Sr Mgr Gas Operations

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

This position will have oversight of Gas Operations in Kalamazoo, Jackson, Hastings, Adrian, and Marshall service territories.

The Senior Manager of Gas Operations leads a team of Managers responsible for safe and efficient operations of the distribution natural gas system infrastructure. The incumbent will have oversight of program budgets and monthly forecasting of units and dollars. They will be required to leverage their knowledge of PHMSA and MPSC Regulation to navigate the 2500+ code compliance requirements. Senior Managers are responsible for Gas Operations Specialty functions such as commercial and industrial, welding, regulation, cathodic and control work. They will provide guidance on escalated items concerning gas related incidents and coworker engagements.

This position will develop and implement high-level, long-term strategic and tactical plans to ensure corporate objectives are met, and financial programs are adhered to. They will also support and lead large statewide projects, safety actions, lean initiatives, strategic planning, and emergent situations. This position will also represent the company at industry events while fostering relationships internally and externally to establish and execute companywide planning to ensure compliance while delivering on commitments to our regulator and communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Industry Leadership & External Engagement – Represent the company on a national scale through active participation in gas industry forums such as; AGA, MEA , and other industry leadership forums. Lead and support regulatory rate cases, risk management initiatives, tariff compliance, and media engagement efforts.
• Lean Coaching & Organizational Development (CE Way) – Coach and sponsor Lean methodologies-including visual management, standard work, problem-solving, and continuous improvement-while mentoring and guiding Managers through complex escalations and cross-functional leadership challenges.
• Labor Relations & Union Partnership – Collaborate with Labor Relations and union leadership to resolve contract disputes and grievances while strategically supporting contract negotiation and implementation across zonal areas.
• Enterprise Metrics & Performance Reviews – Own and manage critical company and MPSC metrics such as EICP, Leak Backlog, NSIF, and safety performance, presenting operating reviews at executive levels to drive transparency and accountability. Align departmental actions with broader business objectives and cross-functional interdependencies to ensure cohesive organizational success.
• Safety & Crisis Response Management – Champion a statewide safety culture by developing and executing strategic safety plans and incident countermeasures across multiple zones. Serve as Incident Commander during critical events, leading the creation and implementation of Incident Action Plans to advance ICS protocols and training programs.
• Strategic Oversight & Regulatory/Compliance Excellence – Ensure compliance with over 2,500 federal and state gas code requirements through meticulous planning, execution, and oversight, while interpreting complex engineering designs, procedures, and load calculations to drive operational excellence. Lead investigations into process and standard violations, implementing corrective actions aligned with code interpretation and regulatory compliance.
• Operational & Financial Leadership – Oversee specialty gas operations spanning welding, control systems, industrial and commercial service, regulation, and cathodic protection, while leading multi-million-dollar financial programs through KPI-driven forecasting and budget management. Authorize operational and maintenance requisitions and steer statewide strategic initiatives with clearly defined milestones and performance metrics.
• Emergency Response and Preparedness – Coordinate and execute emergency response plans for natural gas utility incidents, ensuring rapid containment, public safety, and regulatory compliance. Develop and maintain preparedness strategies, including training, drills, and interagency collaboration, to enhance readiness for critical events and system disruptions.
• Other duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Apply corporate safety protocols and lead statewide safety initiatives with a deep understanding of environmental compliance requirements in the gas utility sector.
• This role requires the ability to make high-stakes decisions under pressure, communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, and ensure operational continuity through strategic preparedness initiatives and real-time crisis management.
• Expert level knowledge of incident command systems (ICS), regulatory compliance standards and utility-specific emergency protocols. They must demonstrate advanced skills in developing and executing coordinated and comprehensive emergency response plans.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including executive-level presentation capabilities, enable effective engagement with senior leadership and BOD. Recognized as a trusted advisor in rate case ruling, media engagement, tariff compliance.
• Skilled in negotiating union agreements at both local and statewide levels, with deep experience interpreting and operating within complex labor contracts. Maintains strong collaborative relationships across departments to ensure strong labor relations.
• Proven success in managing O&M and Capital funding programs through strategic budgeting and forecasting, while making high-stakes decisions under pressure with precision and control.
• Knowledge of natural gas procedures and industry practices that comply with PHMSA and MPSC Regulations and Code Requirements and enable relationships with the MPSC and Commission Safety Engineers during high pressure emergent situations
• Extensive experience in Lean Application (CE Way), including waste elimination, automation, and structured problem-solving frameworks, paired with a strong ability to guide teams through operational reviews, standard work development, and visual management
• Possess expert knowledge of Federal Rules and MPSC State Code (PHMSA and MPSC regulations) ensuring code compliance during daily operations while maintaining strong relationships with regulatory agencies to effectively navigate emergent scenarios.
• Demonstrated leadership in gas operations including commercial and industrial service, welding, regulation, cathodic protection, and control systems paired with expertise in interpreting engineering designs, complex procedures, and load calculations.

education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Technical or Business related field with 7 years of experience in related gas system or leadership experience

• [OR] Associate’s Degree in a Technical or Business related field with 9 years of experience in related gas system or leadership experience

• [OR] High School Diploma with 11 years of experience in related gas system or leadership experience

Physical Demands

• This role is classified by the company as safety-sensitive (SCCO). Employees in this role will be subject to random drug testing.
• This role is regulated under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). This regulation covers functions in pipeline operations, pipeline maintenance or pipeline emergency-response. Employees in this role will be subject to random drug testing in accordance with the regulations set forth by the PHMSA.