Head of Operations Training

Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery, located in North Lincolnshire, is a key asset of the Prax Group, a British multinational energy conglomerate dealing in crude oil, petroleum products and biofuels. The refinery processes up to 5.4 million tonnes of crude oil per year and incorporates some of the most advanced refining and conversion processes in Europe, supplying products by road, rail, sea and pipeline. We are investing heavily for the long-term with a plan to develop a leading, low carbon next generation refinery serving our customers for decades to come.

We are currently recruiting for the position of Head of Operations Training, which is a key leadership role within the Refinery, responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive training strategy for operational personnel across the site. This position plays a critical role in driving operational excellence, safety, and continuous improvement while ensuring all training initiatives align with industry regulations and organisational goals.

As the Head of Operations Training, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including department heads and HR, to identify training needs, design curricula, and ensure the effective delivery of training programs. You will be responsible for managing a team of Operations Training Leaders and contribute to building a culture of high performance, safety, and efficiency across the refinery.

Key responsibilities include:

• Training Strategy Development & Implementation: Develop and implement a comprehensive training strategy tailored for operational personnel, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and industry standards. Regularly assess training needs through collaboration with department heads and performance evaluations. Design and maintain training curricula that meet regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Training Program Oversight: Oversee the delivery of all training programs, including onboarding, compliance, safety, and skills enhancement courses. Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and implement improvements as needed.
• Team Leadership & Management: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Operations Training Leaders, providing guidance to improve their skills and performance. Foster a collaborative and supportive environment to enhance team capabilities and ensure the successful execution of training programs.
• Budget Management & Reporting: Create and manage the training budget, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources. Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior management on training outcomes, strategic initiatives, and progress.
• Competence Development & Succession Planning: Lead competence development initiatives for operators, technicians, and contractors, ensuring alignment with refinery standards. Conduct performance reviews and assist in succession planning efforts, supporting career development and progression.
• Safety and Compliance: Ensure training programs align with the refinery's HSEQI objectives and industry safety standards. Support the coaching of engineers, operations staff, and technicians during turnarounds, including safety and HSSE management.
• Process Improvement & Performance Monitoring: Identify areas for improvement in training effectiveness and take appropriate action to address them. Conduct Safety Critical task observations and follow-up to ensure timely and quality delivery of actions.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Mentorship & Training for New Employees: Provide training and mentorship for new staff, apprentices, and additional personnel. Conduct regular competency reviews for experienced operators to ensure continuous professional development.
• Support Recruitment & Competence Assessment: Assist in recruitment processes, performance monitoring, and the selection of personnel. Lead competence assessments for both LOR and contractor personnel, focusing on tasks related to control systems and equipment.
• Technical Support & Coaching: Provide ongoing technical support, training, and coaching to Prax staff and contractors, particularly during turnarounds and critical projects. Develop and conduct specific training courses (e.g., respirator safety, gas testing, minor mechanical skills, etc.).

Qualifications/Experience Required:

The ideal candidate will preferably hold a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field; however, extensive demonstrated leadership experience in refinery operations can be equally valuable. With approximately 10 years of industry experience, the candidate should have a strong track record in training and development within the Oil & Energy sector, particularly in operational roles. The candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a focus on employee development and mentoring.
• Ability to assess training needs and develop strategic training plans tailored to operational personnel.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage diverse audiences and collaborate effectively across teams.
• Strong analytical skills to measure training effectiveness and make data-driven decisions.
• Familiarity with training technologies and e-learning platforms is highly desirable.

A comprehensive remuneration package is offered for this position which includes a competitive salary and attractive employee benefits such as company pension, private healthcare, performance bonus.