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Refinery Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WI · On-site

As a Manager Refinery Optimization - Texas City , you will be responsible for leading the Refinery ... Provide timely, cost-effective guidance to Operations on plan variances and real-time decision ...

Operations Manager

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$101K - $162K/yr

The Refinery Operations Manager is a strategic partner in refining operations, reporting directly to the Plant Manager, with responsibility for leading the Operations group to achieve required ...

Operations Manager

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$101K - $162K/yr

The Refinery Operations Manager is a strategic partner in refining operations, reporting directly to the Plant Manager, with responsibility for leading the Operations group to achieve required ...

Operations Manager

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$101K - $162K/yr

The Refinery Operations Manager is a strategic partner in refining operations, reporting directly to the Plant Manager, with responsibility for leading the Operations group to achieve required ...

Operations Manager

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$101K - $162K/yr

The Refinery Operations Manager is a strategic partner in refining operations, reporting directly to the Plant Manager, with responsibility for leading the Operations group to achieve required ...

Operations Manager

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$101K - $162K/yr

The Refinery Operations Manager is a strategic partner in refining operations, reporting directly to the Plant Manager, with responsibility for leading the Operations group to achieve required ...

Operations Manager

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$101K - $162K/yr

The Refinery Operations Manager is a strategic partner in refining operations, reporting directly to the Plant Manager, with responsibility for leading the Operations group to achieve required ...

Operations Manager

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$101K - $162K/yr

The Refinery Operations Manager is a strategic partner in refining operations, reporting directly to the Plant Manager, with responsibility for leading the Operations group to achieve required ...

Showing results 41-60

Refinery Operations information

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$9

$24

$49

How much do refinery operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for refinery operations in the United States is $24.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are refinery operations?

Refinery operations involve the processes and activities required to convert crude oil into usable products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petrochemicals. This includes tasks like distillation, cracking, blending, and treating to remove impurities and produce high-quality fuels and chemicals. Operators monitor and control equipment, ensure safety and environmental compliance, and perform routine maintenance to keep the refinery running efficiently. The goal of refinery operations is to maximize output while minimizing costs and environmental impact.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in refinery operations, and why are they important?

To thrive in Refinery Operations, you need a solid understanding of chemical processes, mechanical systems, and safety protocols, often supported by a degree in engineering or relevant technical certifications. Familiarity with process control systems, distributed control systems (DCS), and safety management tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set outstanding operators apart. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant refinery operations in a highly regulated and complex environment.

What are some common challenges faced in refinery operations and how are they typically addressed?

One common challenge in refinery operations is managing the complexity of processes while maintaining strict safety and environmental standards. Operators must constantly monitor equipment and adjust parameters to optimize production, often responding quickly to changing conditions. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as operators frequently collaborate with maintenance, engineering, and safety teams to troubleshoot issues. Regular training and adherence to established protocols help mitigate risks and ensure smooth operations.

What is the difference between Refinery Operations vs Refinery Maintenance Technician?

AspectRefinery OperationsRefinery Maintenance Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical certifications often preferredHigh school diploma; technical certifications or vocational training
Work EnvironmentControl rooms, plant floors, and process areasMaintenance workshops, plant floors, and equipment areas
Employer & Industry UsageRefineries, petrochemical plants, energy companiesRefineries, petrochemical plants, industrial facilities

Refinery Operations focus on managing and controlling the refining process, ensuring safety and efficiency, while Refinery Maintenance Technicians handle equipment repairs and upkeep. Both roles are essential in the refinery industry and often work closely together to maintain smooth plant operations.

What do you do as a refinery operations?

Refinery operations involve overseeing the process of converting crude oil into usable products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. This role includes monitoring equipment, adjusting process parameters, ensuring safety protocols, and maintaining efficiency through the use of control systems and technical skills. Operators often work in shifts and may require certifications like a refinery operator license or safety training.
More about Refinery Operations jobs

What cities are hiring for Refinery Operations jobs?

Cities with the most Refinery Operations job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Refinery Operations jobs?

The most popular types of Refinery Operations jobs are:

What states have the most Refinery Operations jobs?

States with the most job openings for Refinery Operations jobs include:

Infographic showing various Refinery Operations job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,239 per year, or $24.2 per hour.

Manager Refinery Optimization - Texas City

Texas City, TX • On-site

Valero Energy
Oil and Gas Extraction • 5 - 10K employees

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago


Valero rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 72 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Description
Valero is the best-in-class producer of essential fuels and products that are foundational to modern life. We invite you to join our ~10,000 employees to drive exceptional results for our company, the energy industry and our community.
As a Manager Refinery Optimization - Texas City, you will be responsible for leading the Refinery Scheduling and Planning team, including the planning engineer, schedulers, and blenders, while providing backup support for planning and scheduling activities, including execution of optimization models.
At Valero, we are committed to advancing the future of energy through innovation, ingenuity and unmatched execution. You can help achieve this goal if you can:
  • Identify opportunities to improve refinery optimization and overall profitability.
  • Review the monthly Refinery Operating Plan (ROP) and communicate plans with Corporate Planning & Economics and refinery operations.
  • Provide input into the refinery's Strategic Plan development.
  • Issue weekly operating instructions; establish optimal unit targets; plan for turnarounds; approve new feedstocks; and identify economic opportunities.
  • Communicate daily with Corporate Planning & Economics on refinery status, key constraints, and opportunities.
  • Review economic analyses prepared by the Planning Engineer and gain Corporate Planning & Economics approval prior to implementation.
  • Perform and support daily scheduling activities across all process units (e.g., FCC, Alkylation, CCR, hydrotreating, hydrocracking, coking), including operating guidance and product disposition.
  • Manage refinery planning and economics staff, including performance feedback, coaching, career development, and evaluations.
  • Collaborate with Corporate Regional Optimization Engineers to capture optimization synergies across refineries.
  • Provide timely, cost-effective guidance to Operations on plan variances and real-time decision-making.
  • Facilitate daily operating signals based on market conditions and unit configuration.
  • Provide economic and technical expertise for refinery capital projects across all phases, including scoping, design, execution, and startup; support project reviews and presentations to senior management.

This position is salaried exempt status, which means you are not eligible for overtime pay.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
  • Bachelor's or higher level degree in Engineering, required.
  • 10 years of refinery experience, required.
  • Experience using AVEVA Spiral LP model and/or other linear programming/optimization software/techniques, required.
  • Experience or familiarity with refinery scheduling work processes and methodology, required.
  • Able and willing to work in a collaborative, on-site work environment, in-person at the Valero Texas City Refinery, required.

Preferred Requirements:
  • B.S in Chemical Engineering, preferred.
  • Experience or familiarity with gasoline blending/scheduling work processes and methodology, including an understanding of the math/calculations related to the use of gasoline blend correlations, preferred.
  • Experience with day-to-day use of Aspen Petroleum Scheduler (APS) scheduling tools, preferred.

Need more reasons to work for a company that is both professionally challenging and culturally rewarding? Take a look at some of our best-in-class benefits:
  • Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Program
  • 100% match on 401(K) up to 7%, with immediate vesting
  • Company-sponsored Pension Plan
  • Comprehensive Healthcare and Wellness Program

Benefits described above are highlights only, subject to an employee's eligibility and work location.
Discover more about Texas City and how we're making a difference there.
All successful candidates must be eligible to obtain a TWIC card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential). It is Valero's policy that employees must wear this card at all times while working at the refinery. Please review eligibility criteria at https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic.
Position level and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Valero's employees and team-focused culture drive our success. We're invested in our dedicated workforce through a comprehensive, customizable benefits package, while supporting a caring culture that delivers a rewarding work environment built on teamwork, excellence and career growth. To explore the ways we build a stronger team, visit Valero.com/Careers.
Valero is an EEO Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected status, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Please be advised, if you are viewing this position on a website that lists an estimated salary rate/range, it was not provided by Valero. Valero's market specific salary rate/range will be provided during the recruiting process and tends to be higher than what is estimated by such websites.
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