Area Operations Manager

Granite Construction • Bakersfield, CA

17h

About The Position

The Area Operations Manager leads production, maintenance, and logistics for Granite’s construction materials business in Southern California, overseeing all aggregates, asphalt, and recycled-material sites. The role supports operations with annual revenue of up to $250 million and requires strong leadership, knowledge of construction-materials production, and a focus on operational safety.

The manager oversees production planning and performance, maintenance and capital projects, team development, safety, health, environmental and quality compliance, and operational budgeting. The role also includes reviewing environmental permits and site compliance, managing production and maintenance costs, and working with the safety department to identify and reduce risks to field personnel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering, engineering, construction management, or business, or equivalent work experience.
• At least 15 years of experience in a mining and materials-processing environment.
• At least 10 years of management experience.
• Proven knowledge of the materials business and experience with hot-mix asphalt and aggregate plants.
• Ability to assess current financial status and forecast monthly, quarterly, and yearly materials-operations results.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with employees at all levels.
• Ability to manage and prioritize resources, people, and projects.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Thorough knowledge of union jurisdiction and labor agreements applicable to the materials business.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including occasionally lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Mechanical knowledge of material-processing plants and heavy equipment.

Responsibilities

• Manage aggregate, asphalt, and concrete production to meet targets while maintaining quality and safety standards.
• Implement and monitor production schedules to optimize resource use and minimize downtime.
• Evaluate production processes and implement improvements to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
• Manage capital budgets and projects; maintain plant efficiency and reliability, update capital plans, and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Manage production and maintenance costs in support of production plans and customer demands.
• Lead, mentor, and motivate the team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide feedback, and identify team training and professional-development needs.
• Enforce safety, health, environmental, and quality protocols and promote a safe environment for employees and visitors.
• Conduct safety meetings, training, and inspections to mitigate risks and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Review environmental permits and conditions for aggregate and asphalt operations at least annually, and schedule on-site reviews to check compliance.
• Develop and manage operational budgets, monitor expenses, and identify cost-optimization opportunities without compromising quality or safety.
• Ensure job hazard analyses identify and communicate workforce risks, and partner with the safety department on training to reduce risks to field operations personnel.
• Comply with and support corporate safety initiatives and champion the company’s Code of Conduct.
• Travel occasionally as required.

Benefits

• Paid holidays and sick leave.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Flexible spending plans and the option to participate in a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account.
• Programs for musculoskeletal health and mental wellness.
• Two PPO medical plans through Anthem BlueCross for salaried employees; Granite pays 100% of the premium for its most popular plan for eligible employees and dependents.
• A 100% match on the first 6% of eligible compensation that salaried employees defer into the 401(k) plan; the match vests immediately.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior