Process Optimization Manager

Veolia•Jersey City, NJ

About The Position

Lead operational excellence and regulatory strategy across Veolia’s contract treatment facility portfolio. Combine regulatory expertise with data-driven process operations and management to maintain high standards of compliance and operational effectiveness. Serve as a technical bridge between executive strategy, regulatory requirements, and implementation across multiple projects, driving continuous improvement and supporting operational and water quality compliance teams. The role provides technical guidance on water and wastewater treatment processes, conducts and oversees data analytics to improve system performance, and develops regional compliance frameworks aligned with the Safe Drinking Water Act, state regulations, and industry best practices. It also supports quality assurance, staff training, strategic planning, vendor collaboration, and communication with executive boards, municipal clients, regulatory agencies, and facility teams. Work is primarily performed in an office and at water and wastewater treatment facilities. Occasional travel to facility sites, meetings, and client locations may be required. Employees may encounter outdoor conditions, industrial equipment, chemicals, and wastewater environments and must follow applicable safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field such as Environmental Science, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
At least 15 years of experience in water/wastewater compliance, regulatory affairs, and technical process operations.
Experience with data analytics, QA/QC program management, and laboratory oversight.
Deep knowledge of Safe Drinking Water Act requirements and state and federal regulatory frameworks.
Demonstrated project management and strategic planning skills.
Strong communication skills and ability to translate technical and regulatory concepts for diverse audiences.
Ability to provide matrix leadership as a technical lead, mentor, and advisor to field operations teams without direct hierarchical authority.
Ability to collaborate effectively with regulatory agencies, executive leaders, municipal clients, vendors, contractors, and decentralized facility teams.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree such as an MS or MBA; a technical MS is highly preferred.
Background in process operations, engineering, or treatment optimization.
Deep technical expertise in analytical chemistry, laboratory instrumentation data, process control, and data management systems used to optimize active treatment processes.
Water and wastewater operator licenses, a Professional Engineer (PE) license, or other relevant water-industry credentials.

Responsibilities

Provide technical consultation on process controls, troubleshooting, water and wastewater treatment optimization, and regulatory interpretation.
Oversee and implement efficiency improvements in coagulation and flocculation, oxidation and disinfection, disinfection byproduct formation, corrosion control, distribution water quality, TOC removal, sludge management and disposal, and wastewater nutrient removal.
Conduct and oversee data analytics programs to monitor system performance, identify inefficiencies, and drive operational improvements.
Develop and implement regional compliance frameworks aligned with Municipal Services Water Quality and Compliance Team goals, the SDWA, state regulations, and industry best practices.
Serve as a regional liaison among regulatory agencies, facility operations teams, and executive leadership.
Promote operational excellence across decentralized plant portfolios and guide teams toward voluntary industry standards such as Area Wide Optimization (AWOP) or Partnership for Safe Water goals.
Collaborate with chemical and equipment suppliers and contractors to evaluate treatment technologies that may reduce sludge production, lower chemical consumption, and support O&M budgets.
Deliver technical presentations to executive boards, municipal clients, and on-site utility teams.
Build relationships with other Municipal Services Teams to identify gaps and support project-level implementation.
Lead, train, and support project staff in implementing the laboratory operations plan (QA/QC), validating monitoring and reporting protocols, and ensuring accuracy.
Assist the Municipal Services Water Quality and Compliance Team with compliance audits, skills and gap analyses, and recommendations for remediation and training initiatives across the facility network.