Region Manager

Manulife • La Grande, OR

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Region Manager is responsible for all Manulife Forest Management (MFM) operations on approximately 270,000 acres of client-owned properties located in Northeast Oregon. The role reports to the Chief Operating Officer of Western Operations and is a key member of the Western Operations Leadership Team. A variety of investors own the properties managed by MFM. The Region Manager has a primary responsibility of ensuring client returns meet or exceed industry benchmarks while ensuring the region operates safely and exhibits outstanding corporate and environmental stewardship in the local communities. This position is responsible for all senior level operations assignments including silviculture, harvesting, marketing, merchandising, transportation systems, land use, stakeholder interactions and fiduciary oversight for MIMTA (Manulife Investment Management Timberland & Agriculture) timberland investments within the Northeast Oregon Region. These tasks will be performed in a team environment involving MFM and MIMTA personnel.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in forestry or related field is a minimum, graduate degree is preferred.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in an operations focused position.
• Must be self-motivated with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative team player.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, supervise and develop high-performing, cohesive teams.
• Must have strong oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to effectively communicate with neighbors, general public and various stakeholders that promotes a positive image of MFM.
• Demonstrate strong computer and analytical skills.
• Client service oriented and effective negotiator.
• In depth working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Clear understanding of MFM/MIMTA business model.
• Occasional overnight travel to other locations for meetings, training, client tours, and other functions.

Nice To Haves

• graduate degree is preferred

Responsibilities

• Manage three direct reports and several (2-3) indirect reports.
• Build core competencies of the team.
• Annual harvest budget preparation and plan execution.
• Oversee delivered log sale program including negotiation and revisions to wood supply agreements (WSAs) and tracking of WSA delivery commitments.
• Participate in appropriate regional and state-wide industry associations and committees.
• Manage properties that have debt to ensure compliance with applicable debt covenants.
• Manage REIT and UBTI sensitive properties for REIT compliant income and tax penalty avoidance.
• Identify strategic initiatives to enhance client returns through superior market knowledge, development and execution of other non-timber revenue streams such as fee-based recreation programs, grazing licenses, communication sites, wind energy projects, and others.
• Execute, administer, and leverage contracts for harvesting, merchandising, marketing, and sales.
• Balance fiduciary aspects of managing multiple client investments to achieve client equitability.
• Operational and financial forecasting of wood flows and associated revenues and expenses.
• Update inventory and mapping systems to reflect operational plans and results.
• Lead role in meeting “on the ground” SFI certification standards, stewardship goals, and corporate policy compliance.
• Gather and analyze market intelligence information.
• Uphold highest fiduciary standards to all clients of MFM and MIMTA.
• Represent MFM in a professional manner on all committees, boards, etc.
• Accomplish special projects as needed and assigned.
• Review easement or other neighbor access requests.

Benefits

• health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans.
• various retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources.
• up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year
• full range of statutory leaves of absence.

What This Job Offers

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