Supervisor, Remote Operations Control Center (ROCC)

Air Liquide•Houston, TX

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Air Liquide Large Industries provides industrial gas and energy solutions vital to customer production. The company owns and operates over 2,000 miles of industrial gas pipelines in the U.S., supplying oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and syngas to major customers in the chemicals, petrochemicals, refining, and steel industries. These operations and production facilities are monitored 24/7 by a leading-edge operations control center in Houston, Texas, which monitors over 89,000 data points to assist with product supply and coordination. The company is committed to optimizing its supply network for reliability and energy efficiency, enabling faster and more effective supply adjustments for customer growth. The ALLI-NAM Daily Production Execution team manages the supply-demand balance for all products, directing operational production for the lowest cost while ensuring short-term supply resilience. The Supervisor, Remote Operations Control Center (ROCC) is part of the ALLI-NAM End-to-End (E2E) Center team, reporting to the ROCC Manager, Real Time Operations. This role involves direct responsibility for the asset dispatch performance of either the Cryogenic (Cold) Desk or the Utilities & Combustion (Hot) Desk. The ROCC operates a flexible, cross-trained personnel matrix where all controllers rotate between desks. This is a 'working supervisor' role requiring the ability to operate the console, enforce PHMSA Control Room Management (CRM) regulations, and ensure safe, compliant dispatch of hazardous gas pipelines.

Requirements

5+ years of hands-on experience working as a controller or operator in a 24/7 industrial plant control room, or a federally regulated pipeline dispatch center, or 3+ years of hands-on experience working in an industrial gas production facility as a plant engineer.
Must demonstrate the ability to stay calm and guide others through high-stress, fast-paced operational emergencies while managing interconnected co-products.
Proven ability to manage personnel in a cross-functional or matrixed environment, separating day-to-day operational coaching from overarching HR and administrative team management.
Proven ability and willingness to pass and maintain all required controller qualifications and simulations for the dual-desk environment.
Deep, practical understanding of industrial gas physics specific to either cryogenic distillation (ASUs) or combustion/reforming (SMRs/Cogeneration) and ideally pipeline hydraulics.
Must intimately understand the operational constraints of (i) SMRs, gas turbines, and high-pressure steam headers and/or (ii) ASUs, liquifiers, and vaporizers and (iii) ideal gas headers.
Advanced proficiency with SCADA systems (e.g., GeoSCADA), PHMSA-compliant alarm management systems, and historian software (e.g., AVEVA PI).
Associate’s degree in Process Technology, Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Chemical Engineering, or equivalent extensive hands-on operational and leadership experience in a regulated environment.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of PHMSA Control Room Management (CRM) regulations and Operator Qualification (OQ)

Responsibilities

Serve as the dedicated HR and administrative supervisor for a consistent group of 5 controllers.
Act as the tactical shift leader for either the Cryogenic or the Utilities & Combustion desk, operationally directing the assigned desk.
Manage controller scheduling coverage adjustments for all 10 Controllers.
Ensure that shift changes are completed effectively amongst the entire controller team.
Partner with the ROCC Manager, Real Time Operations to drive the operational and commercial success of the Utilities & Combustion and Cryogenic portfolio.
Guide controllers in managing complex co-product relationships balancing efficient performance to ensure uninterrupted customer supply.
Identify & assign improvement projects for the Controllers for the specific products assigned within your scope.
Serve as the direct manager for a dedicated 5 cross-trained ROCC controllers, conducting annual performance reviews, managing career development, and overseeing scheduling, vacation coverage and payroll.
Partner with the ROCC Manager, Real Time Operations to ensure all 10 controllers maintain dual-qualifications.
Ensure assigned 5 direct reports are continuously competent to operate both asset portfolios seamlessly.
Enforce compliance to PHMSA CRM regulations (49 CFR 192/195) for the Utilities desk, and ensure the organization is also applying these best practices to the Cryogenic console.
Monitor Hours of Service (HOS) and fatigue management protocols for the controller team, and oversee alarm management/rationalization on your specific console.
Complete and maintain full technical qualifications and Operator Qualification (OQ) standards required to operate both consoles.
Step in, as necessary, to act as a Controller for relief, absences, or take direct command of your assigned desk during complex pipeline transients or extreme abnormal operating conditions (AOCs).
Act as the immediate escalation point for controllers when complex physical constraints arise in the field and/or during sudden asset trips or customer volatility on the assigned desk, including commodity pricing volatility.
Facilitate and mediate communication between the console and plant personnel, ensuring controllers properly communicate equipment deratings and adjust their operational strategy accordingly.
Act as the immediate escalation point when thermal limits, compressor anomalies, production / balance anomalies (including leak detection) arise with physical assets including the pipeline network.
Serve as the initial incident commander during sudden asset trips, abnormal operating conditions, and emergencies, immediately executing PHMSA-compliant emergency response procedures to ensure operational safety before escalating to the ROCC Manager.