Operations Superintendent

Overview

The Operations Superintendent will serve as Vema's on-the-ground operational leader at the company's Quebec pilot and development sites near Thetford Mines. This role is the field execution authority for all site activities, including well construction, drilling, stimulation, testing, and early production operations. The Operations Superintendent works closely with Vema's engineering and research teams to translate technical programs into safe, cost-effective, on-schedule field operations.

This is a critical hire as Vema scales its Engineered Mineral Hydrogen (EMH) technology from pilot to commercial demonstration. The ideal candidate brings direct field supervisory experience from oil and gas, geothermal, mining, or a closely analogous industry, and is equally comfortable running daily operations as building the systems and contractor relationships that a growing program demands.

Responsibilities

- Planning & Program Management

- Develop and maintain detailed operational plans, schedules, and procedures for drilling, completion, stimulation, testing, and production phases.

- Coordinate with Vema engineers and scientists to translate technical programs into practical, sequenced field execution plans.

- Identify operational risks in advance and develop contingency plans to protect schedule and budget.

- Manage day-to-day site logistics and ensure all materials, equipment, and personnel are in place ahead of operational needs.

- Supply Chain & Vendor Management

- Identify, qualify, and contract service companies, equipment suppliers, and specialist contractors required for site operations.

- Issue scopes of work, evaluate bids, and negotiate service agreements in coordination with the CFO.

- Manage on-site vendor performance to ensure compliance with Vema's technical, safety, and schedule requirements.

- Build and maintain a reliable local and regional supply chain for recurring operational needs.

- Supervisory & Team Management

- Directly supervise on-site contractor personnel during all active operational phases.

- Serve as the primary on-site safety authority; enforce and model compliance with all applicable Quebec and federal health, safety, and environmental regulations.

- Recruit, onboard, and manage field contractors and any direct-hire site staff.

- Conduct pre-operations meetings, job safety analyses (JSAs), and shift handover briefings.

- Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement on site.

- Lead incident investigations and ensure timely reporting and corrective action.

- Cost Estimation & Cost Control

- Prepare detailed cost estimates and work with engineer to submit AFEs for management approval.

- Track daily costs against approved AFEs and provide timely variance analysis and forecasts.

- Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising safety or technical objectives.

- Review and approve vendor invoices for accuracy against contracted scopes and rates.

- Reporting & Communication

- Produce daily operational reports with sufficient technical detail and maintain accurate records of all field activities, including wellbore data, equipment performance, fluid volumes, and non-productive time.

- Communicate operational status, issues, and decisions clearly and promptly to the engineering team and company leadership.

- Represent Vema professionally in interactions with regulatory bodies, landowners, and community stakeholders.

Qualifications Required

- Minimum 7 years of field operations experience in oil and gas, geothermal, or mining, with at least 3 years in a direct supervisory role (Well Site Manager, Drilling Superintendent, Operations Superintendent, or equivalent).

- Hands-on supply chain engagement: scoping, contracting, and managing third-party service providers in the field.

- Strong technical writing skills; capable of producing complete, well-organized operational reports without coaching.

- Proficiency with standard computer tools including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); comfort with digital field reporting and project management platforms.

- Fluency in French and English (bilingual); operations at the Thetford Mines site involve French-speaking contractors and regulatory authorities.

Qualifications Preferred

- Bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering, mining engineering, geology, mechanical engineering, or a related technical discipline.

- Prior experience managing operations in Quebec, with established contractor relationships in the region.

- Exposure to early-stage or startup environments where procedures and systems are still being built.

Compensation & Benefits

- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience and relevant market benchmarks

- Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) grant, providing meaningful equity participation in Vema's growth

- Opportunity to define operational systems and culture at a critical inflection point in the company's development

Pay: $100,000.00-$180,000.00 per year

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Thetford Mines, QC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Language:

- French (preferred)

Work Location: In person