Region Manager

The Opportunity

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.

Scope of the role:

• Responsible for 35 to 50 mmbf (~235,000-335,000 tons) annual harvest and silviculture budget across 270,000 acres of high-quality timberland owned by several clients. 

• Ensure the silviculture operations and investments meet or exceed expectations.

• Manage all operations to attain environmental stewardship objectives and maintain Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certification standards.

• Lead timber harvesting operations to include safety, stewardship, harvest administration, log and hauling price negotiations or bidding, timber marketing, inventory, and contractor relations.

• Lead MFM and property level budget development and management.

• Provide quarterly updates to budgets and report variances.

• Provide leadership for cost management efforts, achieve return expectations, and understand discounted cash flow analysis.

• Develop and maintain a strong relationship with team members involved with client management, acquisitions, dispositions, business development, and financial accounting functions.

• Develop and maintain relationships with regulatory agencies, local elected officials, and concerned stakeholders.

• Service the information and communication needs of the region and coordinate with MFM leadership and other MFM/MIMTA teams. 

• Lead areas of employee, client, community, regulatory and industry relations; communications; employee safety; and real estate transactions.

• Assist with property dispositions and acquisitions.

• Promote staff development and engagement for retention and employee satisfaction.

• Supervise timber security procedures and loss prevention.

• Maintain preferred supplier status by meeting log delivery and specie targets and lead negotiations on wood supply agreements.  

• Knowledgeable of Sustainable Forestry Initiative (‘SFI’) objectives and standards.

• Knowledgeable in all areas of asset management.

Position 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

Required Qualifications:

• 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.

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.

• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [email protected].

Referenced Salary Location

Salary range is expected to be between

Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [email protected] for the salary range for your location.

Manulife/John Hancock offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including 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. We also offer eligible employees 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. Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes 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, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.

We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement.

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