District Manager, Management

District Manager – Columbus District

Rayonier is seeking a visionary and result-driven leader to take ownership of our Columbus District. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for integrating every aspect of timberland management for a district of approximately 275,000 acres. As the District Manager, you function as the primary architect of your district’s success—from developing capital budgets to ensuring that silviculture, harvesting, and transportation activities are executed to the highest standard.

You will provide the vision and leadership necessary to implement safety and environmental programs, and you serve as the driving force ensuring our large‑scale district operations return maximum value to the organization.

• Strategic Leader – Lead, supervise, and direct a diverse staff of foresters to achieve district objectives while coaching and mentoring them to excel and grow within the organization.
• Financial Decision Maker – Own the profit/loss responsibility for the district, meeting quarterly and annual financial objectives and cost‑control targets.
• Tactical Planner – Lead tactical-level harvest planning and prepare annual timber harvest plans that optimize log deliveries to ensure they are on time, on spec, and meet quality standards.
• Cross‑Functional Partner – Work closely with real estate staff to stratify the land base for non‑strategic properties and other value‑added opportunities.
• Community Ambassador – Maintain strong relationships with local communities, state and federal agencies, and other key stakeholders.

• District Ownership – Manage the implementation of short‑ and long‑term forest management plans, including inventory, transportation, and environmental compliance.
• Operational Oversight – Provide direct oversight of logging and expanded silviculture activities, including site preparation, reforestation, pre‑commercial/commercial thinning, and fertilization.
• Financial Mastery – Prepare and manage annual capital and operating budgets; monitor industry conditions and market reports to negotiate pricing and volume with outside customers.
• Market Optimization – Market wood products to ensure best use and lowest cost, maximizing the total value of the forest asset.
• Safety Leadership – Conduct safety meetings, review near‑misses, and ensure full compliance with safety programs, forest stewardship principles, and BMPs.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in forestry required; master’s degree in a related field preferred.

Experience: Minimum of ten (10) years of forestry experience, including at least five (5) years of supervisory experience.

• Core Competencies: Strong leadership, negotiation, and organizational skills with the ability to communicate across all levels of management, contractors and the public.
• Technical Expertise: Intermediate proficiency in MS Office, basic proficiency in forest management information systems and GIS (ArcGIS preferred).
• Professional
  
  Skills:
  
  Highly developed communication and organizational skills with the ability to lead project teams efficiently.

This role requires extensive physical activity, including hiking across varied terrain (uneven ground, slopes, wetlands, and dense vegetation), carrying equipment and supplies, and performing strenuous tasks such as inventory measurements and sale setup. The work involves maintaining stability on uneven surfaces, navigating obstacles, and working in challenging positions, often outdoors in diverse weather conditions. Operating machinery, power tools, and motor vehicles are also required.

Some travel (approximately 10%) is required.

• Medical, dental, vision, life, accident, disability, and identity theft protection.
• Paid parental and caregiver leave; paid sick leave; paid personal days; paid holidays; and paid vacation.
• Health savings account, dependent‑care spending account, and employee assistance plan.
• Wellness reimbursements, home‑office reimbursements, wellness incentives, and wellness seminars.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching (60% match on the first 6% of base and bonus deferrals) and an enhanced retirement contribution (3%) that does not require an employee contribution.
• Employee development program, mentorship, leadership development, training programs, and 80% tuition reimbursement.
• Flexibility with hybrid work from home options and flexible work schedules.