Commercial Ops Mgr, Benzene Americas

LyondellBasell

Basic Function

As Commercial Operations Manager Benzene-Styrene you will be in charge of managing material movement operations for our Styrene Co-Products business unit. Your scope will cover all product flows that originate, arrive or transit through the supply region, including handling of purchase for resale, on-the-water purchase and sales operations and other trading-related activities. 

You will manage product movements from supply to delivery point in an operationally excellent manner.  Working closely with product traders in a fast-paced business environment, your contributions will maximize value-add and business optimization opportunities. As the trader’s key internal business partner, this role provides a strong foundation to higher level trading and commercial positions in future.

You will coordinate and monitor the execution of material movements  and ensure the correct handling of the shipments as well as maintaining accurate, strategic, and real-time inventory positions for your assigned business area.  Utilizing analytical and forecasting tools to understand challenges, your insights support the Co-Products business and directly impact cash flow.

As Commercial Operations Manager Benzene-Styrene, you will interface with multiple internal stakeholders (Logistics Operations, Operations Planning, Marketing, Sales, Business, Customs, Tax, Legal, etc.) and external stakeholders (terminals, vessel owners, surveyors, ship brokers, suppliers, customers, agents, cargo / freight traders, etc.).  
 

Roles & Responsibilities

• Schedules and coordinates all activities required to execute planned commercial and operational obligations from deals confirmed by the Business
• Drives short-term commercial and operational optimizations: 
  • Works with trader to understand business mandate for required product movements as well as commercial conditions
  • Act as focal point for all related operations that are part of the deal that impact the ship-point region
  • Leverages business acumen to proactively create value by executing commercial and logistical solutions
• Collaboration and issue resolution:
  • Acts as coordinator and facilitates resolution should any shipment issues arise (including pricing, invoicing, customs, quality, quantity, etc.)
  • Manages cargo operations: off-spec issues, cargo readiness, scheduling, blending ship/cargo and date range nominations to ensure supply integrity and successful implementation of commercial business/supply intent 
  • Facilitates communication across the internal and external stakeholder groups.  Proactively provides solutions to time-sensitive needs in a composed manner
• Advanced knowledge and Subject Matter Expert (‘SME’):
  • Act as the main point of contact and SME regarding incoterms and commercial implications that movements of material have on deals. Material movements may be via barge, vessel, pipeline, rail, or truck 
  • Makes (independent) business decisions to ensure Business needs are met accurately and on time
  • Document all processes, procedures, benchmarks, and analysis performed accordingly 
• Manages end-to-end material movements process: Monitors and ensures shipments are properly handled through to delivery to customer within ERP system (SAP); 
  • Manages overall material in transit, third party inventory storage, and exchange agreements 
  • Maintains SAP daily activities including, amongst others, entering and executing transactions related to several flows (production, sales, purchases, etc.)
  • Reconciles stocks and handles ongoing shipments in SAP during Month End Close (MEC) after receipt of terminal MEC reports/shipment documents.  Partners with inventory accounting to reconcile MEC stock positions, ensuring hedged inventory coincides with in-tank physical volumes (MEC).
  • Forecast and plan ahead to accommodate inbound and outbound shipments, utilizing appropriate scheduling and optimum transportation modes
  • Support post-deal activities such as settlements, customs clearance, demurrage and claims; ensure that all necessary operational information is passed on in good time; ensure that adequate records are filed to meet the company’s legal and fiscal obligations
• Ensures that all activities are conducted within appropriate authority limits, following regulatory, customs, SOX and tax requirements

Min. Qualifications

• At minimum Bachelor’s degree required 
• Technical discipline and/or MBA strongly preferred
• The ideal candidate will have at least 6 years’ relevant, industry related experience.
• Previous experience working in a commodity business (traded-products) environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Detailed know