Commodity Manager Rail

Company:

INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA

Interested in joining a winning team? A team whose employees are empowered to make a difference?

Grade: 36 -37 commensurate with experience

Organizational context and job purpose

Business Context: 

Headquartered in League City, TX, INEOS Olefins and Polymers USA is one of the largest producers of Olefins and Polyolefins in North America.  Ineos produces high-density polyethylene and polypropylene from one of its manufacturing locations at Battleground Manufacturing Complex.

The O&P USA business includes the product lines Ethylene, Propylene, Butadiene, Polypropylene, and Polyethylene.  Manufacturing sites include Chocolate Bayou Works (Alvin, TX), Battleground Manufacturing Complex (La Porte, TX), and Carson (Carson, CA), with a division office in League City, TX.   

The Main Purpose of the Role: 

The Commodity Manager, Rail is responsible for developing the commercial rail strategy as well as the execution of that strategy for all of North America for INEOS O&P USA, INEOS Nitriles, INEOS Oligomers, INEOS Oxide, and INEOS Phenol. The North American rail strategy is shaped by the commercial strategies of the 5 INEOS businesses supported.

The Commodity Manager, Rail manages the direct procurement activity over all of the rail-related supply chain networks, identifying and implementing optimization opportunities taking into account market conditions and the various site-related activities and requirements.

The Commodity Manager works closely with the INEOS businesses as well as the Supply Chain Operations groups to achieve world-class delivery and maximum value in the area of rail freight, rail equipment lease, railcar storage, equipment maintenance, and integrated third-party service providers, and site logistics services.

In addition to direct procurement responsibilities for the five INEOS businesses, the Commodity Manager Rail also provides expertise and leverage to the North American Procurement Network which brings together the rail procurement needs of all of the INEOS businesses operating in North America to build volume and lower cost across all the INEOS businesses.

Responsibilities AND Accountabilities

Accountability 1:   Develop the commercial procurement strategy and execution for rail services across the INEOS businesses in North America (O&P, Oligomers, Nitriles, Oxide, and Phenol).

Most important activities:

• Maintain deep knowledge of the markets

• Communicate industry trends to the operating group in all five companies and the North American Procurement network

• Identify emerging market trends and create proactive measures to provide competitive logistics costs and service levels

• Participate in industry associations and seminars to keep abreast of the latest trends

• Understand the changing regulatory environment in the transportation industry and how that impacts the procurement needs of the businesses

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with other subject matter experts in Supply Chain Operations, Sales, Manufacturing, Business Management, and Site Logistics leads

• Develop and maintain key contacts within all levels of the organization of critical suppliers

Development of Commercial Strategy includes: RFI, RFP, bid tab review & evaluation

Work close with Supply Operations around needs/strategy

Quarterly Rail Strategy meeting with the INEOS businesses

Negotiate and execute contracts

Accountability 2: Delivering measurable financial improvements to all five businesses is a key component of positive cash delivery at the bottom of the business cycle.

Most important activities:

• Establish a robust RFP process that allows for price discovery in the market

• Negotiate favorable pricing on purchased rail services and equipment

• Deliver lowest cost rail freight, equipment, and site logistics services to INEOS.

• Understand cost and value across the whole supply chain

• Use leverage to gain favorable economics for other INEOS businesses in the North American Procurement network.

• Manages the use of internal/external resources to achieve stated goals, objectives, and various projects.

Accountability 3: Negotiate rail service provider performance metrics to capture the value and improve efficiency as a part of the overall commercial negotiation process

Most important activities:

• Assists and ensures compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

• Ensures compliance with all HSSE standards internally and with all 3rd Party providers

Accountability 4: Integrate Rail procurement strategy with O&P business strategy

Most important activities:

• Partner with O&P businesses and other INEOS USA businesses to develop rail freight procurement strategies that are consistent with the business strategy.

• Share subject matter expertise with the businesses supported.

• Work with businesses to understand the service offer for Key Customers and negotiate the lowest cost delivery options to support the service offer.

• SPA for bidding and contract negotiations

• Partner with O&P business to facilitate carrier performance reviews to provide feedback on operational performance and opportunities for improvement.

• Ensure full compliance with American Railroad (AAR), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Federal Railroad Association (FRA)

• Partner with O&P business to oversee proper invoicing of suppliers

Skills & Knowledge Required

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree minimum; Technical degree preferred
• 7+ years of rail experience minimum
• Commercial, logistic, and transportation experience required preferably rail
• Certification in Procurement / Supply Chain Management preferred

Skills/Competencies

Technical skills:

• Strong negotiation skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Commercial and contract administration experience
• Keen understanding of site operations Innovative
• Strategic thinking
• Transportation Operations Internal Railroad Operating practices

Behavioral skills

• Leadership
• Performance bias
• Team building
• Impact and influence horizontally and vertically across the organization

Candidates must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Our culture is one of honesty and integrity with an emphasis on safety, health and environmental performance.On our team, people are acknowledged for embracing new practices that help create real value for customers.