Director, Optimization & Operations Planning

Directly responsible for leading and managing the asset management and operations planning process for the Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Specialties Polyethylene businesses in North America. This includes oversight of the Louisiana Integrated Polymers Joint Venture LDPE and LLDPE assets, as well as multiple internal and external compounding tollers. Key responsibilities include acting as a liaison between the commercial, manufacturing, and technical groups, along with demand forecasting, production planning, and inventory management, in alignment with commercial and operational strategies.

The position plays a critical role in business optimization by providing analytical support and establishing specific operation and commercial targets aimed at achieving optimal economic performance across various business units. It identifies and drives opportunities from a holistic business perspective that spans sites, functions, and business lines, while also developing and maintaining essential evaluation methodologies and tools.

As a key management position, this role carries significant decision-making responsibility due to the economic impact and the high level of cross-functional integration and alignment required. The position also provides leadership and coaching for a team of 5 direct and 11 indirect employees.

• Strategic Leadership: Serve as a key member of the Polyolefins Americas Team, contributing to the overall profitability of the Polyolefins business.
• Operational Oversight: Lead a team responsible for operational planning and execution across the Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Specialties Polyethylene businesses, encompassing over 10 billion pounds of production and sales.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Manage a team of asset managers who act as the primary interface between Manufacturing, Sales, Marketing, Raw Materials Supply, and Supply Chain, driving the development of short and long-term strategies, and contingency plans.
• Working Capital Optimization: Optimize working capital needs, monitor performance against plans, and recommend improvements to enhance business results.
• KPI Development: Create and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational reporting frameworks to provide transparency and track performance versus targets.
• Initiative Analysis: Analyze the impact of key improvement initiatives, including reductions in non-productive stock, aged inventory, idle railcars, reactor transitions, and suboptimal shipments, and provide guidance to monomer and supply chain management.
• End-to-End Process Optimization: Ensure seamless coordination between polymers and olefins to maximize integrated asset performance, driving efficiency in forecast-to-plan and produce-to-deliver processes.
• Process Refinement: Maintain and improve business processes for coordinating monthly production, sales, and inventory controls to maximize performance. Collaborate with IT and stakeholders to ensure efficient systems and processes.
• Optimization of Business Results: Balance customer requirements, plant utilization and inventory levels to maximize business outcomes. Share best practices and align processes with global counterparts.
• Conflict and Shortage Resolution: Manage product shortages, grade availability conflicts, and excess inventories to minimize customer disruption and achieve the best overall outcome for LyondellBasell while maintaining inventory control.
• Team Development: Lead, coach, and develop team members to ensure high performance, innovation, and results orientation. Foster a knowledgeable and efficient team culture that emphasizes personal growth and professional development.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing or supply chain management or related fieldrequired
• MBA degree in relevant field preferred.
• Typically, ten years or more of relevant commercial, planning or manufacturing experience, or combination of manufacturing, commercial and planning experience Demonstrated competence in managing effective business processes.
• Good knowledge of the relevant LyondellBasell market segments, products, assets and supply chain processes
• Management skills to steer and coach the team.
• Structured approach to developing effective business processes
• Strong organization and planning skills.
• High level of problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communicator.
• Focused Time management

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