Principal Commodity Manager – Olefins
| Company | Ascend Performance Materials |
|---|---|
| Location | Houston, TX, USA |
| Salary | $Not Provided – $Not Provided |
| Type | Full-Time |
| Degrees | Bachelor’s, MBA |
| Experience Level | Senior, Expert or higher |
Requirements
- BS/BA in Business, Supply Chain, or a Technical field. MBA preferred but not required.
- 10+ years of relevant experience in commercial roles such as Sales, Commercial Management, Procurement, Logistics, or Trading. Direct experience in purchasing, commercial management, or trading is required.
- Strong knowledge of olefins or adjacent markets (upstream, NGLs, ethylene, etc.) is highly desirable, along with expertise in pipelines. Strong negotiation skills.
- Experience with ERP systems (SAP preferred), procurement policies, and market analysis. Digital native with advanced Excel skills for managing detailed data.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to prioritize multiple initiatives effectively.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to engage cross-functional teams and drive alignment.
- High level of commercial awareness, relationship management, professionalism, and agility.
- Ability to navigate complexity, ambiguity, and fast-paced environments with confidence.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute short-term and long-term olefins sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives.
- Manage supplier relationships, negotiations, and contracts to maximize value and ensure supply reliability.
- Oversee day-to-day pipeline flows, making agile adjustments to meet plant demand in the most cost-effective manner.
- Design and execute a strategic spot purchasing program to optimize propylene supply.
- Stay informed on market developments and provide timely insights to Procurement and Commercial leadership.
- Tender purchase orders against contract supply and spot propylene trades, managing pricing in SAP.
- Implement risk management strategies, including hedging and pipeline redundancy.
- Engage with suppliers on bio- and circular propylene options and assess the carbon footprint of conventional supply.
- Ensure ethical procurement practices and compliance with company policies.
Preferred Qualifications
- MBA preferred but not required.
- Strong knowledge of olefins or adjacent markets (upstream, NGLs, ethylene, etc.) is highly desirable, along with expertise in pipelines.