Head of Product and Production

INEOS is a global manufacturer of petrochemicals and specialty chemicals, producing the raw materials that are essential in the manufacturing of a wide range of goods. The chemicals manufactured by INEOS enhance almost every aspect of modern life. INEOS is the 3rd largest petrochemical company in the world with 194 manufacturing sites across 29 countries and employing more than 26,000 people globally.

INEOS Oxide is one of the most diverse, dynamic and successful businesses within INEOS, operating 4 manufacturing sites in Europe and North America. The total EO production capacity is currently > 1 million mt and the total production capacity for the overall business is ~ 3.4 million mt.

Ethylene oxide (EO) is an important building block for the preparation of a wide variety of EO derivatives (EODs), including various surfactants, as well as many other chemical intermediates including Ethylene Glycols, Glycol Ethers, Polyethylene Glycols and Ethanolamine's.

In 2024 INEOS Oxide acquired a new site in Bayport (TX) and the respective business in the US, which increased the total production capacity of the business to ~ 4.4 million mt and through this acquisition INEOS Oxide has achieved a true global footprint, in particular for the Ethylene Oxide value chain.

executing and optimizing in-month business performance to maximize EBITDA and cash delivery

providing/maintaining databases for the annual Operating Plan

maintaining a planning and modelling tool for the business that includes all input-variables to enable optimization for the business as the output

Ensuring reliable product-movements to ensure optimal plant-operations/run-rates

This is achieved by the Product Manager driving and coordinating a large cross-functional business team including procurement, manufacturing, supply chain, customer service and sales managers, and requires the post holder to have a deep and detailed understanding of production asset capabilities and economics, market dynamics, and customers’ service requirements and associated cost-to-serve. The Product Manager performs a key role in monitoring and responding to changing market demand for each individual product group and managing challenges arising from feedstock supply and production reliability issues.

Raw Material Procurement Team - agreeing and executing raw material procurement objectives.

Plaquemine Site Operations - monitoring manufacturing performance; Sales & Customer Service Teams - agreeing and executing the sales and contracting strategies for the business.

INEOS Oxide Back-Office Support Functions - dealing with cross business and commercial process issues.

Manage day-to-day and mid-term production, sales and margin planning and optimize sales/production variations.

Maintain Dashboard and cost/price/margin data to aid in development of long-term plans and presentations.

Suppliers - supporting the Procurement Team in key raw material supply negotiations.

Customers - supporting the Sales Team in key contract preparations and potentially negotiations.

Manage Customer relationship and business with 1 critically important customer and possibly up to 3 customers that can have significant impact on the EOA-plant operations

Co-producers - supporting the business managers to pursue swap, toll and strategic partnership opportunities.

Publications - discussions with publications, supporting Business Manager, to discuss market news and to inform them of INEOS specific information, as appropriate.

Legal - work on resolving contract and other challenges that require input from counsel.

Technical Service - coordinate Product Data/Specification/Safety Information handling and changes.

Develop and maintain the rolling 3 month operational and financial forecast in line with supply/demand balances and product pricing policy and agree them with the Business Manager prior to his submission of the plan to the company’s formal financial forecasting process.

Together with the planner, define and optimize production plan based on demand, inventory and raw material availability, to maximize business EBITDA and cash generation.

Monitor and manage supply-demand balances to ensure availability of product for sale, and to ensure EBITDA, cash and working capital targets are met.

Implement agreed inventory management strategy to achieve defined stock targets.

Under guidance from the Business Manager, assist in defining the monthly and quarterly pricing policy in accordance with market dynamics and the business’ commercial strategy.

Implement and manage supply chain solutions in co-operation with Supply Chain/Logistics Function and in accordance with defined business strategy to ensure appropriate levels of delivery service to domestic and export customers for both bulk and packed products.

Assist and in alignment with Business Manager manage co-producer commercial interactions in alignment with agreed co‑producer strategies and in full compliance with competition law requirements.

Co‑ordinate response to customer complaints related to product quality.

Ensure that asset maintenance plans are set in coordination with business commercial strategy, ensuring EBITDA, cash and working capital outcomes are optimized.

Monitor customer contract compliance; track contract renewal dates to ensure timely renegotiation of contract agreements.

Manage EOA‑bottoms Key‑account relationship and business to assure continuous product‑flow and margin.

Identify, in collaboration with Sales Team, potential new customers based on the developed contract strategy.

Support the Business Manager in preparing for tender and annual contract renegotiations.

Accountability 3 - Market Intelligence and Data

Gather market intelligence to ensure visibility of competitor / customer business strategy developments to identify emerging issues and opportunities.

Proactively and systematically report key market information to the sales and wider business team, including customer and competitor landscape, notable trends, changes, and risks.

Accountability 4 - Business Strategy Development

Support the Business Manager in defining long term commercial and asset growth strategies.

Accountability 5 - Safety, Health, and Environmental

These Principles are posted throughout each Oxide facility, and each employee must commit to following the INEOS Life-Saving rules on a daily basis.

Key Performance Indicators

Monthly volume, revenue, contribution and EBITDA performance.

Overall INEOS Oxide US Business Team goals - operational, financial, working capital and fixed cost targets.

Success in delivering market share growth rates and market development targets for the sales region.

Meet all departmental annual training and progression goals

100% compliance in Training and Behavior:

Bachelor in either Chemical or Mechanical engineering preferred; or business/commercial or chemistry degree, provided the person can demonstrate a propensity for and has comfort with technical issues

Minimum 5-10 years of chemical industry commercial experience

Profound knowledge of Business, Commercial, Financial, and Technical/Operations Management

Profound understanding of Business, Finance, Commerce, Contract Law and Production Technology

Commercial acumen, demonstrated ability to identify and leverage sources of business value

Comprehension of chemical manufacturing processes and practices

Effective and efficient computer skills including, but not limited to SAP, Microsoft Office

Coach and developer of people, desire to share learning and help colleagues to achieve results

Environmental conditions

The employee must occasionally walk, stand and travel by car, airplane or other means

Employee must have the ability to see written documents, computer screens, and to adjust focus

Work Environment: This job is performed mainly in a temperature-controlled office environment

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.

Type Full-time

Discipline Commercial

Type Full-time