Operator - Dry Bulk & Specialties (2024)

Aramco Americas Company•Houston, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Operator will be part of the Chemicals & Specialties Trading Team, supporting the commercial execution of dry bulk products (petcoke, sulfur, and urea). This is a critical role responsible for coordinating and executing domestic and international marine and truck movements across the supply chain, ensuring that commercial commitments are delivered safely, reliably, and efficiently. The Operator will serve as a key interface between Trading, Operations, Finance, Risk, and external stakeholders, facilitating the seamless execution of commercial transactions, trading strategies, and optimization initiatives. The role requires strong commercial awareness, operational discipline, and the ability to proactively identify and resolve issues that may impact the supply chain or financial performance of a deal. The Operator will be expected to drive effective coordination across internal and external parties while maintaining a strong focus on safety, reliability, cost control, and overall operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field, with a strong foundation in operations management
Minimum of 1+ years of progressive experience in operations management, supply chain management, trading operations, or petroleum products supply logistics
Working knowledge of marine and truck operations, with an understanding of supply and trading activities, including logistics, shipping, inventory management, and commercial contracts
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify operational inefficiencies, implement process improvements, and drive performance optimization while multi-tasking through multiple complex business issues
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, external counterparties, and senior management
Strong organization and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex and time-sensitive business issues simultaneously
Strong negotiation, influencing, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and with external stakeholders
Ability to operate effectively in an environment characterized by ambiguity, constant change, competing priorities, and time-sensitive decisions while maintaining focus on overall commercial and operational objectives
Demonstrated ability to quickly evaluate large volumes of information, identify critical issues, and make sound, timely decisions.
Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while remaining collaborative, inquisitive, analytical, detail-oriented, and action-oriented
Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to remain effective under pressure and manage operational challenges in a fast-paced environment
Ability to organize, monitor, and maintain a large volume of dynamic information, schedules, transactions, and operational circumstances
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and other business-critical systems
Ability to effectively manage a high volume of email and text correspondence and communications—often exceeding 100 emails per day—while maintaining timely, accurate, and appropriate responses
Ability to work in an office environment located in downtown Houston, Texas
Willingness and ability to provide 24-hour operational support as required, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays
Must be able to carry and remain accessible via a company-provided mobile phone and assigned laptop outside normal business hours to support critical operational events and global trading activities

Nice To Haves

experience with dry bulk products is strongly preferred
Marine operations experience with clean products, distillates, chemicals, or other petroleum-related products would be considered
Experience with SAP is preferred

Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate all marine and truck movements across terminals and vessels, ensuring alignment with trading positions, contractual commitments, and delivery requirements
Coordinate daily with suppliers, traders, operations, risk analysts, terminals, and external counterparties to manage loading, discharge, and delivery schedules
Manage marine operations for various dry bulk products, including vessel chartering and coordination with brokers, owners, agents, inspectors, and terminals
Identify and implement opportunities to improve operational processes, logistics efficiency, and overall supply chain performance
Monitor and manage inventory positions at storage terminals to minimize demurrage, prevent off-specification product, and avoid storage constraints or overcapacity
Partner closely with the Compliance Team to ensure all import and export activities satisfy applicable customs, regulatory, and documentation requirements
Serve as the primary operational contact for shippers, counterparties, terminals, and other service providers, resolving issues within contractual requirements, applicable regulations, and company policies
Maintain accurate and timely records in SAP, Navarik, and other business-critical systems
Support month-end reconciliation, inventory verification, and reporting activities in coordination with Front Office, Middle Office, and Back Office teams
Provide 24/7 operational support to the global trading organization as required, coordinating across time zones including Singapore, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and the United States
Ensure operational activities comply with applicable industry regulations, standards, contractual requirements, and company policies to minimize operational and financial risk exposure
Proactively identify potential supply chain disruptions and develop contingency plans to maintain continuity of operations
Coordinate operational response efforts during disruptions, crises, or emergencies to minimize commercial and operational impacts
Monitor and mitigate physical and contractual imbalances, including inventory positions
Provide Trading with accurate and timely updates on operational developments, including inventory availability, vessel status, delays, and other issues that may impact commercial positions or P&L
Escalate material operational, commercial, safety, quality, or compliance risks promptly and ensure appropriate corrective actions are implemented
Build and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including brokers, ship owners, shipping agents, terminals, and inspection companies
Leverage external relationships and market intelligence to improve operational visibility, identify potential risks, and understand market conditions
Work closely with Back Office to investigate and resolve inventory, quantity, and settlement discrepancies to support accurate P&L reporting.
Partner with Trading, Operations, Risk, Finance, and other stakeholders to optimize marine and truck movements and maximize the commercial value of trading positions
Stay current on changes to applicable customs, trade, maritime, environmental, and other regulatory requirements and implement necessary changes to maintain compliance
Ensure import and export transactions are supported by accurate documentation and comply with applicable customs and fiscal requirements.
Maintain complete and accurate operational records necessary to satisfy legal, regulatory, fiscal, audit, and company requirements.
Execute activities in accordance with Aramco policies, procedures, internal controls, and applicable laws and regulations
Serve as a key liaison across Global Trading, Chartering, Claims, Finance, Risk, and Operations to ensure seamless execution of operational and chartering activities, timely resolution of issues, and accurate and timely reporting to management
Foster strong cross-functional alignment and proactive communication to support commercial objectives, manage operational risk, optimize inventory levels, and maintain visibility across the supply chain
Provide timely and effective communication on operational developments, including vessel and truck movements, inventory positions, delays, quality issues, and other events that may impact commercial or financial outcomes
Demonstrate a high degree of ownership, responsiveness, and sound decision-making, including availability outside normal business hours to support critical operational events and ensure uninterrupted execution across global time zones
Escalate material operational, commercial, safety, quality, and compliance issues promptly, ensuring appropriate stakeholders are engaged and corrective actions are implemented
Build and maintain effective working relationships with terminals, shipping agents, brokers, ship owners, inspectors, other external counterparties to ensure safe, efficient, reliable, and cost-effective operations
Lead coordination with external stakeholders to optimize logistics performance, manage schedules, resolve operational issues, mitigate disruptions, and support reliable execution across the supply chain
Serve as a primary operational point of contact for external counterparties, ensuring clear communication of commercial requirements, contractual obligations, operational priorities, and delivery expectations
Leverage relationships with external stakeholders to enhance market and operational intelligence, improve supply chain visibility, identify emerging risks, and proactively address potential disruptions