Senior Rail Analyst

Methanex•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Senior Rail Analyst is primarily responsible for supporting the strategic and commercial planning activities associated with our rail business including (i) conducting relevant analysis and (ii) supporting selection and negotiation of commercial agreements with 3rd party rail-related vendors (e.g., railcar leases, railroad freight agreements, etc.). This position is also responsible for conducting analysis to optimize Methanex’s in-region supply network, providing support to our sales team in logistics cost analysis and managing our annual budget and cost management reporting efforts relating to rail operations. Additionally, the incumbent will provide back-up support for (i) the other Commercial Analyst, Logistics and (ii) the Sr. Coordinator, Rail for the day-to-day coordination of Methanex’s railcar fleet of about 1,200 railcars.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in Business, Accounting, or Engineering preferred.
7 years business, management accounting, strategic, and/or commercial planning experience.
Excellent analytical skills – experience in detailed analytical problem solving and model building.
High degree of computer efficiency – particularly Excel & Power BI

Nice To Haves

MBA (or CMA / CFA) considered an asset.
Experience in the chemical or oil/gas industry (particularly logistics management) is considered an asset.
Experience in the rail industry considered and asset.
Demonstrated strategic and commercial planning skills an asset.
Linear optimization experience considered an asset.
Familiarity with budgeting / cost management techniques is highly desired.

Responsibilities

Support all commercial planning activities related to MX’s rail-related activities:
Develop and maintain relationship with key rail logistics suppliers,
Evaluate and recommend rail logistics suppliers & alternatives (e.g. rail freight, railcar leasing),
Maintain Methanex rail freight database and collect new rates as required.
Monitor and report on contractual compliance,
Develop and recommend railcar leasing and storage strategies to minimize rail storage costs
Maintain regular reviews with the Senior Supply Chain Analyst, to maintain understanding of new developments impacting logistics requirements
Attend in-company & external conferences to maintain knowledge about industry trends.
Build and maintain analytical models that drive strategy for Class 1 railroad freight negotiations and freight optimization.
Lead the in-region supply chain optimization and rail fleet planning efforts.
Analyze and recommend sourcing shifts to fully optimize in-region freight and customer netback,
Prepare rail fleet plans to satisfy customer demand and maximize railcar utility
Prepare high quality and timely business management reports including (i) rail fleet plan (short-term and long-term), (ii) rail Freight Analysis, and (iii) other ad-hoc reports including rail key performance indicators (e.g. demurrage recovery, transit time performance, etc.).
Support logistics budget and develop new business management reports as required.
Lead preparation of the rail budget & annual fleet planning process
Primary logistics liaison for the accounting group - particularly on questions / guidance related to freight logistics accruals and freight variance analysis.
Review and provide secondary approval on all rail logistics invoices as per Methanex policy
Ensure timely review & approval of all lease invoices
Ensure regular reporting requirements to Finance, Customer Service & Logistics, and Sales are presented timely & to a high quality.
Work closely with the Senior Supply Chain Analyst, providing guidance and collaborating on in-region optimization opportunities impacting the day-to-day operation.
Provide support to the sales team to help analyze the delivery and next best alternative economics for different sales & value generating opportunities.
Provide support to product management activities which may include, but not limited to, analyzing regional supply/demand balances & import/export activity and supporting the development of key competitor and derivative plans.