Strategic Refinery Planner - Optimizing Production & Profitability

🎯 Role Definition

As a Refinery Planner, you will be the primary driver of economic optimization for the entire refinery. This pivotal role involves using sophisticated linear programming (LP) tools, such as Aspen PIMS, to create detailed short-term and long-range operating plans. You will be responsible for evaluating crude oil and feedstock choices, determining optimal production unit run rates, and planning product blending to meet market demand and financial targets. Your analysis will directly influence key commercial and operational decisions, ensuring the refinery operates at peak profitability while navigating complex market dynamics and physical constraints. You are not just a planner; you are a strategic partner to Operations, Commercial, and Leadership teams, translating complex data into actionable, value-driven strategies.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Process Engineer / Senior Process Engineer
Refinery Operations Engineer / Supervisor
Refinery Economist / Analyst

Advancement To:

Senior Refinery Planner / Planning Lead
Refinery Planning Manager / Supervisor
Commercial Manager or Director of Trading

Lateral Moves:

Supply Chain & Logistics Manager
Market Analyst (Crude or Products)
Business Development Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, maintain, and utilize complex Linear Programming (LP) models (e.g., Aspen PIMS) to generate optimal weekly, monthly, and long-range refinery production plans.
Conduct comprehensive economic analysis of various crude oil slates and alternative feedstocks to determine the most profitable options for the refinery.
Formulate and execute the optimal product blending strategy to meet all quality specifications while maximizing blend component value and overall margin.
Provide detailed run rate guidance and operational targets for all major processing units (CDU, FCC, Hydrocracker, Reformer, etc.) based on the economic plan.
Perform rigorous "what-if" scenario analysis and sensitivity studies to evaluate the economic impact of market fluctuations, unplanned outages, or changes in operating strategy.
Continuously monitor refinery operations and yields against the plan, identifying deviations and collaborating with the Operations team to implement corrective actions.
Generate and communicate accurate production forecasts, feedstock requirements, and product availability to the Supply Chain, Marketing, and Commercial teams.
Lead the back-casting process by comparing model predictions with actual refinery performance, and use the insights to tune and improve the accuracy of the LP model.
Prepare and present detailed economic justifications for operational changes, catalyst selections, and small-scale capital projects to refinery leadership.
Act as the key liaison between the Commercial, Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering departments to ensure alignment and effective execution of the production plan.
Track and analyze global and regional market trends, pricing differentials, and competitor activities for crude oil, feedstocks, and refined products.
Provide critical economic input and analysis for the planning and scheduling of major unit shutdowns, turnarounds, and maintenance activities to minimize financial impact.
Develop and maintain the refinery's mass and utility balances within the planning model, ensuring it accurately reflects physical plant constraints and capabilities.
Analyze and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to plan attainment, margin capture, and opportunity costs.
Collaborate with the scheduling team to translate the high-level monthly plan into a detailed, actionable short-term operating schedule.
Evaluate the economic incentives for processing opportunity crudes and other non-standard feedstocks, assessing both the potential margin uplift and operational risks.
Support the development of the annual operating budget and long-range strategic plans by providing detailed forecasts and economic scenarios.
Quantify the financial value of reliability improvements and debottlenecking projects by modeling their impact on refinery throughput and yield.
Serve as the subject matter expert on refinery economics, providing insights and training to other departments to foster a site-wide culture of margin optimization.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives for planning processes and tools, seeking opportunities to enhance model accuracy, automate workflows, and improve decision-making speed.

Secondary Functions

Mentor and provide guidance to junior engineers and analysts within the technical and commercial teams.
Support long-range strategic planning and multi-year business plan development with detailed economic modeling.
Participate in the evaluation and implementation of new planning software, data analytics platforms, and optimization tools.
Assist the commercial team in evaluating spot market opportunities for feedstock purchases or product sales.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Linear Programming (LP) Modeling: Expert-level proficiency with industry-standard LP software, particularly Aspen PIMS, is essential.
Refinery Process Knowledge: Deep understanding of major refinery unit operations (e.g., Crude Distillation, FCC, Hydrotreating, Reforming, Alkylation) and their interactions.
Economic Evaluation: Strong skills in performing detailed economic analysis, including margin calculations, discounted cash flow (DCF), and net present value (NPV).
Advanced Data Analysis: Proficiency in using tools like Excel (including Power Query, Pivot Tables, VBA), SQL for database queries, and data visualization software (Power BI or Tableau).
Petroleum Market Dynamics: Solid knowledge of crude oil and refined product markets, pricing structures (e.g., Platts, Argus), and supply/demand fundamentals.
Supply Chain & Logistics: Understanding of the end-to-end petroleum supply chain, including transportation, storage, and inventory management.
Product Blending: In-depth knowledge of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel blending specifications and component properties.
Python/R: Experience with scripting languages for data analysis and model automation is a significant plus.

Soft Skills

Analytical & Problem-Solving: Superior ability to dissect complex problems, interpret data, and develop logical, data-driven conclusions.
Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the bigger picture, anticipate future trends, and align tactical plans with long-term business objectives.
Communication & Influence: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex economic concepts clearly to diverse audiences and influence key decisions.
Collaboration & Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively across multiple departments and build strong relationships with stakeholders in Operations, Commercial, and Engineering.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous and highly accurate in modeling, analysis, and reporting to ensure the integrity of financial and operational plans.
Decision Making: Confidence in making high-impact decisions under pressure, often with incomplete information.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and quickly adjust plans in response to changing market conditions or operational issues.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant technical field.

Preferred Education:

Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Science in a relevant engineering discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Chemical Engineering (most preferred)
Mechanical Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Petroleum Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

7-15 years of progressive experience within the oil and gas industry, specifically in a refinery or petrochemical environment.

Preferred:

A minimum of 5 years of direct experience in a Refinery Planning, Economics, or Optimization role.
Prior experience in a Process Engineering or Refinery Operations role is highly advantageous as it provides a strong foundational understanding of plant constraints and capabilities.