Head Commodity Trading & Input Materials

Job Req ID

6830

Closing Date

15 January 2025

OME

Location

Sandton

Purpose of Job

Senior leadership role accountable to manage and co-ordinate the multi-disciplinary roles associated with Sasol’s (1) trading and price risk management of energy commodities and derivatives (crude oil, petroleum products and blending components), and (2) the sourcing and contracting for input materials (catalysts, water treatment, process feedstock, bio-feedstocks, etc).

• Crude and white product trading: Understand, analyse, forecast and report on the oil and petroleum markets and be able to meet Sasol’s petroleum supply and demand requirements, at the lowest cost of ownership and investigate and recommend alternative sources of supply to optimise margins for Sasol Energy.
• Input Materials Sourcing: Lead and oversee the development and implementation of sourcing strategies for input materials in order to realise increased business value for Sasol by leveraging external spend, through a total cost of ownership reduction approach.
• General: Lead and oversee the preparation, negotiation and administration all contracts within the portfolio in accordance with Sasol policies, procedures and legal requirements. Categorise and manage relationships with strategic suppliers so as to minimise security of supply risks and unlock increased business value.

The portfolio size is approximately R50 billion, of which the majority is made up of the crude and white product procurement, shipping and risk management. A very good understanding and knowledge of the refinery and crude oil value chain is critical to ensure the focus on bottom line value delivery, while ensuring security of supply and value delivery. A further complexity to manage includes the changing crude oil slate of the crude oil refinery to meet future fuel specifications. The input material portfolio focusses mostly on global suppliers where security of supply is critical and will in future support bio-feedstock sourcing for processing at the crude oil refinery.

Key Accountabilities

Commodity Trading: Understand, analyse, forecast and report on the oil and petroleum markets and be able to meet Sasol’s petroleum supply and demand requirements, at the lowest cost of ownership and investigate and recommend alternative sources of supply to optimise margins for Sasol Energy. Manage the process to evaluate, recommend and manage trading counterparts including crude oil and petroleum products suppliers and buyers (NOC’s, IOC’s and independent traders), shipping agents and brokers, surveyors, derivative futures brokers, etc. Maximize the crude oil value chain through building and maintaining good relationships with suppliers in industry including oil traders, clearing agents, ship agents, surveyors and international brokers. Manage the process to develop hedging strategies and derivatives trading, using the appropriate instruments and developing analytical reports to assist in taking hedging decisions. Ensure proper segregation of duties by clear demarcation of refinery management and planning from the front, middle and back-office trading activities.

Input Materials Sourcing: Lead and oversee the development and implementation of sourcing strategies for input materials in order to realise increased business value for Sasol by leveraging external spend, through a total cost of ownership reduction approach. Continuously monitor and analyse the internal and external environments to identify opportunities and threats impacting Sasol's category sourcing strategies and contracts; continuously improve and update sourcing strategies and contracts to mitigate threats and capitalise on opportunities. Analyse the stakeholder landscape and proactively manage relationships to ensure support for and participation in processes to develop and implement sourcing strategies and contracts.

General: Lead and oversee the preparation, negotiation and administration all contracts within the portfolio in accordance with Sasol policies, procedures and legal requirements. Categorise and manage relationships with strategic suppliers so as to minimise security of supply risks and unlock increased business value. Identify value optimisation opportunities and implement and measure the same. Drive a culture of learning, growth, continuous improvement and Agility in the category team. Drive transformation and BBBEE improvement in Sasol's external spend by identifying and implementing preferential procurement and supplier localisation opportunities. Manage talent within the team, including regular personal development and performance management discussions and reviews with team members. Ensure robust contract management and review; ensure that contracts in own category meet minimum Sasol standards and requirements.

Formal Education

University Bachelor’s Degree

Min Experience

14 + relevant years (very good understanding and knowledge of the refinery and crude oil value chain is critical)

Required Personal and Professional Skills