Tools & Modelling Specialist (Chemical Engineer) (107738) at Sasol

ABOUT THE ROLE / PURPOSE OF THE JOB 

Secunda Synfuels Operations (SSO) operates the world’s largest coal-to-liquids (CTL) facility and produces synthesis gas (syngas) through coal gasification and natural gas reforming, using Sasol’s unique and proprietary Fischer-Tropsch technology to manufacture synthetic fuel components, pipeline gas and chemical feedstock. 

The position is required to work in teams with technical, operational and planning resources with a twofold focus of:

• Creating models that appropriately, accurately represent the capabilities, flexibilities and constraints of the assets and;
• To identify profit improvement opportunities within the asset for future development.

 FUNCTIONAL OUTPUTS

• Support sustainable maximisation of Sasol’s profitability through enabling planning and optimisation toolset.
• Align to the Planning & Optimisation (P&O) Functional strategy by supporting development of the 2-year budget and monthly plans for the HUB.
• Execution of the annual production budget.
• Ensure that the site mass balances are adequately reflected in the P&O toolset (via the Linear Programing (LP) models).
• Challenge and articulate the production HUBs operational flexibility, constraints and cost of production.
• Liaise with the SBUs and Central P&O on capital decisions involving the HUB.
• Evaluate the HUB plan accuracy through back-casting of models (specifically on LP performance).
• Identify opportunities to optimise production in order to enhance overall Sasol profitability.
• Develop and maintain optimisation toolset (particularly LP models) to ensure relevancy and accuracy.
• Ensure that the P&O toolset user community is adequately trained and supported.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• In addition to a pre-employment medical examination, some positions may require a physical fitness assessment as part of the normal selection criteria. 

QUALIFICATION:

• University Degree in Chemical engineering or equivalent 

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience (Must).
• Prior experience with linear programming (LP), scheduling as well as blending and simulation tools is a strong preference (Strong wish).

KEY COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

Leadership:

Self-mastery

• Takes accountability for driving own growth through developing self-awareness, reflecting, seeking feedback and self-correcting.

Partnership Leadership

• Persuades and influences stakeholders; builds relationships and partnerships for win-win outcomes.
• Builds Teams and creates synergies through working across boundaries.

Functional / Technical:

Core Elements of Job Key (Performance Indicators):

Provide and certify LP model to be used for planning, budgeting and performance evaluation:

• Source reliable qualitative and quantitative data for LP model.
• Ensure LP model is fit for purpose for planning and budgeting.
• Continuously ensure that the LP model is tuned to operational reality.

 Development of the yearly production budget:

• Unit uncertainties to be continuously improved.
• Management of change process on all revision of the LP through thorough testing and evaluation.
• Model convergence has been achieved timeously to produce HUB plan.
• Optimal yearly / budget plan is inferred and value added through scenario analyses.

LP modelling support to planning and performance evaluation teams:

• Alignment and integration between Hub and One Sasol Framework plans.
• Provide an ongoing support to production schedulers at MPI with regards to LP support.
• Aligned HUB plans and SBU's & Operations.

 LP model development:

• Assist in medium to long term scenarios (capital investment and renewal process).
• Ensure LP model version used (in conjunction with planners) have latest prices and relevant qualities on intermediates.
• Plan accuracy verified through back-casting of operation performance.

Develop and maintain P&O toolset:

• Model capabilities and relevancy are enhanced through appropriate configuration.
• Model flexibility and accuracy is enhanced through configuration and calibration.
• End users are properly trained.

 Change ambassador for role of P&O function:

• Tools and modelling use of P&O community is established as an influential factor in P&O functionality.

  PDP and development:

• Available for development in other areas of the team (Planning and Evaluation) to support succession planning and overall team growth.
• Rotation to Planning. 

Business Results:

• This job is concerned with the optimisation of the HUB's operation. Integration occurs across functions and product value chains.  The focus varies from operational (80% of work) to tactical (10% of work) to strategic (10% of work).
• The incumbent will work in a matrix organization with functional responsibility for planning of operations and the requirement to lead, influence and direct production units.
• The environment is relatively uncertain, and the person will need a tolerance for ambiguity.

Behavioural:

• Working effectively in a matrix structure to maximize profitability.
• Understanding the complexity of value chains and interdependencies of HUBs and SBUs.
• Assessing the reliability and accuracy of sources of data to be used in plan construction and performance evaluation.
• Challenging sources of data inputs and profitability constraints.
• Accuracy of the production and inventory planning and scheduling tools.
• Backup peers to ensure continuity.
• Stay up to date regarding modelling methodologies and techniques.
• Incorporate benchmarks to measure operations performance.
• Direct production plan development. Evaluate LP - unit uncertainties.
• Implement optimisation opportunities through planning and highlight areas of potential opportunities and concerns.
• General maintenance of LP Model.

Closing Date: 11th, April 2022