Current Vacancies at Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd.

Responsible for discussing, drafting, reviewing, and negotiating the terms of retail business FA contracts & RORO/ROWA supply agreements. Supports the Sales & Ops community, Network New Bus Dev with a good understanding of Marketing and partner contracts ( in other words understands Retail detail , Retail key leaders/stakeholders and the high level Retail business ). Agree budgets and timescales with Retailers and Landlords. Use knowledge of RAS Margins to positively impact the Retail business. Managing contract schedules and budgets.
Retail Contractual Obligations: Manage KMS contractual obligation entries by capturing Contractual obligations of completed contracts in KMS. Create MOC to track contractual obligations; Advise relevant stakeholder to action contractual obligation, follow up on overdue obligations, manage to closure or escalate as required.

Financial Perspective

• Annual budget or financial business dimensions that the job either directly controls or indirectly influences includes:            Annual fuel volume 2.1m ltrs
• Assist with the Business Planning forecasts for Lease Ins, Lease Outs, Franchise Admin Fees, rates & Taxes etc.

Customer Perspective

• Draft and revise contracts with customers. Coordinate and manage the CORO/CLRO/RORO/ROWA contract Renewal Process
• Ensure the organization's internal contract documents are accurate and well maintained
• Meet with customers to discuss both legal and business matters
• Provide advice and guidance to the different teams within Retail relating to contracts
• Create, prepare, review, and edit all contracts
• Provide support and advice on new potential businesses opportunities (New Business Acquisition / Development)
• Identify opportunities to improve business processes and devise plans to implement these changes
• Ensure customers are adhering to their obligations in line with the contract
• Draft legal letters, i.e. breach letters as required by Retail
• Manage all conveyancing matters related to approved property transactions
• Support and assist with the Payment & Collection of Service Fees and managing problematic accounts and municipalities
• Prepare and process requests for new accounts whenever new service stations are built or retailers/owners change for existing accounts.
• Support with marketing and partner agreements, NDA’s, MOU’s etc.

Business Excellence

• General Support to Retail Sales & Operations, Marketing and Business Support Departments:
• Provide assistance and advise to Retail Sales in respect of retailers and the contracts in place from a legal and business aspect. I.e. Advising on clauses in the FA to assist breaching a Retailer etc.
• Provide assistance to business support in terms of updating training material and documents as well as drafting communications, notifications and letters.                                                       
• Assist with New Business Development Sites (NTC & NTI) by attending retailer selection on the NTC and NTI sites to ensure the retailer is onboarded in line with the streaming date.
• Maintain All Classes of Trade property master files
• Provide assistance to marketing, CRT, Fleet and card

People Management

• Organisational capability. Training on Retailer Selection Process, Renewal Process and Contract Management:
• Refresher training on staff (Retail Teams) – fly to each region and conduct training in person. 2 sessions per annum per year (Q1 & Q3).
• Onboarding training with new TMs – Trainer arranged onboarding training with a new territory manager to train on all 3 areas.
• Contract management sessions with Retailers to enforce accountability of the Franchise and Supply Agreements
• Provide Administrative, Legal and Fiscal Support

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• LLB / BA Law / BCom Law, admitted attorney in South Africa

Work Experience:

• 3-5 years post admission experience at a well-established law firm or in house at a large corporate. Experience in contract management, particularly reviewing and drafting of contracts. Experience in Oil and Gas will be advantageous.

Knowledge and skills:

• Demonstrate a solid understanding of legal terminology.
• Good contract admin knowledge and how to automate processes in this role.
• Comfortable working as part of a multidimensional team
• Ability to work well independently and within a team
• Exemplify a strong attention to detail
• Possesses superior organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects with shifting deadlines
• Must have strong computer skills and knowledge of common programs such as Microsoft Office
• Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills
• Capable of professionally managing confidential information
• Exemplify creative problem-solving abilities.
• Track record of integrity, honesty and a positive attitude.
• Strong project management, multitasking, and decision-making skills
• Must have a strong understanding of financial management principles i.e. Financial Acumen
• Ability to liaise with all levels of business professionals including attorneys, landlords and their representatives, retail, property and other business units and external service providers

Application deadline:

01 August 2023

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Lead and manage the Retail and Marketing Demand Planning and Monitoring process to ensure alignment of functions to deliver business goals.  Overall responsibility for Retail and Marketing demand sales and operating planning process, including Demand Forecasting, Supply collaboration, and Cross-function execution of Sales & Operations processes. Works with  Managers (Retail and Marketing) to ensure Sales & Operations process focuses on opportunities with greatest impact. Sales managers and business support to focus on robust demand planning activities, and Supply chain to drive correct inventory and material planning within a constrain and unconstraint environment.
Responsible for demand planning activities in South Africa .  Develops demand plans to support the projected business sales plans.  Facilitate & prepare the meeting.  Using both Demand and Supply knowledge to drive change in executing the Process, and facilitate process improvements in both, the demand and supply space, through knowledge sharing and using the influence model to drive for change, and collaboration using the influence model to drive for change, and collaboration.

Demand Planning

Responsible for demand planning activities in South Africa .  Develops demand plans to support the projected business sales plans. Input into  Sales review , Pre-S&OP and S&OP meetings

• Facilitate monthly demand forecast aggregation, including consensus between function and stakeholders
• Review and update sales forecasts- input to Demand Mgmt. System (IBP). Working towards reliable 6-month forecast (product level) in aid of better planning.
• Provide leadership for the demand planning/forecasting process
• 12 Month rolling demand forecast to drive focus on strategic decisions to meet business plan targets
• Collaboration with Fuels  and marketing teams on PLCM process, product introductions and promotional planning to mitigate surge and drops in demand. Working to have this reflected in IBP timeously.
• Monitor demand performance throughout the month and provide detailed input for use in demand reviews
• Drive for weekly tracking of Month end projections.
• Drive forecast accuracy at multiple levels.
• Pre-demand meetings  to ensure and challenge demand planning inputs,  to deep-dive major customer demand to ensure nothing is missed and to drive improvements

Reporting

• FCA and Root cause L though analysis of variance and identify immediate and future actions
• Pre Demand Review preparation and meetings
• Demand Review Deck Preparation
• Weekly reporting to the sales team around FC vs Offtake (more frequently during constraint situation to better track demand vs actuals, to effectively mitigate surge and drop in demand)
• Provide Volume FC inputs into the SC process and Financial FC & Business Planning Processes
• Provide update in the Plan vs Action (PVA)
• Volume Tracker of Big Business and large growth Opportunities

IBP system maintenance and alignment.

• Ensure Demand Planning master data is clean to enable accurate demand forecasting.
• Dummy Account Setup and maintenance
• Product and customer re-alignments

Fuels and Marketing Planning Coordinator

• Lead and manage the S&OP process to ensure alignment of functions to deliver business goals. 
• Overall responsibility for Fuels and Maketing demand sales and operating planning process, including Demand Forecasting, Supply collaboration, and Cross-function execution of Sales & Operations process
• Oversee all S&OP and demand planning activities
• Facilitate information flow between all the stakeholders on a regular basis in order to meet customer service targets and understand root causes, resolve problems as they arise, and address actions
• Facilitate cross-functional discussions between Fuel and Marketing and drive for alignment and buy-in to enable decision-making.
• Conduct the Pre-S&OP and S&OP meetings
• Manage S&OP activities that provide analysis which drive business decisions relative to improving service through streamlining cross-functional activities
• Establish alignment with operational partners to optimize production strategies through coordinating with cross-functional  teams through Demand reviews, supply reviews,  Pre-Sales & Operations and Sales & Operations meetings
• Drive for continuous improvement of the S&OP processes.
• Provide direction  for planning processes to align demand, supply and company goals
• Communicate major Supply issues and demand trends. Establish alignment with operational partners to optimize production strategies. Work with  Network Planner & Supply manager to develop plans to meet demand.
• Advance reporting and analysis providing information for planning
• Actively drive for decisions during period of supply constraint
• Drive for decisions and trade-off during constraint situations
• Identify further opportunities for efficiency improvements, within sales and cross functionally

Other

• Participate and drive Demand related LPS tools, LIs and NLIs. Investigation Team member/Team leas for cross function.
•  Involved in execution of the Management of Change (MOC) process to ensure seamless transitions with no impact to supply chain performance, or customers
• Sales Support on Business Case submissions and volumes, lookbacks
• PLCM Process participation
  • Month Business review and Pricing meeting participation
• Conduct lookback on key issues and projects
• Build relationship with stakeholders through active collaboration to ensure openness, transparency to be able to bridge both demand and supply challenges.
• Audit and compliance actions
• Project implementation

Financial Perspective

• Achieve the sales Volumes for the Fuels Marketing business
• Achieve the EBITDA target for the Fuels Marketing business
• Manage Direct Opex to achieve required savings targets
• Manage the Capex for the Fuels Marketing business to deliver within target

Customer Perspective

• Ensure Completion of Demand Forecasting Process, Accuracy Improvement
• Drive Big Business Model for new customers
• Successful on boarding of new customers identified in this tool, no stock out of product post on boarding as a result of new customer
• Demand Forecasting - On boarding new customers
• Attend QBR's/BPR's, Addressing trends/concerns/opportunities with customers, training and constant improvements

Business Excellence

• Business Planning Processes
• Sales &Operational processes (Demand , Supply, Pre-S&OP, S&OP)
• Demand Planning Processes (Pre-demand and demand reviews)
• Supply Planning Processes
• S&OP Sub-process ( PLCM, MOC)

People Management

• No direct reports, but influence model critical

Professional Qualification and Certifications: 

• Minimum a three-year degree at an SAQA-accredited University (Business, Commerce, Finance, Sales and Marketing Degree)

Work Experience:

• Demand Planning Background
• Retail Fuel and Marketing process experience
• Retail Fuels and Marketing background Advantageous

Knowledge and skills:

• SAP IBP background
• Demand planning background
• Analytical and Advance Excel Skills

Application deadline:

01 August 2023

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As a Strategic Intelligence Analyst, your primary responsibility is to provide valuable insights and analysis to support the development and implementation of an organization's strategic plans. The role involves gathering and interpreting data to provide intelligence in a way that that enables the business to respond to changing local and global dynamics, enhance decision-making and improve organization's competitive advantage. These insights contribute significantly to an organization's competitive edge and long-term success.

Market Research & Trend Analysis:

• Conduct primary and secondary research on various topics related to our industry, including market trends, competitive landscape, and customer insights, industry developments, and macroeconomic factors.
• Identify emerging trends and disruptions in the industry and evaluate their potential impact on the organisation, industry or market.
• Continuously monitor and track industry trends, competitor activities, and market opportunities.

Data gathering and processing

• Gather and process data from various sources, understanding market dynamics, transforming data into meaningful intelligence to inform decision making and identifying potential opportunities and threats.
• Analyze data and information to create insights and conclusions
• Analyze complex data sets to identify patterns, trends, and correlations
• Utilize publicly available information, corporate licenses relevant data and insights.

Strategy development and planning support

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in the development and strategic plans and objectives based on data-driven insights.
• Assist in the development of medium-term business plans and objectives based on data-driven insights.
• Work with the strategy team and cross functionally to conduct scenario planning and sensitivity analysis to assess the potential outcomes of different strategic decisions and identify associated risks.

Presentations and Reports

• Create professionally formatted and grammatically correct reports, dashboards and presentations, including executive summaries, research findings, and recommendations.
• Clearly communicate findings, implication for the business and market, recommendations, and potential risks.
• Publish articles and thought leadership pieces

EBM support/Input

• Provide strategic input into the Enterprise Business Model (EBM) process
• Work collaboratively with various teams to compile the meeting input/presentation for strategic activities meeting within the EBM process

Customer Perspective

• Monitor and analyze competitors' activities, strategies, strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning. Provide actionable insights to support the organization's competitive advantage.

Customer Intelligence

• Monitor changes in customer behaviors, preferences, needs and expectations – identifying emerging trends and implications for the industry and the organisation

Compliance

• Adhere to compliance standard as it relates to handlings of sensitive and confidential data.

Risk Assessment

• Work collaboratively with teams to Identify and evaluate potential risks and challenges that may impact the organization's strategic goals and develop risk mitigation strategies.

Continuous Improvement

• Stay abreast of the latest market research methodologies, business intelligence tools, and industry best practices.
• Continuously improve analytical techniques and data gathering processes.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work collaboratively with various departments and stakeholders to gather insights and disseminate intelligence in the organisation

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field i.e. business administration, marketing, finance, data science or a related discipline. A master’s degree would be advantageous

Work Experience:

• 10 or more years experience, preferably in petro-chemical industry

Knowledge and skills:

• Astute analytical and critical thinking ability to process and interpret complex data.
• Knowledge and interest in local and global developments and trends and its implications for the energy/petrochemical industry
• Creative mindset and eagerness to discover new areas and contribute to new ways of thinking
• Proficiency in using various market research and business intelligence tools.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise among competing tasks
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a strategy team engaging with cross-functional teams.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Adept at problem-solving and identifying opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Understanding of the competitive landscape and industry trends.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to convey findings to stakeholders clearly.
• Knowledge of strategic planning frameworks and methodologies.
• Familiarity with financial analysis and forecasting techniques.

Application deadline:

03 August 2023

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The Head of Strategy & Sustainability is a senior leadership role responsible for driving the strategic direction and sustainability initiatives of Astron Energy. This position combines strategic thinking, business acumen, and environmental awareness to develop and implement sustainable business practices. The Head of Strategy & Sustainability collaborates with executive management, department heads, and cross functional teams to ensure alignment with the organisation goals and objectives.

Financial Perspective

• Identify sustainability-related risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. Monitor industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging sustainability issues to proactively address potential challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant sustainability reporting frameworks and regulations. Prepare and submit sustainability reports, highlighting progress and achievements against established targets.
• Gather, interpret, and analyse data related to sustainability metrics, environmental impact, and social performance. This involves measuring and monitoring progress, identifying areas for improvement, and making data-driven decisions to drive sustainability strategies.
• Solid understanding of the organisation's business model, operations, and financial implications. The Head of Strategy & Sustainability should be able to align sustainability goals with overall business objectives, evaluate cost-benefit analyses, and identify opportunities for sustainable growth.
• Develop AE Sustainability plan and roadmap.

Customer Perspective

• Formulate and execute a comprehensive sustainability strategy that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the organization's operations, products, and services. Set ambitious sustainability goals, establish metrics for measuring performance, and drive initiatives to achieve them.
• Coordinate and plan the Strategy Calendar to achieve Astron Energy’s medium and long-term goals.
• Provide guidance and support in developing tools and strategies to meet ESG goals and targets.
• Conduct assessments to identify the organization's environmental impact, including carbon emissions, waste generation, and resource consumption. Develop strategies to minimize negative environmental effects and enhance sustainability practices.
• Monitor, test and challenge the respective Business Unit strategies and review priorities against the Corporate Strategy.
• Stay abreast of emerging sustainability trends, technologies, and best practices. Identify opportunities for innovation and develop strategies to integrate sustainable practices into product development, supply chain management, and other areas of the organization.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, industry associations, and regulatory bodies. Build relationships and engage stakeholders to drive sustainability initiatives, promote awareness, and gather feedback.
• Effectively managing multiple projects and initiatives is crucial for success. The ability to prioritise, set goals, allocate resources, and track progress is essential to ensure sustainability initiatives are implemented effectively and deliver desired outcomes.
• The Head of Strategy & Sustainability should have a commitment to continuous learning, staying up-to-date with industry trends and advancements to drive ongoing improvement and innovation.

Internal Processes

• Develop and refine the organization's overall strategic plan, ensuring alignment with the mission, vision, and values. Identify strategic opportunities and risks, conduct market analysis, and define key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress.
• Identify opportunities and develop innovative strategies to drive sustainability initiatives.
• Think creatively, encourage innovation, and promote a culture of sustainability within the organization

People Management

• Provide strategic guidance and leadership to the sustainability team. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, set performance goals, conduct performance evaluations, and support professional development.
• Inspire and motivate cross-functional teams, drive change, and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Effective communication and interpersonal skills are vital to gain support and create a shared vision for sustainability initiatives.
• Implementing sustainability initiatives often requires organisational change. The Head of Strategy & Sustainability should be skilled in change management techniques, including planning, communication, and overcoming resistance to change. Ensure successful adoption and integration of sustainability practices across the organization.

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, environmental sciences, sustainability, or a related field.  Advanced degree (MBA, MSc) advantageous.

Work Experience:

• At least 5+ years’ experience with deep strategy & sustainability skills.
• Prior experience in the Oil & Gas industry would be beneficial.

Knowledge and skills:

• Proven experience in strategic planning, sustainability or corporate social responsibility roles.
• Strong understanding of sustainability principles, ESG (environmental, social and governance) frameworks, and global sustainability trends.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex information into actionable strategies.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities, including the ability to influence and engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including team management, coaching and development.

• Knowledge of relevant sustainability reporting frameworks
• Familiarity with applicable environmental regulations and certifications is a plus.
• Passion for sustainability and a commitment to driving positive change within organisations.
• Ability to operate on multiple levels, hands-on, strong negotiator, pragmatic, innovative and creative
• Analytical and logical, ability to create value by identifying and driving alternative and efficient approaches appropriate to the situation at hand
• Attention to detail – ability to interrogate and constructively challenge to ensure rigorous outcomes appropriate to requirements

Application deadline:

03 August 2023

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This role will play a crucial role in driving the strategic initiatives of the organisation and ensuring their successful implementation. It will be responsible for overseeing the operational excellence programs and leading the PMO to ensure effective project management practices across the organization. This role requires strong strategic thinking, project management skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Financial Perspective

• Initiate and drive change initiatives within the organisation that enable value creation outside of the “business as usual” activities
• Integrated programme definition & portfolio management
• Benefit Realisation Assessment: Establishing and monitoring relevant operational and financial KPIs for performance appraisal

Operational Excellence:

• Identify opportunities for operational improvement, efficiency gains, and cost optimisation.
• Develop and implement operational excellence programs, methodologies, and best practices.
• Lead cross-functional teams to streamline processes, eliminate waste, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
• Monitor and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and drive continuous improvement efforts

Project portfolio management

•   Change enablement
•   Benefit Realization
•   Project management

Strategy Implementation:

• Develop a deep understanding of the organisation's strategic objectives and goals.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to translate strategic initiatives into actionable plans and define implementation strategies.
• Monitor progress on strategic projects and initiatives, identify potential risks or roadblocks, and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure effective communication and alignment of strategies across departments and teams.

Stakeholder Management:

• Collaborate with senior leaders and stakeholders to understand their requirements and align project deliverables with business objectives.
• Foster strong relationships with cross-functional teams, promoting a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Provide regular updates to stakeholders on project status, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Influence and negotiate with stakeholders to ensure their support and commitment to project objectives.

Internal Processes:

• Driving focused programmes and prioritization to respond to changing environment and alignment with strategic goals
• Change Enablement and Management of Change

Project Management Office (PMO) Leadership:

• Establish and manage the PMO function, including defining project management standards, methodologies, and tools.
• Provide guidance and support to project managers and project teams in planning, executing, and monitoring projects.
• Oversee project portfolio management, resource allocation, and project prioritization.
• Ensure compliance with project management standards and deliver projects within defined timelines, budgets, and quality standards.

People Management:

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship.
• Foster a positive work environment, promoting teamwork, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Conduct performance evaluations, set goals, and identify development opportunities for team members.

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a related field (Master's degree preferred.

Work Experience:

• At least 5+ years’ experience with deep project management skills.
• Prior experience in the Oil & Gas industry would be beneficial.

Knowledge and skills:

• Proven experience in strategy implementation, operational excellence, and project management.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in project management methodologies and tools.
• Strong analytical and data-driven mindset.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Certification in project management (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile) is a plus

Application deadline:

03 August 2023