Jobs at Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd

The Account Manager is expected to accelerate Astron Energy market share in Mining Fuels & Lubricants within B2B Commercial Sector. The role will be responsible for maintaining and developing existing customer relationship, ensuring sales growth and profitability as well as return on investment for customers by actively managing and expanding existing customer accounts through upselling and cross selling. Furthermore, the Account Manager will be responsible for growing revenue by acquiring new profitable mining customers through high-level engagements.

The position is directly accountable for every aspect of the Sales and Marketing activity and related profitability for commercial fuels & Lubricants.

• For new and existing customers, define and regularly review relevant customer relationship behavioral and differentiated service banding and their sales & marketing plan.
•  Plan customer calls and visit to provide appropriate level of service to existing and new customer with a focus on retaining/expanding existing business relationship. Prepare call and trip plan using the Astron Energy sales way.
• Review & plan customer business, products, service packages, contracts, prices, credit terms, credit limit and debt.
• Carry out negotiations with customers, preparing quotations and proposal and agree on all operational requirements (including: price, contract, payment terms and services)
• Ensure all internal service providers carry out the agreed terms.
• Ensures that all customers interaction activities are properly logged and updated in the appropriate CRM systems (e.g. Hubspot) 
• Propose and sell marketing initiatives to new and existing customers against set targets as defined with marketing team.
• Work with other Astron Energy teams and third parties (e.g. logistics, STO/Supply Chain, credit, legal, STL, NSM) where necessary to provide an efficient and cost effective service to the customer.
• Accelerate bottom-line improvement through effective profit & loss management.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through effective Capex and Opex management
• Be responsible and proactively in HES issues that affects the individual, the office/field environment and their customers.
• Be accountable for own development plan to continuously improve competencies.
• The Account Manager is expected to grow the mining portfolio through hunting of new business within the sector.
• Maintains a strong sales pipeline and generates strong leads for the business unit
• Develop new opportunities with prospective customers independently from leads developed through Deal Progression Tabulator

Qualifications

• Senior Certificate with relevant tertiary qualification.

Job Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• This position requires 3-5yrs Commercial Sales experience and product knowledge.
• The incumbent needs to have a clear view of customer profitability and NOI drivers.
• Incumbent will exhibit a clear understanding of Marketing operations within South Africa and the ability to develop strong relationships with customers.
• The incumbent requires an ability to monitoring and analyzing market intelligence and delivering a compelling Astron Energy’s Customer Value Proposition (CVP) to meet customer needs. Monitor and analyze competitor trends (pricing, CVPs, etc).
• Maintain and develop relationships with all stakeholders within the customer’s business, while demonstrating the ability to influence key influential stakeholders.
• Demonstrates an ability to enforce all terms and conditions of all product agreements.
• Incumbent must have strong financial, analytical skills, and a solid working knowledge of SAP, PC software applications (i.e. Excel, Word, Outlook & PowerPoint),
• Must be in possession of a good understanding of the oil industry in RSA, the environment in which the company operates, and the overall Marketing objectives and vision in order to ensure alignment of goals with strategic direction.
• Needs minimal supervision & at times will operate under tight or stringent deadlines.
• Strong negotiation and consultancy skills required.
• Collaboration with other functional groups in order to execute for enterprise value.
• Must demonstrate and role model Key Leadership behaviors: § Results: Business case driven and stretch goal oriented while constantly challenging the cost of how we do things. § Speed: Tolerate higher risk, demonstrate urgency & decisiveness. § Simplicity: Set priorities and ensure work is fit for purpose

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The Project Ikhwezi Finance Lead is responsible for various tasks relating to the financial aspects of Project Ikhwezi including managing the Project Accountants by inspiring a team environment with an open communication culture. This includes daily management of deliverables, delegating tasks and setting deadlines and ensuring roles and responsibilities within the finance team are adhered to.
This includes but limited to the following :

• Creation of automated worksheets.
• Compilation of reconciliations, budgets, and forecasts
• Approving and reviewing of Final Accounts, reconciliations and payments
• Managing the branded marketers invoicing for rebranding and any claims that arise
• Creation of project budget within SAP
• Analysis of Chevron Licensing fees and forecasting
• Overseeing all deadlines are met and processes comply with standards and contracts

Financial Perspective

• Minimal recycle of manual journals for clerical/careless errors
• No missed or unreasonably overdue deliverables
• Ensure all GL-accounts are reconciled monthly under the in terms of account reconciliation standards
• Ensure all GL-accounts are reconciled monthly under the in terms of account reconciliation standards
• Ensure year-end deliverables for the annual external audit are prepared for accounts under reconciliation
• Preparation and submission of ad-hoc GO-1627 form with turnaround as per contract requirements with Uphondo unless otherwise arranged with requestor
• Minimal to no recycling of GO-1627 forms due to clerical/careless error (e.g.omission of bank details, adequate documented support
• Creation of purchase orders in Ariba
• Preparation of asset CAL forms within agreed turnaround after site completions and final accounts.
• Minimal to no recycling of asset CAL forms due to clerical/careless error (e.g. asset write off periods, amounts capitalised)
• Preparation and submission of GO-1627 payment requests for Uphondo credit notes and other ad-hoc Ikhwezi related invoices (e.g. bulk fund payments)
• Prepare asset CAL Forms: Branded Marketers

Customer Perspective

• Year-End External Audit
• Uphondo information sharing and communication
• Prepare manual invoices for Branded Marketer signage payments
• Managing rebranding cost recovery
• Monthly General Ledger reconciliations
• Chevron Licensing fees
• Branded Marketers

Business Excellence

• Minimal recycle of account reconciliations for clerical/careless errors. Once matter has been raised in a particular month-end expectation is checks will be designed or procedural documents will be updated to ensure no repeat offences.
• Evidence of trace and escalation procedures performed as part of standard account reconciliation process

People Management

• Managing the team members and ensuring responsibilities are assigned and tracking of deliverables.

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• B.Com Accounting Degree or equivalent Accounting qualification

Work Experience:

• 10+ years of post-qualification work experience in finance and accounting roles

Knowledge and skills:

• Oil industry knowledge/Experience (Preferred);
• SAP (Preferred)

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Reporting to the Drawing Office Lead,The Snr Mechanical Design Draughtsperson has the responsibility for all Mechanical, Piping & Structural drawings needed to complete a project.

• Technically responsible for quality and designs of all draughting work produced.
• Develop time estimate and schedule for jobs (scope of work).
• Providing approved for construction (AFC) drawings for:
• Field support – break-in work and emergencies
• Engineering Works Request (EWR)
• Tank refurbishments
• Integrity Threat Recommendations - ITR’s
• Replacement in kind (RIK)
• “As-Build” update of drawings
• Piping Isometrics on new/existing pipelines – 3D modelling utilizing CADWorx and generating Bill of Materials (BOM)
• Structural – pipe supports, platforms, walk-ways, cat walks, etc.
• Mechanical – Vessels, Boilers, Tanks, pumps, etc.
• Civil – concrete pump bases, footings, etc.
• Refinery Plot/Key Plan updates.
• Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) on Plot Plans updates.
• Checking of drawings for correctness and Standards prior to submittal for approval.
• Understanding and developing Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&I.D's).
• Mentoring of learners or new employees
• Assisting the DO lead with workload distribution
• Job duration estimations
• Preparing Scopes of Work for any draughting outsourcing that may be required.
• Field Verification & Validation

Professional Qualification and Certifications

• Professional Qualification and Certifications:  B-Tech / N.Dip Mechanical Engineering preferred;
• Technical Engineering Drawings certification plus strong track record in Refinery or similar Heavy industry

Work Experience:

• 5+ years’ experience essential in a Petrochemical Manufacturing environment.
• Good knowledge of ASME and the American Petroleum Institute (API), South African National Standard (SANS) and other Codes and Standards related to Petrochemical Plants.
• Demonstrated knowledge in AutoCAD including Ancillary Software and Intergraph SmartPlant Foundation (SPF) strongly preferred.
• Experience in developing piping isometrics and detail mechanical drawings using AutoCAD.

Knowledge and skills:

• Ability to build strong customer-focused relationships amongst the various Business Units.
• Manages own time to ensure efficient and productive work output.
• Keep pace with Technology advancement of Designs and Draughting products and software tools. Strong planning, prioritization and time-management skills
• Able to manage high volume of workload with competing priorities and deadlines
• Strong work ethic and commitment to deliver results the right way yet with a sense of urgency and accuracy
• Able to function individually and as a Team Member with minimal supervision
• Ability to read and understand various drawings, including P&ID symbols as used in various standards.
• Fluency in English is essential.
• Good communication, organizational and administration skills.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Cad Worx, MS Office (Word, Excel, and Power Point)
• Able to work in a high volume and a fast-paced environment.

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• The Project Ikhwezi Accountant is responsible for various tasks relating to the financial aspects of Project Ikhwezi including managing orders in Ariba and processing journals relating to the area. The accountant is also responsible for the fixed asset process to facilitate the write off and close out of signage as well as performance of monthly general ledger reconciliations.

Financial Perspective

Perform Monthly Tasks:

• Prepare and process journals for all Ikhwezi related adjustments including
• Scanning fees re-allocations
• GL reallocations
• Cost Centre reallocations
• Project reallocations
• Ensure all GL-accounts are reconciled monthly under the in terms of account reconciliation standards
• Ensure year-end deliverables for the annual external audit are prepared for accounts under reconciliation
•  
• Creation of purchase orders in Ariba
• Create purchase orders in Ariba for marketing expenses
• Verify supporting documents to details of Ariba purchase orders
• Follow up on any open orders in Ariba on a regular basis
• Update tracking and reporting templates by comparing Ariba details to SAP

Preparation and submission of GO-1627 payment requests for Uphondo credit notes and other ad-hoc Ikhwezi related invoices (e.g. bulk fund payments)

• Complete GO-1627 forms
• Ensure forms are timeously submitted to approvers in order to adhere to payment due dates

Prepare asset CAL Forms

• Prepare CAL316 asset write off form for signage at sites where rebranding is completed
• Prepare CAL141 asset close out forms for sites where final accounts has been paid and closed out
• Perform verification to ensure asset values agree to supporting documentation and AUC as recorded to date.
• Minimal recycle of manual journals for clerical/careless errors.
• No missed or unreasonably overdue deliverables.
• Orders not created accurately
• Supporting documentation not agreeing to order details
• Evidence of validation checks performed to agree Ariba details to SAP
• Preparation and submission of ad-hoc GO-1627 form with turnaround as per contract requirements with Uphondo unless otherwise arranged with requestor
• Minimal to no recycling of GO-1627 forms due to clerical/careless error (e.g. omission of bank details, adequate documented support)
• Preparation of asset CAL forms within agreed turnaround after site completions and final accounts.
• Minimal to no recycling of asset CAL forms due to clerical/careless error (e.g. asset write off periods, amounts capitalised)

Customer Perspective

Year-End External Audit Support

• Produce data for GL accounts under reconciliation as per External Audit Deliverable list
• Provide External auditors with required supporting documentation for site payments and asset close outs.
• Attend to External Audit queries within reasonable timeframe
• Work with external auditors to resolve contentious audit matters

Uphondo information sharing and communication

• Provide data as requested
• Discuss and resolve any discrepancies in invoices, payments details and supporting documentation.  

Prepare manual invoices for Branded Marketer signage payments

• As part of BM site close outs procedures
• Ensure invoice details agree to contract and relevant supporting details.
• No unreasonably overdue audit deliverables
• Regular communication and interaction with Uphondo.
• No unreasonably overdue outstanding information requests.
• No unreasonably overdue outstanding manual invoices to be issued.

Internal Processes

Monthly General Ledger reconciliations

• Prepare monthly general ledger reconciliations for assigned GL accounts
• Follow up on long outstanding/overdue items in line with account reconciliation trace and escalation procedures
• Ensure retention account is aged appropriately according to site close outs.  Ensure timely payment of any amounts reaching the contract period. 
• Track Bulk fund payments per site to monitor offsets of original amounts paid.  Escalate any amounts not recovered with site close outs.  Retain e-mail correspondence as audit evidence of communications. 
• Submit account reconciliations for review in line with pre-agreed timelines

Ad-hoc system implementation or improvement

• Log SAP Support tickets for any systems deficiencies identified during the course of daily/month-end task execution
•  Take responsibility for tickets raised and trace and escalate if not resolved timeously
• Account reconciliations are timeously performed on a monthly basis (in line with annual pre-communicated deadlines)
• Evidence of trace and escalation procedures performed as part of standard account reconciliation process
• Minimal recycle of account reconciliations for clerical/careless errors. Once matter has been raised in a particular month-end expectation is checks will be designed or procedural documents will be updated to ensure no repeat offences.
• No unreasonably overdue unresolved SAP technical matters. Where SAP tickets remain open for >1 month there must be evidence of trace and escalation

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• B.Com Accounting Degree or equivalent Accounting qualification (required)

Knowledge and skills:

• 1 – 2 years of post-qualification work experience
• MS Office (Required),
• SAP (Preferred),
• Oil industry knowledge/Experience (Preferred)

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To execute the Network Development strategy through the development and management of a healthy NTI/NTC pipeline, including a strong landbank portfolio.

• Responsible for planned actions related to network development, Investor
• Trade Class growth activities and processes.
• Growing sales revenue employing a targeted new site acquisition approach. Identifying market opportunities and sequencing requirements for New- To- Company and New To Industry Sites and being responsible for planned actions related to network development.
•  Ensure legal compliance of site development and site conversions proposals that pertain to any transactions including but not limited to 3rd
• Parties, Landlord, Retailers, Branded Marketers, training, development and maintenance of legal standards to all support staff, manage Conveyancingmatters, etc.
• Develops and ensures approval of business cases for site upgrades andknock down rebuilds (KDR).

Financial Perspective

• Assessing risk and financial viability of agreements with Landlords, operators, Agents &/ Property Owners.
• Developing profitable and sustainable deals by building sound financial deals that meet/exceed defined financial performance metrics, taking full accountability of all inputs.
• Tracks results and makes continuous improvements on total profitability. Ensure margins are achieved for the Retail portfolio for which they have responsibility.
• Understands deal making, costs, pricing exposure elements to suggest potential solutions in managing such costs and risks for maximizing profitability.
• Consistent application of economic analysis and asset valuation, and use of internal and external data as decision making inputs for the long-term economic valuation model.

Customer Perspective

• Manage the Growth of New business within the Retail Business (NTI’s and NTC’s).
• Negotiating Purchase, Lease and supply agreements with new customers and existing customers of Astron Energy.
• Monitor ongoing real estate market changes and competitive landscape to inform and update pipeline development as well as negotiations.
• Manage landbank portfolio including all requirements and obligations.
• Positive and sustainable customer relationships to ensure continuity and credibility of negotiation and engagements
• Conduit between Astron Energy and customer for all potential negotiations from inception to conclusion
• Stewarding successful completion of high priority projects intended to enhance efficient delivery of value proposition to retail investors
• Understanding of competitor environment and through Market Intelligence monitors key market forces such as market size, annual growth rate, profit margin, competitive intensity, regulatory environment, technological requirements, margin vulnerability and environmental impact.

Business Excellence

• Interfaces with Sales, Construction and Network Planning teams on a scheduled basis to develop and analyse network priorities and to grow the pipeline.
• Facilitate and coordinate with Finance for landlord financial instrument support [including Grants, DML, lease premiums, commissions etc.] to enhance retail service stations and secure lease and or supply agreements
• Facilitate and coordinate with Legal to ensure currency and validity of agreements in line with the class of trade as well as ensuring the terms and conditions of the commercial deal and captured in the relevant agreements.
• Responsible for seeing new deals through to the execution phase including the correct SOCA approvals.

People Management

• Management of relationships and influence with internal and external key stakeholders to meet terms of agreements and in a timely manner, and ensure all required activities are effectively completed. Proactively communicate issues and concerns that may hay have impact on the project to the appropriate leader/manager.
• Management of healthy Relationships with Landlords, Agents &/ Property Owners and other appropriate external stakeholders.

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• Commercial business degree or equivalent.
• Financial degree or experience in finance will be advantageous

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in developing a retail site portfolio and negotiating property deals and refurbishments preferably within the Petrochemical Retail industry
• Knowledge of the petroleum industry regulations including the Regulated Accounting System [RAS]; Lease and supply agreement negotiations experience is essential
• Commercially savvy Property negotiator with an in depth understanding of Commercial Property law and Finance.
• Business case development
• Independently leading Real Estate negotiations and some experience in town planning
• Relationships with local authorities will be an advantage.

Knowledge and skills:

• Strong Project management experience and the ability to understand and review legal documents
• Sound understanding of the South African oil industry Retail business
• Good communication skills at all levels
• High level of attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, legal, financial, and analytical background, together with significant industry and trade-class-specific experience, as well as experience in the execution of complex cross-functional projects.
• Budget management
• Proficiency in Commercial negotiations with an understanding of property law and financial principles in the development of proposals.
• Must be highly networked and bring own social capital into the role.
• Influential skills a must
• Strong Presentation Skills with proven record of accomplishment in constructing differentiated customer value propositions. 
• Analyzes a problem and often resolves them with little assistance from supervisor or peers.
• Ability to build mutually beneficial and credible relationships in the Investor community. 
• Must understand and provide expert decision support on investor trade class programs, retail support offerings, and strategic portfolio decisions.