US Ops Planner

LyondellBasell is a global leader in the chemical industry, known for creating innovative solutions that promote sustainable living. With a legacy spanning nearly 70 years, this company boasts significant achievements including a Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the development of its proprietary MoReTec recycling technology. LyondellBasell is dedicated to advancing sustainability through cutting-edge products and processes that address pressing global challenges such as ending plastic waste, taking climate action, and supporting thriving communities. The company specializes in producing high-quality products that have broad applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. LyondellBasell places a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, operating with a commitment to advancing good for the planet, the communities it serves, and the future workforce.

In this setting, the role of a (Senior) Optimization and Planning Analyst is crucial to the company’s operational success. This position is focused on optimizing the planning processes in order to achieve the best business results with minimized costs or maximized margins. The role involves managing the US operations planning for several products within the Intermediates and Derivatives business. It functions as a critical link between global teams in the US and Asia to ensure joint planning alignment. Responsibilities include the development and maintenance of operating plans that encompass demand forecasting, production and supply planning and optimization, distribution planning, and inventory targeting. This is a strategic role that also involves providing detailed analytical support for business optimization.

Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration define this role, requiring interaction with business units including sales, legal, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to ensure cohesive and economically advantageous operating plans. The analyst acts as a focal point for coordinating production contingency plans and short-term strategies among manufacturing, marketing, raw materials supply, and supply chain functions. Moreover, collaboration with global partners is essential for managing joint agreements like global swaps, toll agreements, and purchasing arrangements.

A typical day in this role involves margin optimization of chemical value chains regionally and globally, determining and optimizing run-rates for production units, and managing the supply-demand balance through monthly Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) processes. The analyst identifies margin improvement opportunities by analyzing value drivers and constraints and supports the Supply Review step of the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process. The role demands a thorough understanding of the manufacturing-to-customer supply chain dynamics and the ability to translate optimization results into actionable business requirements for both supply and commercial teams.

This position also includes leading crisis management efforts during supply disruptions and coaching junior team members. The Senior Optimization and Planning Analyst plays an integral part in turnaround planning, optimization initiatives, Capex project economic assessments, and the development of commercial and contracting strategies for product lines. This role requires a candidate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (preferably Chemical Engineering), a minimum of six years’ experience in manufacturing, business planning, supply chain, or commercial roles, and proficiency with analytical and decision-making tools such as PIMMS, Spiral, OMP, SAP IBP, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Joining LyondellBasell means contributing to a dynamic company that values innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability. The company offers a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture with opportunities to grow capabilities and drive results in a technically challenging environment. This is a great opportunity for professionals seeking to advance their career in a global chemical industry leader dedicated to making a positive impact on the world.