Area Supply Manager

Job Summary:

The Manager is directly responsible for the purchase of 350 – 400 million gallons with the timely distribution to retail locations, Wholesale and other customers.  They lead the negotiation process to obtain the most optimum price available while insuring adequate operating inventory levels.  They have seasoned experience in team dynamics with both internal and external customers and effectively use their expertise to prudently manage supply purchasing and distribution.

Key Characteristics:

• Experienced in Supply – Combines knowledge of natural gas liquids markets with seasoned negotiation and communication skills to make sound judgments and decisions.
• Leadership – Skilled in strategic planning, decision making and contingency planning.  Maintains professional networking contacts and focuses on customer service.
• Teamwork – Understands the seasonality of the business and the many internal and external factors that influence supply and demand.  Able to analyze the issues that surround the purchase and distribution of product and resolve conflicts in an effective manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement and manage annual Supply Plan.
• Lead annual, spot and ongoing negotiations for competitive purchases of propane and manage contracts with major producers involving volume, price and scheduling of approximately 350 to 400 million gallons annually.  Internally work with Teams Leads, Dispatch Coordinators and Retail Operations on actual distribution patterns to make adjustments effectively.
• Secure monthly demand projections from retail districts and wholesale representatives.  Optimize available supply through FAST system.
• Monitor delivery of propane with transportation teams to insure that no retail district, rail terminal or wholesale customer runs out of gas.
• Monitor and maintain adequate inventory levels at storage facilities, pipeline terminals, and rail terminals within regional supply areas to insure adequate supply while maximizing corporate cash flow potential (capital inventory targets).
• Monitor supply contract liftings and maintain acceptable performance standard.
• Strategically assist and monitor retail operations on actual distribution patterns to make adjustments effectively.
• Develop and implement programs to analyze annual contract performance, spot purchases and market prices to support future supply decisions and purchasing patterns.
• Maintain ongoing communications with retail operations to coordinate forecasts with supply and logistics activities.
• Locate, develop and maintain new sources of supply within areas.
• Provide administrative support in FAST as required.
• Assist in planning and implementation of price protected gallons within regional supply areas.  Understand and manage distribution of gallons within regions.
• Monitor major national and international market conditions.  Understand and anticipate their impact on regional supply areas and economics.
• Represent Supply in all inter-departmental communications and acquisitions when necessary.
• Execute all supply related requests pertaining to the internal audit by providing the needed documentation and sharing knowledge of the supply processes and procedures.
• Provide support of basic job functions during absences of Regional Team Lead.
• Assist in training new dispatch coordinators in supply process in coordination with the Regional Team Lead.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Management level competency in the supply and distribution at a nationwide level.
• Expert level negotiation and communication skills to formulate supply contracts with outside vendors and provide market information to retail operations to assist in margin management.
• Responsive to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or members of the business community.
• Keeps management informed on a routine basis with the ability to communicate as needed to public groups or business groups.

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree required in business or applicable field
• 7+ years industry related experience.
• Demonstrated and progressive responsibility in leadership role in past positions

Working conditions:

• Houston office.