Expert / Sr. Specialist Planning

Job title

Expert / Sr. Specialist Planning

Grade

-

 

Stream

OQRPI  

Function

Commercial RPI- Asset Planning & Optimization - Planning & Performance  

 

Location

Oman - Muscat

Budget control

-

 

Reporting to

Manager Planning & Performance

Direct reports

-

 

Job purpose

Consolidate Asset plan initiatives and support the delivering of planned production & profitability across RPI assets by working alongside with the Commercial & Downstream team to deliver the optimum production plan for the RPI & Plastic assets using direction from the Asset Production Management plan.

 

The position will act in accordance with the Group’s Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, as well as, policies, guidelines, and standards, supported by IT Technology platform, HSE standards, Omani’s government & other legal justifications, and best international practices in consonance with national objectives.

 

Main tasks and responsibilities

 

  • Lead the consolidation and input planning data supply, analyze these data, identify deviations, and communicate these deviations.
  • Deliver the monthly RPI & Plastic’s plan that optimize/maximize the gross margin using the LP (Linear Programming: PIMS) model.
  • Communicate the output of the RPI & Plastic’s plan to the stakeholder after getting the required approval.
  • Evaluate and communicate marginal economic drivers and conduct medium-term scenario and different studies for new projects (1 month to 3 years) to support value-driven decision-making and optimize performance across supply, refining, petrochemicals, logistics, and sales
  • Update procedures as needed to reflect ongoing organizational improvements and evolving best practices.
  • Work with commercial teams on crude and feedstock selection and product dispatch optimization.
  • Conduct scenario analysis to assess the impact of operational changes, unit turnarounds, or market shifts.
  • Perform LP model runs to evaluate scenarios, margin optimization, and feedstock/product blending strategies.
  • Ensure planning inputs and outputs are aligned with corporate reporting and performance metrics (e.g., GRM, F&L%).
  • Execute KPIs with respect to the performance management process.
  • Identify bottlenecks and suboptimal operation and provides recommendations for overcoming them.
  • Monitor market trends and capitalize on medium-term opportunities to maximize business value and enhance profitability
  • Provide economic direction and planning recommendations to Plant/Lifting Schedulers from monthly planning and during significant changes in plant conditions, ensuring optimal production decisions aligned with business objectives and market economics

 

 

 

Key interactions

Internal: Commercial RPI - OMT - OQM

External: Specialized Contractors, Vendors & Suppliers.

 

Notable Working Conditions. Office environment, intensive computer screen use, sporadic visits to operation site.

 

Education requirements

Minimum of bachelor’s degree in engineering / business / finance or similar (required)

 

Language requirements 

Excellent knowledge of written, read, and spoken English (required)  Arabic - Native (desirable)

 

Background & Experience

Competencies and skills

 

  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Plus 6 years of relevant experience in refining, petrochemicals, integrated planning, optimization, supply, or oil trading.
  • Proven experience in similar planning, scheduling, economics, optimization, or commercial planning role within the refining and petrochemicals industry.
  • Experience of using Linear Programing based optimization model (ex, AspenTech PIMS, Haverly planning tool, etc) is mandatory.
  • Strong understanding of refinery operations, crude-to-products value chains, and petrochemical integration.
  • Familiarity with crude oil and petroleum product trading concepts, market arbitrage opportunities, and margin optimization.
  • Experience in conducting scenario analysis and developing short-, medium-, and long-term planning studies.
  • Experience in performance management frameworks, KPI development, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate economic insights into actionable operational recommendations.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively convey complex economic and technical information to diverse stakeholders.

 

 

Soft:

  • Lead others by example
  • Persuasive Communicate at various corporate levels
  • Ability to work across different functions.
  • Dealing with diversity and multicultural cultural background
  • Leadership and ability to influence cross-functional teams.
  • Negotiation and decision-making capabilities.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.
  • Results-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset

 

Technical: 

 

  • Computer literacy including MS Office
  • Downstream and specialty chemicals business management
  • Hydrocarbon and petrochemical value chain management
  • Planning/optimization and performance management
  • Strong knowledge of hydrocarbon, refining, and petrochemical value chains.
  •  

 

Job Req ID:  56823
Date:  Apr 27, 2026
Location: 

Muscat, DE

Entity:  OQ Refineries and Petrol
Business Unit:  OQ Refineries & Petroleum Industries
Division: 
Country/Region:  DE