Operations Specialist

Employment Type

Exempt

(Occasional long working hours, evening, and weekend work may be required.)

Houston, Texas

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (CST)

• Approximately 200,000 metric tons of methanol annually (approximately USD $70 million in sales)

• Formaldehyde
• Acetic Acid
• Other downstream chemical manufacturers

• North America, with potential expansion into South America

• Team-oriented mindset with a positive attitude toward open communication, sharing ideas, and contributing to business strategy.
• Creative thinker with the ability to work independently to achieve business objectives.
• Minimum of three (3) years of logistics experience, preferably in the chemical industry.
• Experience managing chemical product logistics throughout the U.S., including terminals, chemical tankers, barges, railcars, trucks, and overseas transportation.
• Working knowledge of Incoterms® 2020.
• Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
• Eagerness to learn and quickly assume ownership of responsibilities.
• Excellent analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.

• Schedule and coordinate transportation plans for domestic and international shipments, including vessels and barges.
• Monitor and maintain appropriate inventory levels at U.S. storage terminals by coordinating transportation schedules and collecting sales forecasts.
• Resolve operational issues including delays, demurrage, contamination, product damage, and other logistics-related matters through effective communication with customers, suppliers, and logistics vendors.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with logistics providers to ensure smooth daily operations.

• Develop a thorough understanding of logistics agreements and contracts involving terminals, vessels, barges, railcars, railroads, and other transportation providers.
• Understand logistics-related terms and obligations within sales and purchase agreements.
• Continuously improve logistics efficiency and reduce transportation costs through optimized planning and execution.
• Analyze sales pricing, purchase pricing, logistics costs, and their impact on profitability, and provide recommendations for operational improvements.
• Maintain a database of logistics agreements and contracts with transportation vendors and participate in strategic contract negotiations.

• Provide logistics cost analysis and operational support to the sales and marketing team.
• Communicate proactively with customers to understand logistics requirements and anticipate operational needs.
• Resolve customer issues related to transportation, demurrage, contamination, and other logistics matters.
• Advise the sales team regarding logistics-related provisions in sales contracts during both negotiation and implementation.

• Travel with sales team members to visit customers and logistics vendors as needed (approximately five or more days per month, with occasional weekend travel).
• Prepare meeting agendas, discussion topics, questions, and presentations in advance.
• Follow up on action items after meetings.
• Occasionally participate in global meetings held in Japan.

• Prepare business reports, including business trip reports, monthly reports, sales forecasts, and operational updates.
• Manage regulatory compliance matters, including FDA and TSCA requirements.
• Support the customer service team during monthly account closing activities.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

• Base Salary: $66,000 – $80,000 annually (Houston, TX)
• Attractive performance-based bonus program
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid vacation and company holidays