Senior Trade Operator- Logistics

Synthomer is an innovative and differentiated global leader in sustainable polymer solutions. The Group is one of the world’s foremost suppliers of water-based polymers and has leadership positions in many markets. Our polymers help customers create innovative new products and enhance the performance of existing products in key industries such as coatings, construction, adhesives, textiles, paper and nitrile medical gloves.

With the acquisition of Eastman Adhesive Resins in 2022 and Omnova Solutions in 2020, Synthomer grew its global manufacturing network, expanded its product portfolio and boosted its geographical presence, allowing it to better serve over 6000 customers around the world. Synthomer has its operational headquarters in London, UK, and provides customer-focused services from regional centres in Harlow, UK; Marl, Germany; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Beachwood, Ohio, USA. It employs more than 5000 employees across over 40 sites and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Purpose Of The Job

The Senior Trade Operator is responsible for overseeing all physical transactions involving Styrene, Vinyl Acetate Monomer, Butadiene, and Butyl Acetate, as well as managing the corresponding order-to-cash and purchase-to-pay processes within the Synthomer Trading ERP system. This role also encompasses inventory management for external storage facilities. The Senior Trade Operator ensures the safe and reliable delivery of products while balancing cost and service levels to optimise business value. Additional duties include training and mentoring Junior Trade Operators, who will report functionally to this position. Collaboration with Procurement Managers is essential to identify innovative solutions, leveraging expert knowledge in operations and logistics to address complex operational challenges.

The role also involves working closely with planners to supply Synthomer plants with feedstocks, ensuring strict compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards. Furthermore, the position entails managing marine shipping activities for the Adhesives business, primarily focusing on C9 and Piperylene, with a primary emphasis on Rotterdam and additional operations in Asia and the United States. Supervision of logistics for the C9 production site from Germany to Antwerp, as well as barge activities to Middelburg, is also a key responsibility.

Main Accountabilities

• The senior operator is expected to proficiently manage all operational elements related to commercial transactions involving Styrene, BA, VAM, and Butadiene. This role necessitates close collaboration with production facilities to guarantee a consistent supply of feedstock. Additionally, the operator will engage with third-party entities, including suppliers, customers, terminals, and shipping companies, ensuring that all logistical operations strictly adhere to Synthomer’s SHE policies to facilitate the safe transport of hazardous materials.
• The individual must be capable of entering and fulfilling all SAP and database requirements pertinent to the Order to Cash and Purchase to Pay processes. This includes ensuring the timely generation of invoices and the execution of supplier payments in response to any inquiries.
• As the primary point of contact for the operational team regarding operational or system-related inquiries, the Senior Operator must possess expertise in various relevant areas.
• It is essential to establish and maintain robust operational relationships with external trading partners, demonstrating a thorough understanding of both long- and short-term supply agreements as well as spot transactions. The operator will be responsible for planning and coordinating the monthly supply strategy to production facilities, ensuring implementation in the most cost-effective manner while serving as the frontline contact within the designated product area. Additionally, the operator will assist in resolving payment disputes as directed by the credit department to minimise overdue accounts.
• The role includes overseeing the appointment of surveyors and managing tank inventory levels to ensure accuracy at the end of each month.
• Responsibilities also encompass the chartering of barges and vessels, along with negotiating freight rates when contracts are not in place.
• The operator must adhere to all protocols concerning emergency actions and prior cargo requirements for barges and vessels.
• Monitoring, managing, and negotiating barge and ship demurrage claims within the operational team and across the broader Synthomer organisation is also required.
• The operator will coordinate with counterparties to ensure on-time, in-full (OTIF) deliveries to customers via road tankers, barges, or vessels, and will manage monthly OTIF reports to ensure readiness for submission.
• Initial management of any SHE-related issues, including those involving off-spec materials, will also fall under the operator’s responsibilities.
• The role encompasses functional line management and the responsibility for training and mentoring junior Trade Operators.
• The position involves overseeing shipping operations related to Middelburg and Gent, which includes managing vessels, barges, and STS operations. Collaboration with the sites is essential to effectively manage inventory and mitigate potential demurrage charges.
• Additionally, engagement with the new Bohlen site is required to facilitate the efficient collection of production materials destined for Middelburg. This entails utilising trucks and barges for transportation while ensuring proper inventory management at the production site and maintaining adequate supplies for Middelburg to prevent stock shortages.
• The shipping operations for Synthomer charters in Asia involve the transportation of C9 and Piperylene for both Middelburg and Houston.
• Conducting cost analyses to pinpoint areas for improvement is also a key aspect of the position.
• Involvement in projects such as Pathway (an SAP enhancement initiative) and the operational takeover of external storage tanks is expected.

Skills & Attributes

• A comprehensive background in the scheduling and planning of vessels and barges, with additional experience in road and rail logistics considered advantageous.
• A solid grasp of charter parties and TTB regulations is essential.
• Proficient in contract law, maritime regulations, and trading practices.
• Skilled in calculating demurrage and addressing disputes effectively.
• Experience in SHE (Safety, Health, and Environment) activities related to seabourne, road, and rail logistics.
• Advanced knowledge of SAP, particularly in sales and purchasing functions.
• Capable of mentoring and training less experienced team members.

Experience/Minimum Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of scheduling, planning of bulk vessels and barges, preferably within the chemicals sector. RTC and road operations associated with Petrochemical products would be a bonus.
• Knowledge of SAP or ERP essential.
• Working knowledge of contract and maritime law and trading conventions and charter parties.
• Demonstrable skills with demurrage calculations and claim challenges.

Education: Strong communication abilities are essential; proficiency in additional languages is advantageous but not mandatory. A degree or relevant demonstrable experience in a similar position is required.

Location and Travel requirements:

The position will be located at our headquarters in London, with a minimum requirement of three days per week as part of the hybrid working arrangement.

In Addition, We Offer a Highly Desirable Benefits Package

• Private health insurance
• Company bonus scheme
• Contributory pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Life insurance
• Support counselling
• Company social events throughout the year

Why Synthomer?

We are ambitious!

We have grown significantly – both organically and inorganically. We are a FTSE 250 listed company, 22% of our revenue comes from newly commercialized products, and we’re recognized in the top-quartile for chemicals manufacturing safety.

We believe in high challenge, high support!

We are keen to let you contribute in real roles from day 1. We expect a lot, but offer a lot, too. This includes onboarding, induction and learning events, networking opportunities, mentoring and personal development planning. So, be up for an inspiring long-term career adventure.

We personalize our approach to development!

At Synthomer, you won’t find generic career tracks or development programs but rather a one-size-fits-one approach to employee development. We’ll partner with you to ensure you have the right experiences that build your capabilities and accelerate your career growth.