Expert LP & APS Modelling - OQ8

Role Overview

Expert LP & APS Modelling (OQ8) at OQ, located in Duqm. This role reports to the Head of Production Planning & Scheduling with no direct reports and is responsible for maintaining and advancing refinery Linear Programming and Advanced Planning & Scheduling models to support operational excellence and margin maximization.

Company Overview

OQ8 is part of OQ, operating in accordance with the organization's Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, policies, guidelines, and international standards, supported by IT Technology platforms, HSE standards, Oman's government regulations, and best international practices aligned with national objectives.

Role Purpose

Maintain, develop, and continuously improve the refinery LP and APS Scheduling models to ensure they accurately reflect refinery configuration, feedstock characteristics, operational constraints, logistics requirements, process limitations, product specifications, and business objectives. Support informed decision-making, refinery optimization, operational excellence, and margin maximization through accurate modelling, plan-versus-actual deviation analysis, crude assay management, optimization studies, reporting, and automation initiatives. Act as the Production Planning & Scheduling focal point for all LP and APS modelling activities, accountable for model accuracy, timely monthly model delivery, stakeholder coordination, reporting, automation, and the provision of actionable insights that support refinery value maximization.

Key Responsibilities

LP Modelling

• Maintain, validate, and continuously enhance the refinery LP model to accurately represent refinery configuration, process unit performance, operational constraints, product specifications, feedstock characteristics, and economic drivers.
• Ensure LP models accurately represent current refinery operating constraints and business requirements, enabling effective planning, scheduling, optimization, and margin maximization.
• Coordinate and implement model updates resulting from operational changes, process unit modifications, catalyst changes, debottlenecking initiatives, performance improvements, and new business requirements.
• Perform LP optimization studies, sensitivity analyses, economic evaluations, and scenario modelling to support business decisions and identify value-maximizing opportunities.

APS Modelling

• Maintain, develop, and optimize the APS Scheduling model to accurately reflect refinery operation, logistics constraints, inventory management requirements, and scheduling limitations.
• Ensure APS models accurately represent current refinery operating constraints and business requirements, enabling effective planning, scheduling, optimization, and margin maximization.

Model Management & Governance

• Proactively manage the monthly LP and APS model update cycle, ensuring all model inputs, assumptions, operating parameters, constraints, and crude data are reviewed, validated, and updated in a timely manner.
• Maintain and govern the refinery crude assay database, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, completeness, and timely updates.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of model assumptions, operating limits, yields, constraints, methodologies, and change history to ensure model governance and transparency.
• Deliver validated and up-to-date LP and APS models within agreed planning and scheduling deadlines to support business decision-making.

Analysis & Insights

• Perform routine plan-versus-actual analyses to identify gaps between model predictions and actual refinery performance, determine root causes, and implement corrective model improvements.
• Provide model-based insights and recommendations on refinery performance, operational constraints, feedstock selection, planning accuracy, and value improvement opportunities.
• Support crude evaluations, feedstock flexibility assessments, operational studies, and refinery optimization initiatives through robust modelling and assay management.

Reporting & Automation

• Develop and maintain reporting systems, dashboards, visualization tools, and automated solutions to improve planning, scheduling, and modelling effectiveness.
• Support the Production Planning & Scheduling department with reporting, dashboard development, data analytics, digitalization, and process automation initiatives.
• Prepare and issue monthly modelling status reports and management updates covering model performance, update progress, outstanding actions, improvement initiatives, and key modelling activities.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Act as the focal point within the Production Planning & Scheduling function for all LP and APS modelling activities, coordinating closely with Process Engineering, Operations, Commercial, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Liaise with internal colleagues and stakeholders for day-to-day work.
• Coordinate with 3rd Party Contractors as required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in production planning, refinery optimization, refinery economics, and production scheduling.
• Demonstrated experience in refinery LP and Scheduling model development, maintenance, and validation at senior level.
• Experience in refinery processes, equipment, and optimization techniques.
• Experience in crude assay management and refinery economics.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency in Aspen PIMS™ or equivalent refinery optimization software including model development and maintenance.
• Proficiency in Aspen Petroleum Scheduler (APS) or equivalent refinery scheduling software, including model development and maintenance.
• Strong data management and analytical capabilities using Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience in reporting automation, dashboard development, and digitalization initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and coordination skills.
• Proactive and self-driven approach to managing model update cycles and improvement initiatives.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex operational and economic data.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality and model accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively across Production Planning & Scheduling, Operations, Process Engineering, and Commercial functions.
• Excellent knowledge of written, read, and spoken English.

Additional Information

• Budget Control: OPEX and/or CAPEX and/or Revenue amount as relevant.
• Working Conditions: Office environment with moderate to intensive computer screen use and occasional site presence.
• Grade: OQ8.
• Function: Commercial – Production Planning & Scheduling.