Commercial Manager, Upstream Operations

The Commercial Manager, Upstream Operations manages all existing and emerging commercial upstream operational and strategic activities including the effective management of all commercial agreements within the Upstream gas supply and Non-Operated Joint Venture portfolio.

Employment Opportunity      

Innovative minds will power the future of energy. The NGC Group has pioneered a world-class model for energy prosperity, spearheading the value maximization of our local natural gas sector.

As a member of our organization, you can seize the opportunity to advance your career potential and achieve extraordinary value for our country.

If you are focused on astute collaboration that drives competitiveness, we want you.

Value driven team players ready to be part of a dynamic environment are invited to apply for the position of:

Commercial Manager - Upstream Operations - Job ID# 13964

OBJECTIVE

The Commercial Manager, Upstream Operations manages all existing and emerging commercial upstream operational and strategic activities including the effective management of all commercial agreements within the Upstream gas supply and Non-Operated Joint Venture portfolio on behalf of NGC and NGC’s upstream subsidiary companies in a manner that is consistent with the company’s strategic objectives.

 FUNCTIONS

• Manages all existing Upstream Gas Supply Contracts with the various Upstream gas suppliers for NGC’s aggregator business as well as manage NGC and NGC’s subsidiary companies’ Upstream Non-Operated Joint Venture (“NOJV”) participating interests including in Block 1(a), Block 2(c), Block 3(a), SECC and TSP and ensures that proper systems and applicable Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”) are in place for the effective management and adherence of the existing contractual and statutory obligations and the performance of the upstream and upstream NOJV portfolios are optimized to achieve the company’s strategic and value optimization targets.
• Assesses global and local energy industry trends, commodity price forecasts, economic indicators and remains current on industry transactions and trends as well as other applicable industry indicators for effective business decision-making.
• Audits economic models for assurance of assumptions and calculations presented within stipulated timeframes. Documents the key components used when executing a sensitivity analysis for an economic model.
• Works closely with the Commercial Midstream/Downstream Petrochemical Operations (“MDO”) and Manufacturing Industries and Energy Efficiency (“MIEE”) divisions as well as Operations Group utilizing a team-based approach to optimise the upstream gas suppliers nominations to achieve effective gas balancing arrangements in accordance with the contractual terms and commercial management system based on actual and forecasted gas supply and demand requirements.
• Conducts annual audit on the division’s systems and processes and monthly reviews on actions plans to verify compliance and alignment with systems, policies, and processes.
• Reviews commercial terms of proposed gas contracts for alignment and risks to the company's gas portfolio strategies and provides analysis within two (2) days of notification of request.
• Applies accurate allocation and nomination processes in executing the Upstream Gas Supply and NOJV commercial management systems in deriving gas production supply forecasts.
• Verifies upstream commodity pricing, verifies and approves monthly gas prices and tariff payments if applicable, and addresses anomalies and variances in accordance with set time frames and alignment with NGC policies and procedures. Collaborates with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure that contract volumes, pricing and other applicable invoicing criteria meet the contractual obligations and are aligned to the strategic objectives of the company.
• Engages existing customers, Operators and other NOJV Partners and other relevant stakeholders including Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries to gain insight and market intelligence for the effective management including areas of misalignment of existing upstream portfolios.
• Analyses deviations to existing contract clauses to determine commercial impact and makes recommendation/s to mitigate within stipulated time frames. Ensures all contractual legacy issues that may arise due to difference in interpretation of contracts are closed within agreed stipulated timeframes as set out in annual performance management system. Holds internal and external stakeholder accountable.
• Evaluates current systems & processes and operationalises new contract within one (1) month of receipt of contract obligation listing.
• Originates value optimisation initiatives for improvement on existing commercial arrangements based on new and emerging market conditions and advances opportunities according to stipulated Project Management Methodology (PMM) stage gates.
• Manages upstream customers to address disputes through quarterly meetings and collaborating with the MDO, MI&EE and Operations Group to manage relations with upstream suppliers using a team-based approach to dispute resolution.
• For contract renewals and the introduction of new proposals or opportunities arising with existing upstream stakeholders ensure that the approved commercial negotiation framework is adhered to at all stages of the negotiations and conducts dispute resolution interventions or escalation of areas of misalignment to Vice President Commercial to mitigate risk and obtain the best possible outcomes for the NGC.
• Identifies and updates the division’s risks (point and inherent) and ensures that these risks are reviewed in conjunction with the Commercial Group risk management plans and monitors division’s risk mitigation strategies to reach As Low As Reasonably Possible (“ALARP”) levels.
• For NOJV Portfolio, coordinates and interfaces with the relevant internal Subject Matter Experts (“SMEs”) to conduct contract evaluations and prepares recommendations in accordance with applicable Joint Operating Agreements, (“JOA”).
• Manages NOJV commercial arrangements by performance monitoring and reporting of applicable Key Performance Indicators including applicable financial metrics. Ensures that all required authorisations, licences are in place, safety procedures and quality specifications are met, and performance parameters are identified. Prepares and submits monthly reports on the performance of NOJVs.
• Manages NGC’s NOJV Participating interests within Upstream assets by ensuring applicable premeeting with internal SMEs to ensure NGC’s position are clearly articulated at quarterly operating, technical and commercial committee meetings to ensure NGC’s interests are properly represented, develops systems to ensure that assets are managed effectively and ensures execution of agreed work programs and budgets in line with costs and schedule.
• Responsible for ensuring that relevant taxes on assets are paid in accordance with set time frames in Production Sharing Contracts, (“PSC”). Ensures obligations under PSCs are met.
• Provides accurate reports to NGC’s Leadership Team on the performance of division’s strategic and operational activities submits in accordance with standards, guidelines, and predetermined time frames.
• Executes any other related duties as assigned.

 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

The minimum requirements for the position are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Petroleum/Reservoir Engineering, Economics, or related degree program. 
• Recognised Diploma in Contract Management would be an asset.
• At least seven (7) years’ commercial management experience in the oil and gas industry of which three (3) years should be in commercial upstream management at a supervisory or leadership level.

 KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

 Knowledge of:

• Hydrocarbon and gas value chain derivation of gas supply pricing options
• Gas volumes calculations
• Upstream operations and key drivers
• Key components of the NGC business, gas supply contracts, Production Sharing Contracts, Joint Operating Agreements, lease agreements and gas transportation agreements
• LNG gas supply
• Contract obligation management
• Dispute resolution
• Global energy industry trends
• Types of government imposed taxes in energy and related industries
• Natural gas management systems
• Phases in the NGC Project Management Methodology
• Economic and investment assumptions and output indicators associated with investment quality, economic models, sensitivity, probabilistic and deterministic analyses, commodity price forecast
• Other varying types of commercial contracts such as confidentiality agreements, Term Sheets, Heads of Agreements, Shareholders Agreements, Joint Use and Operating Agreements etc. 

 Skills:

• Team Leadership
• Relationship management (Customer and Stakeholder)
• Communication (oral and written)
• Negotiation and conflict management
• Problem solving and analytics
• Planning and organising
• Commercial and Business acumen
• Technical and Professional: Investment Management, Commodity Price Forecasting, Contract Negotiation and Management, Management of Non-Operating Venture Commercial Arrangements, Commercial Assurance Management, Business Opportunity Development, Project Management.

 KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to influence with little or no authority; plans, executes responsibilities and makes decisions with moderate direction.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into an organised presentable manner.
• Able to work independently and as a team player, working within and across teams.
• Capable of multi-tasking and ability to handle pressure while working under tight deadlines.
• Attention to detail, requires being careful and thorough about details, recognising the impact of decisions.
• Results oriented, requires establishing and maintaining challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Service oriented, requires ability to engage and effectively manage customer expectations.
• Complex problem-solving skills, ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and identify solutions.
• Highly engaging leadership style, ability to connect well and influence others.
• Strong interpersonal relationship management, conflict management and dispute resolution skills.

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NGC offers a competitive compensation package for permanent employees, inclusive of Housing Allowance.

Interested candidates are required to apply online via the Careers tab at www.ngc.co.tt where further job details are posted.  New candidates will be required to create a Candidate Profile Account by clicking the ‘Careers’ button.

Closing date for applications September 19, 2023.

Unsuitable applications will not be acknowledged.