Head of Asset Performance

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This is for you who want to have a real impact on creating a healthier planet for our children every day. At Neste, you will be working for the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and a forerunner in developing renewable and circular feedstock solutions for polymers and chemicals. Let’s create transformation for a sustainable future together.

We are looking for a Head of Asset Performance to join Martinez Renewables. You will be hired by Neste and seconded to Martinez Renewables. This role is based in Martinez, California.  You will be part of the Martinez Renewables Management Committee.

Established in 2022, Martinez Renewables LLC (Martinez or MR) is a joint venture between Marathon Petroleum (based in Findlay, OH), the largest independent refining company in the US, and Neste Oyj (Finland), the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Martinez Renewables produces renewable fuels, primarily renewable diesel, using organic waste fats, oils, and greases (waste and residues) as well as vegetable oils as input feedstocks. Martinez Renewable’s commercial headquarters is based in the Galleria area of Houston, TX, and Martinez Renewable’s refining facility in Martinez, California.  

This role is part of the JV Excellence and Asset Development team and reports to the Managing Director of Martinez Renewables. Neste’s regional headquarters in North America is based in Houston, Texas. Neste and affiliated entities, including Mahoney Environmental Services, Agri Trading, and SeQuential Environmental Services, employ more than 900 people across the US.

Job summary:

The Asset Performance team is responsible for overseeing Martinez Renewable’s operational execution across the feedstock-to-R100 value chain, focusing specifically on its refining operations and logistics performance, to maximize its margin capture. The team does this through benchmarking and improvement initiatives in operational performance and through engineering and capital projects that increase the asset’s performance and value.

This leadership position leads the Asset Performance team, serves as a member of the Management Committee, and interacts with the Board of Directors.

This position is accountable for overseeing the Operator’s performance though KPI’s and competitiveness benchmarking; ensuring costs are at the benchmark level; owning the continuous improvement process; and ensuring that site development is aligned with the strategic plan.

The Head must relentlessly drive value creation and optimizing Martinez operations and practices; have the ability to work in a team setting with the Managing Director, the Operator including its engineers and professionals as well as other stakeholders of the refining facility and of the Parents; and be capable of handling multiple priorities and requests in a professional, confidential, and expeditious manner.

The successful candidate must demonstrate a positive, constructive, and collaborative attitude, high work standards, strong work ethics, and an unwavering commitment to driving performance and value creation. They should be passionate about continuous improvement and possess strong organizational and communication skills across multiple stakeholders. 

In our team, you will:

• Oversee and review the performance of the Operator of the refining facility through agreed KPIs, ensuring all targets are achieved
• Conduct managerial assessment of refinery and logistics performance and ensure that the refinery’s Operations and Logistics assets meet productivity and cost benchmarks and drive continuous improvement where applicable
• Oversee the development and management of the refinery’s strategic development, optimization and asset capital plans to safely and reliably increase performance and profitability
• Collaborate with VP of Refining, Martinez to coordinate refinery operations and project organization for Martinez. Ex-officio member of the Refinery Leadership Team (RLT)
• Provides oversight, coaching, and leadership for the Asset Performance Team
  Part of the Martinez Renewables Management Committee. Participates in key decision making as a member of the Committee to drive the company’s future direction. This includes but is not limited to developing performance metrics, initiatives and tactical measures that support the company’s strategic direction.
• Engage in collaboration with other members of the Martinez Renewable’s Management Committee to ensure efficient collaboration across business functions, and establish company policies, procedures, and best practices
• Coordinate technical support from both Marathon Petroleum and Neste in coordination with site Technical Services personnel
• Research and identify intellectual property barriers to get relevant information from and to Refinery organization
• Owner of the continuous improvement process
• Owner of Refining Shared Services (services delivered to Martinez Renewable's by Marathon Petroleum in support of refining operations)

Required skills and capabilities:

• Deep understanding of petroleum refining operations and logistics (renewables refining experience a plus)
• Intimate experience with refining performance, KPI and targets setting, and benchmarking
• Understanding of refining project and portfolio management
• Ability to lead and influence without direct managerial authority
• Strong communication skills with all levels of the organization, across stakeholder groups in a joint venture setting
• Positive, solution-oriented growth mindset; takes a proactive approach to problem solving in an unstructured environment; hands-on attitude
• Willingness to develop new processes from scratch

Education & prior experience:

• Bachelor’s or (above) degree in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or Environmental Science
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in relevant roles, i.e., Technical Services, Economics and Planning, Supply Chain, and/or Refining Operations.
• Understanding of key statutory and regulatory requirements in multiple locations

Together with you and your expertise, we can make an impact today and keep our promises for tomorrow.

Reasons to join

Real impact right now

We work in an inspiring and evolving business environment, where everything we do serves one purpose: to create a healthier planet for our children. To drive a growing impact as a global leader in renewable and circular solutions, we live by our values every day: We Care, We Have Courage, We Cooperate.

Safety and caring

We value safety always and everywhere. We want our work to feel good and do good. At Neste, we nurture a culture where everyone is welcome and feels safe, respected, and encouraged to be their unique true selves.

Exciting growth

Transformation brings new possibilities and fosters our courage and curiosity. As a globally growing company, we support personal development with versatile learning and career opportunities. Collaboration is key, and we believe in flexible, smart ways of working.

In addition, we offer 

• Competitive compensation package
• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family
• 401(k) with a 7% company match plus 5.2% profit share
• Hybrid schedule: Work remotely 1–2 days per week, with 3 in-office days for collaboration
• A caring and supportive group of colleagues who share Neste’s values

Your role in creating a sustainable future

You will be responsible for managing and optimizing the strategic long-term development of the Martinez refining facility. This includes overseeing the Operator’s performance through agreed KPIs; ensuring that costs are aligned with benchmark levels; owning the JV’s continuous improvement process; and ensuring that site development initiatives are aligned with the JV’s strategic plan.

Let’s get you started

We look forward to receiving your CV and application. The recruitment process will include interviews and aptitude assessment.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification “Form I-9” upon hire. This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

About Neste

Neste creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. With over 75 years of refining expertise, we are now the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and a forerunner in developing renewable and circular feedstock solutions for polymers and chemicals.

We have set aspirational targets for climate, biodiversity, human rights, as well as our supply chain and raw materials. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery. Together with our partners, we are aiming at a carbon-neutral and nature-positive value chain by 2040. Our success is created by 5,400 professionals working in 16 countries.

Read more at neste.com. Get inspired by our story.