Refinery / Asset Economist (m/w/d)

About the job

Refinery / Asset Economist

(m/f/x)

Hours: full time
Location: Baar/Switzerland

The Position

The Asset Economist supports the economic optimization of VARO’s Cressier refinery with a primary focus on crude diet optimization, feedstock evaluation and short-term margin maximization.

This role sits at the interface between refinery operations and commercial functions. The position requires a solid understanding of refinery processes, crude qualities and yield structures, combined with hands-on use of LP models to translate market signals into operational decisions.

Your Key Responsibilities

(1) Refinery Crude Slate Optimization

• Run and analyze the refinery LP model to optimize:

  • Crude slate composition

  • Feedstock import economics

  • Intermediate and product yield structure

  • Quantify margin impact of price movements, operational constraints and blending limitations

  • Monitor deviations between LP plan and actual performance and analyze economic root causes

    The focus of the role is practical optimization — not theoretical modelling.

     (2) Short-Term Commercial Steering

    • Support implementation of the monthly operating plan through ongoing economic analysis

    • Provide import/export economics for feedstocks and products

    • Support trading, product supply & marketing and logistics with economic insights and direction

    • Identify short-term optimization opportunities (e.g. quality giveaway reduction, constraint debottlenecking)

       (3) Cross-Functional Collaboration

      • Act as central office contact for day-to-day refinery economic topics

      • Align regularly with external stakeholders and on-site planning and scheduling team

      • Prepare and present structured updates on refinery economics to internal stakeholders

      • Travel to Cressier refinery at least twice per month

         (4) Data & Performance Analysis

        • Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards to monitor plan vs actual performance, operational constraint impacts and main margin drivers

        • Analyze trends to identify recurring optimization potential

          
          

          Your Profile

          Experience

          • 1–3 years of relevant industry experience in:

            • Refinery planning or scheduling

            • Process engineering in refining

            • Refinery LP modelling

            • Previous direct exposure to refinery operations and processes is strongly preferred

               Technical Knowledge

              • Understanding of crude oil qualities & core refinery processes, typical refinery margin drivers and constraints

              • Experience in running and analyzing LP models (Haverly GRTMPS, Aveva USC Plan or Aspen PIMS)

              • Strong Excel skills & Power BI proficiency required

                 Personal Capabilities

                • Strong analytical and quantitative mindset & structured problem-solving approach

                • Ability to translate technical constraints into economic implications

                • Comfortable working in an operational, fast-moving environment

                • Proactive and eager to deepen technical expertise

                • Fluent in spoken and written English, working knowledge of French strongly preferred

                   Education

                  • Degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Energy Economics or similar quantitative discipline

                    
                    

                    We Offer

                    • A professional and very well connected work environment with a young and international Team in a growing company

                    • An attractive workplace in Baar with great development opportunities within an international, corporate environment

                    • Attractive salary and bonus structures, as well as an employer-financed pension and accident insurance

                    • Further benefits directed towards both physical training and self-development

                      
                      

                      Are you ready to take this exciting journey with us?

                      Then we look forward to receiving your application – simply click on the “Apply now” button to get started.
                      

                      Would you like to learn more about our vision, mission and strategy?

                      You can find more information here.
                      

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