Business and Operations Manager at Alkanes-Diaplous Limited

Job Summary

• The Business and Operations Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of Alkanes Petroleum & Gas Ltd.
• This role is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, driving profitability, maintaining compliance with regulations, optimizing business processes, and ensuring the efficient management of resources to achieve strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities
Operations Management:

• To oversee vessel operations, logistics and distribution of petroleum products.
• To oversee vessel loading and discharge operations.
• To ensure smooth and timely loading, dispatch, and delivery processes.
• To monitor stock levels, ensuring optimal stock management to meet customer demands without delays or shortages.
• Develop and implement operational workflows to enhance efficiency and minimize downtime.
• Ensure adherence to all safety and operational protocols, especially during product handling and transportation.

Business Development:

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities to expand the company’s market share.
• Develop and execute sales and marketing strategies to achieve revenue and profitability targets.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders to secure long-term business growth.
• Drive customer satisfaction through efficient service delivery and product quality assurance.
• Identify growth opportunities within the downstream value chain and recommend actionable plans.

Financial Management:

• Setting up of Form M for import purposes.
• Prepare and monitor budgets for operations and business development.
• Analyze operational costs and identify areas for cost reduction without compromising quality or safety.
• Collaborate with the finance team to ensure accurate forecasting, billing, and timely payments from customers.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses to improve profitability and reduce operational costs.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements related to the industry’s operations, including licensing, permits, and environmental standards.
• Liaise with government agencies and regulatory bodies (NMDPRA, PPMC, etc) to maintain updated records and certifications.
• Monitor and implement changes in industry regulations and laws to keep operations aligned with legal standards.
• Ensure that all company’s petroleum trading licenses, Depot license, DPR Import Permits, PPPRA Certificates and Quantity Notification documents etc are up to date at all times.
• Collaborate with HSE and Quality Control teams to maintain operational safety standards.
• Mitigate operational risks through proactive risk management practices.
• Oversee audits, inspections, and regulatory filings for all operations.

Team Leadership and Management:

• Lead and mentor team members to achieve operational excellence.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, safety accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Set clear objectives and expectations for team members, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Organize training programs to enhance employees' technical and operational skills.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Maintain strong relationships with government agencies, regulatory bodies, suppliers, and clients.
• Develop and nurture cordial relationships with all the Government Regulatory Agencies (NMDPRA, PPMC, etc), and Jetty operations in Lagos, Calabar and any other location where we operate with the view to using that to ensure efficient operations during Vessel receipt. The role also includes coordination of surveyors (both internal and external) for cargo receipt, monitoring of opening & closing stock, efficient loading and ullage of trucks etc.
• Ensure seamless communication between internal departments and external stakeholders.
• Represent the organization in industry forums and stakeholder meetings.

Process Optimization:

• Identify and implement process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.
• Leverage technology and data analytics to optimize supply chain and logistics.
• Standardize operational procedures to ensure consistency and best practices.

Reporting and Performance Tracking:

• Prepare and present regular operational and business performance reports to senior management.
• Track and report on key metrics such as stock turnover, customer satisfaction, and revenue growth.
• Use data-driven insights to identify areas of improvement and drive decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or any related field.
• Minimum of 5 - 8 years of experience in operations management within the downstream oil and gas sector, with a minimum of 3 years managerial experience.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large-scale supply chain or depot operations.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of downstream oil and gas operations, including distribution, retailing, etc.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills.
• Analytical mindset with a proven ability to use data for decision-making.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements and safety standards in the oil and gas industry.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and supply chain management tools.