SummaryCHS, Inc. is hiring an Expert VCO Engineer - Mid-Range - Refined Fuels at our McPherson refinery accountable for advanced commercial analytics, LP stewardship, backcasting leadership, and mid-term value chain optimization across the Refined Fuels product line. Reporting to the Director, Value Chain Optimization (VCO), this role is responsible for supporting Mid-Term Planning processes, Supply/Demand Review forums, and cross-functional integration across refinery supply, terminals, and refined fuels trading functions. This position requires prior short-term refinery planning experience and deep expertise in refinery LP modeling, economics, constraint management, and performance analysis. The role strengthens refinery-to-market alignment and improves margin capture through structured LP health management, backcasting rigor, and value-based constraint prioritization.
ResponsibilitiesMid-Term Planning & Governance Support- Lead analytical support for Mid-Term Planning process ownership and Supply/Demand Review forums.
- Coordinate across Refinery Supply and Marketing Supply/Sales in the mid-range time horizon.
- Support Quarterly Supply/Demand/Integration
- Reviews through structured analytics and cross-functional alignment.
- Maintain and develop the Risk & Opportunity register to support mid-term decision-making.
- Provide structured economic decision support for value chain decisions including long-term agreements, channel optimization, turnaround optimization, logistics leases, and new crude opportunities.
LP Governance, Backcasting & Model Improvement - Lead cross-horizon LP improvement initiatives supporting both short- and mid-term optimization efforts.
- Perform structured backcasting (plan vs. actual analysis) to identify margin gaps, yield deviations, constraint impacts, and lost profit opportunities.
- Develop and maintain LP Accuracy Scorecards and support the LP Assurance process to compare actual results versus LP predictions.
- Coordinate LP Health Management processes and corrective action workflows.
- Support screening and validation of LP constraints to ensure model accuracy and economic relevance.
Economic Studies & Capital Support- Prepare economic analysis for capital investments, including discounted cash flow and payout evaluations.
- Provide input and analysis for annual refinery budgeting, including volume and pricing assumptions.
- Evaluation of refined fuels value chain opportunities from supply, logistics, refining and product distribution.
Constraint & Performance Optimization - Lead annual constraint review processes and support prioritization based on economic impact.
- Develop and maintain a centralized constraint register, incorporating marginal value insights from production plan outputs.
- Support integration of constraint management outputs into planning cycles and mid-term reviews.
Margin Improvement & Value Capture - Identify, quantify, and document downstream gross margin improvement and value capture opportunities.
- Install and maintain KPIs for mid-term planning effectiveness and LP accuracy initiatives.
- Generate forward-looking improvement actions based on retro-analysis of refinery performance.
- Support Executive Management Operating System KPI reporting through structured analytics and standardized reporting tools.
Planning Systems & Tool Governance Support - Support governance and continuous improvement of LP tools, planning systems, and associated data structures.
- Ensure rigorous data validation, model configuration accuracy, and alignment between LP inputs and operational performance.
- Collaborate with the Short-Range E&P Engineer to ensure consistent LP assumptions and coordinated model updates.
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Collaborate with refinery operations, process engineering, capital planning, finance, crude supply, trading, economics, product supply and go to market stakeholders to optimize value chain.
- Provide consultative input to short-term planning alignment discussions.
- Support LP improvement and data validation initiatives in coordination with the Short-Range E&P Engineer.
- Communicate mid-range planning assumptions, risks, and economic impacts clearly across functions.
Minimum Qualifications (required)- Bachelor's degree (B. S.) in applicable engineering field of study from an accredited four-year college or university
- 7+ years of refinery experience, including prior short-term refinery planning experience
Additional Qualifications- Deep understanding of crude oil refinery processes.
- Advanced understanding and practical application of LP processes.
- Demonstrated experience in refinery economics, production planning, and performance analysis.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to manage complex, multi-variable operational and commercial scenarios.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
- Proficiency with refinery LP systems and simulation tools such as Haverly GRTMPS, Petro-SIM, Aspen HYSYS, or similar platforms.
- Experience in downstream gross margin analysis.
- Experience leading LP improvement, backcasting, or constraint elimination initiatives.
- Experience developing LP health management or assurance frameworks.
- Oil & Gas industry experience.
- Advanced degree preferred (MBA, Engineering Management, or related discipline).
- Pre-employment screening is based on the job requirements and industry guidelines and may or may not be required for the position. If required, selected candidates must pass pre-employment screenings to include all or a combination of drug, criminal, motor vehicle check, physical requirements and FMSCA Clearinghouse.
CHS offers a competitive total rewards package. Compensation includes base wage and, depending upon position, may include other earnings such as bonus, incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary based on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, experience, education, training, specialized skills and certifications, minimum wage/salary requirements under local law.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, wellness programs, life insurance, health and dependent care spending accounts, paid time off, 401(k), pension, profit sharing, short- and long-term disability, tuition reimbursement and adoption assistance, subject to the eligibility requirements for each benefit plan.
