SummaryCHS, Inc. is hiring a Senior VCO Engineer - Short-Range - Refined Fuels at our McPherson refinery responsible for refinery-level short-term production planning, LP model stewardship, economic evaluation, and operational performance analysis in support of refinery execution.
Reporting to the Director, Value Chain Optimization (VCO), this role leads development of the monthly operations plan, supports refinery LP model and crude assay database integrity, and provides economic modeling support for refinery operations, crude oil supply, refined fuels sales, pipeline operations, and capital investments. This position requires strong technical capability in refinery processes and linear programming applications. The role ensures refinery planning accuracy, operational responsiveness, and economic rigor while partnering with the Mid-Range E&P Engineer to align short-term execution with mid-term value chain strategies.
ResponsibilitiesShort-Term Production Planning & Operations Support - Prepare and present the monthly refinery operations plan.
- Develop refinery production plans including throughput, crude slate, yields, blending strategies, and inventory targets.
- Conduct monthly post-audits and benchmarking analysis to evaluate refinery performance against plan.
- Analyze crude refining values and provide short-term economic optimization recommendations.
- Support refinery response to operational changes, unit outages, constraint shifts, or market movements.
- Interface with crude oil scheduling, refinery operations, and laboratory personnel to ensure production orders are operationalized through the refinery. From crude oil input to blending to finished product.
LP Model Stewardship & Database Integrity- Maintain refinery LP model database, including integration of unit test run data and operational updates.
- Monitor unit operations and yields and update LP inputs as appropriate.
- Support maintenance of LP configuration for refinery inputs, processes, blending operations, and inventory options.
- Maintain refinery crude assay database and ensure accurate crude quality representation.
- Ensure alignment between LP assumptions and actual refinery operating conditions.
Economic Studies & Capital Support- Performance Support economic studies to facilitate refinery and commercial decisions.
- Assist in evaluation of crude supply opportunities and commercial transactions impacting refinery economics.
- Prepare economic analysis for initiatives including discounted cash flow and payout evaluations.
Analysis & Benchmarking- Support refinery performance benchmarking and reporting activities.
- Prepare performance reports and communicate economic results to refinery leadership.
- Identify operational improvement opportunities through economic and yield analysis.
- Represent refinery commercial interests in internal and external discussions as needed.
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Collaborate with refinery operations, process engineering, supply teams, and commercial stakeholders.
- Provide consultative input to mid-term planning alignment discussions.
- Support LP improvement and data validation initiatives in coordination with the Mid-Range E&P Engineer.
- Communicate 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
- 4+ years experience in refinery or related downstream energy experience.
Additional Qualifications- Understanding of crude oil refinery processes.
- Working knowledge of linear programming concepts and refinery LP models.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to manage dynamic operational variables.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal relationship skills.
- Experience supporting refinery economic analysis or optimization initiatives.
- Knowledge of refinery LP systems such as Haverly GRTMPS or similar linear programming software.
- Knowledge of process simulation tools such as Petro-SIM or Aspen HYSYS.
- Oil & Gas industry experience.
- 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.
