Quality & Logistics Optimizer (Blender)

As a Quality & Logistics Optimizer (Blender), you will be responsible for designing, coordinating, and executing blending and logistics strategies to deliver products that meet quality specifications, timing, and location requirements at the lowest achievable cost.

Operating at the intersection of trading and operations, you will serve as a key partner to traders, maximizing commercial value through blend optimization, minimizing quality giveaway, and ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant execution across the supply chain.

In this role, you will be a key front-line operator within Shell Trading & Supply, managing blending and logistics activities across terminals, vessels, barges, trucks, and ship-to-ship (STS) operations throughout Europe.

Responsibilities

• Blending & Optimization:
• Design optimal blend recipes within quality and operational constraints.
• Ensure the delivery of on-specification products at the lowest achievable cost.
• Optimize blend economics and minimize quality giveaway.
• Continuously improve portfolio performance and blending strategies.
• Maintain active market awareness to identify component and blending opportunities.

• Operational Execution:
• Execute blending and operational plans safely, efficiently, and in line with business objectives.
• Coordinate product movements and blending activities to ensure uninterrupted supply.
• Monitor operational performance and proactively resolve issues impacting product quality or delivery.
• Ensure inventory positions and operational activities are aligned with commercial requirements.
• Drive operational efficiency while maintaining product integrity and compliance.

• Trader Partnership & Planning:
• Act as a key partner to traders and co-own the operational plan.
• Translate trading strategies into executable blending and logistics plans.
• Ensure product delivery at the right quality, location, timing, and cost.
• Provide operational insights to support commercial decision-making.

• Stakeholder & Contract Management:
• Manage external relationships with terminals, inspectors, vessel operators, additive suppliers, and counterparties.
• Engage effectively with internal stakeholders, including traders and commercial operators.
• Act as the contract holder for terminal and inspection service agreements.
• Drive performance through effective contract management, KPI monitoring, and cost control.
• Participate in contract reviews and negotiations to maximize value delivery.

• Commercial Value Creation:
• Identify and capture value opportunities across components, logistics, and blending strategies.
• Build, manage, and optimize product and component portfolios.
• Actively contribute to trading desk margins through optimization and market engagement.
• Seek arbitrage and efficiency opportunities across the supply chain.

• Performance Management & Continuous Improvement:
• Own and monitor key performance indicators related to blending, logistics, and operational performance.
• Analyze portfolio performance and identify opportunities for sustainable improvement.
• Conduct root cause analyses for operational and quality issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and promote best-practice sharing across teams.

• HSSE, Compliance & Risk Management:
• Ensure compliance with Shell HSSE standards and all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Manage product quality, contamination, operational integrity, and associated business risks.
• Ensure adherence to trading, customs, tax, and contractual obligations.
• Actively support audits, control frameworks, and risk mitigation activities.

• Team Contribution & Leadership Behaviours:
• Demonstrate strong ownership of P&L impact and cost performance.
• Operate effectively within a fast-paced, 24/7 trading environment.
• Support team resilience and business continuity through collaboration and flexibility.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing, onboarding, and capability development.
• Champion operational excellence and foster a culture of accountability.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of product quality specifications, blending methodologies, and optimization principles.
• Solid understanding of terminal operations, storage management, logistics, and supply chain processes.
• Good understanding of trading operations, commercial agreements, and contract structures.
• Basic understanding of customs requirements and their impact on blending strategies, import duties, and supply chain economics.
• Strong commercial acumen with a focus on value creation, margin optimization, and cost efficiency.
• Ability to evaluate blending, logistics, and supply chain options through a P&L and value-focused lens.
• Proven ability to make timely, high-impact decisions in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively manage complex interfaces across trading, operations, logistics, and third-party service providers.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability, with a results-driven mindset.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking capabilities, with a creative approach to identifying solutions and opportunities.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and deliver results in complex, time-critical environments.
• Collaborative team player with a proactive, self-motivated, and continuous improvement mindset.
• Flexible and resilient, with a hands-on, can-do attitude and a willingness to work outside regular business hours when required to support trading and operational activities.

What we offer

• Progress as a person as we work on the energy transition together.
• Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead.
• Work at the forefront of technology, trends, and practices.
• Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise.
• Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself.
• Benefit from flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote/mobile working.
• Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance-related salary increase.
• Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents.
• Join an organization working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world.