SUMMARY

Supports business, market, competitive, financial, and operational analyses in support of Westlake’s North American businesses. Develops, refines, and recommends actions resulting from benchmarking and other studies, supply/demand/selling price trends, econometric/financial models, forecasts, and budgets. Projects, understands, and supports management to control business results against plan. Provides financial analysis support for improving commercial and operational strategies. Prepares monthly reports for the Department. Conducts special studies and valuation analysis as required for the business and its growth opportunities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Business Analysis:
• Provide needed financial, business, valuation and sensitivity analyses for major capital projects and growth opportunities
• Assist with benchmarking, competitor analysis, market intelligence gathering and other key studies
• Play key role in developing long-range financial forecasts for the annual strategic planning process
• Conduct financial analysis of monthly data from various financial systems to aid performance tracking and variance analysis.
• Gather, organize, and analyze market data related to trends in supply demand, product price, feedstock cost, etc. for the industry and support data presentation to the business as needed.
• Support preparation of strategic presentations for senior management and prepare monthly reports as needed.
• Participate in cross functional projects such as product profitability and identify process improvement opportunities to support digitalization initiatives.
• Comply with all Company policies and procedures.
• Fully supports Company goals of continuous improvement and operational excellence at strategic and tactical levels including reviewing area of responsibility for improvement opportunities to initiate projects or communicate ideas to management as well as active participation on project teams.
• Any additional responsibilities or tasks as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in Finance, Engineering, or Accounting discipline required.
• Hands-on knowledge of various financial systems like EPM, SAP, BI, etc.
• Requires minimum 7 years of work experience in Business Analysis, or related field. Prefer chemical, petroleum, or manufacturing business experience.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and to develop in these areas.
• Incumbent must have strong analytical/modeling skills, understanding of financial concepts like NPV, IRR, cash flow and margin analysis in chemical, petroleum, or manufacturing industries.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office products including Excel, Word and PowerPoint and be able to develop accurate, detailed analyses under time pressure.
• Experience with data mining, queries from business intelligence / business warehouse preferred.
• Must have effective verbal/written/presentation skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel up to 10% including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.