Refinery / Assets Economist (m/f/x)

• 15 July 2026 • 100% • Indefinite duration • Baar Refinery / Assets Economist (m/f/x) Hours: full time Location: Baar/Switzerland The Position The role of Assets Economist is based in the VAROPreem Fuel Value Chain Optimization organization in Baar, Switzerland, and focuses on the economic optimization of VAROPreem's ownership share in the Bayernoil refining asset. Bayernoil's joint venture structure creates a complex optimization environment, with significant potential for margin capture requiring close coordination between refinery operations, trading, commercial, logistics, and shareholder representatives. The Assets Economist acts as the central interface between Bayernoil refinery operations and VAROPreem's internal commercial functions, translating operational realities, market signals, and LP model results into practical daily optimization decisions. The role is perfectly suited for an experienced professional in refinery planning or optimization wishing to broaden their exposure to refining economics in Central Europe and evolve towards broader economic responsibilities in a commercially oriented environment. The Assets Economist will work closely with the Fuel Value Chain Coordinator, offering a clear development opportunity to progressively take over the economic analysis and commercial management of Bayernoil, including taking on more senior responsibilities. Your Key Responsibilities Implementation of Month M Plan & Refinery Steering • Ensure the economic direction and optimization of VAROPreem's ownership share in Bayernoil during the implementation of the month M plan. • Act as the central coordination point between Bayernoil refinery operations, on-site planning/scheduling, and VAROPreem's commercial functions. • Translate the monthly operational plan into actionable economic directives covering crude supply, product take-off, intermediates, logistics, and commercial constraints. • Prepare and coordinate weekly iterations of the intra-month plan with the refinery to maximize margin capture in changing market and operational conditions. • Evaluate and communicate the economic impact of operational deviations, unit constraints, quality issues, blending limitations, and logistical disruptions. LP-Based Optimization & Economic Analysis • Execute and analyze Bayernoil's LP model to guide short-term refinery steering and commercial decision-making. • Evaluate scenarios for crude, feedstocks, intermediates, and products to identify the most economic operational options. • Calculate break-even values for key import and export flows. • Quantify the margin impact of price movements, operational constraints, yield variations, and blending limitations. • Identify practical short-term optimization opportunities, including reduction of quality losses and unblocking of constraints. • Evaluate the impact and coordinate responses to unforeseen refinery events to mitigate the impact on the wider value chain. Performance Review & Continuous Improvement • Monitor deviations between the LP plan, refinery execution, and actual performance. • Review the refinery's post-month settlement proposals and validate reconciled mass balances. • Bring a critical eye and insights to retrospective analysis, identifying recurring performance gaps and improvement opportunities. • Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards to improve visibility of plan versus actual performance, constraint impacts, and key margin drivers. Stakeholder Collaboration & Development • Serve as the central office contact for daily economic matters of the Bayernoil refinery. • Prepare and coordinate the implementation of intermediate and blending component imports/exports with the responsible traders and logistics. • Work closely with the Fuel Value Chain Coordinator, with increasing responsibility for the economic and commercial management of Bayernoil over time. • Prepare and present structured weekly updates on Bayernoil's economics, optimization opportunities, and operational status to internal stakeholders. • Ensure succession for the Fuel Value Chain Coordinator once integrated, including designing long-term production strategy, crude evaluation, and preparation of the trading mandate. Your Profile Experience • More than 3 years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: • Refinery planning or scheduling • Refining process engineering • Refinery LP modeling. • Prior direct exposure to refinery operations and processes is strongly preferred Technical Knowledge • Understanding of crude oil qualities & key refinery processes, main refinery margin drivers and constraints • Experience in executing and analyzing LP models (Haverly GRTMPS, Aveva USC Plan or Aspen PIMS) • Advanced Excel skills & Power BI proficiency required