Job title: Principal Benchmarking
Stream: Commercial & Downstream - RPI
Function: Transformation and Innovation RPI - Performance & Initiative Management
Location: Oman –Suhar
Reporting to: Head of Performance & Initiative Management
Job purpose:
Provides thoughts, advice and guidance while leading Benchmarking initiatives at RPI under Head of Performance & Initiative Management, acting as Senior Subject matter in Value Chain analysis and optimisation benchmarking Comparing an organization's
performance, processes, and practices against industry best practices or competitors to identify areas for improvement and drive
performance enhancement, by managing the business improvement through the value chain analysis, industry benchmarking, Gap to
Potential, and generation of Business Improvement Plans for all RPI & Plastic Assets, with the specific focus on demand planning, production
planning, production execution, product delivery and product intake, inventory management; in order to support RPI & Plastics to identify
opportunities for improvement, stay competitive, and achieve their performance objectives by comparing and adopting best practices from
industry leaders.
The position will act in accordance with the Group’s Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, as well as, policies, guidelines, and international
standards, supported by an IT Technology platform, HSE standards, government & other legal justifications, and best international practices
in consonance with national objectives.
Main tasks and responsibilities
Scope:
• Value Chain analysis
• Industry benchmarking,
• Gap to Potential
• Optimisation benchmarking
• Identify areas for improvement
• Drive performance enhancement & Business improvements:
• Improvement Plans
• Demand planning,
• Production planning,
• Production execution,
• Product delivery
• Product intake,
• Inventory management
Accountabilities
Data Collection:
• Manage the data collection, aggregation for generation of the input data for all benchmarking studies and
full value chain
• Gathering relevant data and information from internal sources, industry databases, market research, and
competitor analysis.
• Ensure that the data collected is accurate, dependable, and representative of the benchmarking scope.
• Setup and maintain a system/database for all historic benchmarking input data, benchmarking and value
chain metrics and benchmarking output data in order to analyse, visualize performance trends
Value Chain analysis:
• Manage Value Chain optimisation interpretation and conversion into Gap to Potential (M$) and conversion
into Business Improvement Plans (1 to 5 years outlook)
• Understand its specific goals and objectives for the benchmarking process
• Identify opportunities in all areas of value chain for outsourcing and variabilisation of fixed cost (e.g.,
drumming, load & ship, logistic scheduling).
• Propose in/outsourcing options for cone and non-core activities, procurement strategies and seek
alignment with Commercial and RPI & Plastic Assets
Industry benchmarking:
• Define the scope of the benchmarking study and determine the areas to focus on for improvement.
• Conducts comprehensive benchmarking studies by analyzing industry data, competitor performance, and
best practices.
• Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics relevant to the organization's goals and objectives.
• Support Performance Management by developing key performance indicators, metrics, dashboards,
visualisation for the Integrated Management System for work processes, on-line benchmarks, business
performance and business improvements
Gap to Potential:
• Communicate and present the Gap to Potential in all performance domains for Head of Performance
Initiatives Management / VP Business Improvements.
• Analyses the collected data and identifies gaps and areas of improvement compared to industry
benchmarks.
• Use statistical and analytical tools to interpret the data and provide meaningful insights to the organization
Optimisation benchmarking:
• Maintain external mind-set to Industry best practices of benchmarking, improvement plans and
competitive information
• Translate operation excellence strategy in Business Improvement Plans with objectives, targets, and
performance indicators for the measurement of the desired business outcomes, the improvements and
together with Finance RPI & Plastics to make transparent and visible the improvement in the Management
Information and Financial Reporting RPI & Plastic (P&L, cash, working capital)
• Create short and long-term Business Improvement Plans with support from relevant RPI & Plastic Assets,
and Technical Services to improve the profitability (margin, COGS, manufacturing cost, coordination and
inventory cost, energy, and capex) of RPI & Plastic Assets, and achieve and maintain top quartile
performance
Identify areas for improvement:
• Based on the analysis, provides recommendations and actionable insights to the organization.
• Suggest strategies, practices, and process improvements that can help the organization enhance its
performance and achieve its goals.
Performance enhancement & Business improvements:
• May assist in the implementation of recommended improvements by working closely with the
organization's teams and departments.
• Provide guidance, support, and resources to ensure the successful adoption of best practices and
performance enhancement initiatives.
Reporting & Monitoring:
• Prepares comprehensive benchmarking reports that summarize the findings,
• Keep track on industry developments and modern technologies (Digitalisation, integrated Management
System) and industry best practice as enablers to close the Gap to Potential in the Business Improvement
Plans recommendations, and actionable insights to relevant stakeholders and management for review
and decision-making.
• Tracks and monitors the organization's progress in implementing the recommended changes.
• Assess the impact of the improvements on performance and provide ongoing support and guidance as
needed.
• Manage performance analytics and report past, current and future RPI & Plastic Assets performance
• Manage benchmarking of third-party performance as part of overall RPI & Plastic Assets performance and
improvement plans
Continuous Improvements:
• Promote effective networking, sharing of best practice across the entire RPI & Plastics value chain
• Staying Updated on Industry Trends, best practices, and emerging benchmarks.
• Continuously gather industry intelligence and stay informed about advancements that can benefit the
organization.
• Sponsor of the (un)structured data, information, and Integrated Management System for RPI & Plastic
Assets.
Training:
• Providing expertise, guidance, and training to the organization's teams involved in the benchmarking
process to ensure that the organization understands the value of benchmarking and can leverage it
effectively.
Key interactions
Internal: RPI
External: Benchmarking companies, consultants, industry events.
Notable Working Conditions: Office environment, intensive computer screen use, traveling
Education requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Logistics (required)
• Postgraduate degree in Engineering or Logistics or MBA (preferred)
Language: Excellent knowledge of written, read, and spoken English (required), Arabic (desirable)
Background and experience:
• 12 + years of relevant experience
• Experience in the Oil & Gas or Chemical industry, with at least
5 years in Downstream
• 2+ years in management, leadership role at manager level or
equivalent position
• Prior experience in conducting benchmarking studies,
analysing data, and providing recommendations is highly
valuable. It demonstrates practical knowledge of benchmarking
processes and methodologies.
• Working experience in various benchmarking methodologies
and approaches such as internal benchmarking, competitive
benchmarking, and best-in-class benchmarking.
• Experience in stakeholder management and presentations to
Executive Leadership.
• Industry and Market Knowledge: A benchmarking advisor
should possess a solid understanding of the industry or market
in which the organization operates. This includes knowledge of
industry trends, best practices, key performance indicators,
and emerging benchmarks.
• Experience aligning benchmarking initiatives with the
organization's strategic goals and identify areas where
benchmarking can drive performance improvement and
competitive advantage.
Competencies and skills
Soft:
• Able to build relationships within department staff and
contractors with a focus on collaboration.
• Must have excellent organizational skills
• Requires excellent communication skills, both verbal and
written.
• Strong leadership skills as well as the ability to communicate
across all levels.
• Result oriented
• Planning & scheduling
• Strategic Thinking
• Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Strong research and data analysis skills with proficiency in using
analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights
from data sets.
Technical:
• Proficient in MS Office, especially in Excel, Power Point & Word.
• Strong in system thinking and analytics of data
• Commercial contracts for outsourcing and coordination
‘Knowledge of Benchmarking Methodologies
• Project Management Abilities
