Terminal Coordinator

Description

The Terminal Coordinator manages the logistics and inventory for one or more biofuels storage terminals. The core of the role is knowing, at all times, what product is moving into and out of the terminal: how much ethanol is inbound by rail, when it is expected to arrive, and whether the volume on the way is too much, too little, or on track for the terminal’s storage capacity and customer demand.

Ethanol arrives at the terminal by rail, as either single manifest cars or unit trains. It leaves the terminal by truck (about 8,000 gallons per load) or by pipeline connection to another terminal. The Coordinator keeps product moving by working with three groups: the field personnel who physically offload railcars and load trucks, management who need to know shipment timing and how disruptions will be handled, and the customers who need access to their inventory and advance notice when something changes. In this role, “management” means the Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Corporate Operations – EEDS.

When a disruption occurs — a late short train, a railcar problem, a storage constraint, or an equipment issue — the Coordinator identifies it early, communicates it to the right people, and helps decide how to keep product flowing. Over time, the Coordinator is expected to become the subject matter expert for their assigned terminal.

Requirements

Logistics and Inventory

• Track all inbound rail. Know how many railcars are on the way, whether they are single manifest cars or unit trains, and when they are expected to arrive.

• Compare inbound volume against the terminal’s storage capacity and customer demand, and flag early when too much or too little product is coming.

• Confirm nominations against the terminal’s overall volume schedule before product moves.

• Check that inbound product meets the specifications required for the terminal.

• Process shipments and keep terminal inventory accurate and current.

• Account for gain and loss, and resolve volume discrepancies between what was received or shipped and what is in storage.

• Monitor how much of the terminal’s storage volume is in use.

• Identify disruptions early — late or short trains, railcar issues, storage constraints, equipment problems — and decide how to keep product flowing, escalating when needed.

Communication

• Notify Field personnel and the Asset Continuity manager of inventory needs and any special release requirements for inbound rail. (Field personnel are staffed and managed by the Asset Continuity Manager, who ensures proper staffing and maintenance of the terminal.)

• Keep management informed of shipment timing and of the plan to handle any disruption.

• Give customers access to their inventory information and advance notice of any disruption that affects them.

• Communicate and problem-solve with customers, transportation providers, and vendors.

• Provide customers with regular reporting of site activity for their planning and invoicing.

• Present operational issues and concerns weekly in a formal report to the Chief Operating Officer and/or Director of Corporate Operations – EEDS.

Skills

• Oral communication

• Written communication

• Computer literacy, specifically MS Excel

• Interpersonal skills

• Customer relations

• Diplomacy

• Professionalism

• Organization

• Planning

• Time management

• Attention to detail

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field.

• 4 years of operations experience.