Director of Energy

R10100906 Director of Energy (Open)

Location:

Houston, TX (HO) - Cust. installations

How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW?

At Airgas, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.

Airgas is Hiring a Director of Energy in Houston, TX or Cleveland, OH!

GENERAL SUMMARY: 

The Director of Energy provides overall energy management direction and support for the Airgas Merchant Gases (AMG) business at both the strategic and tactical level.  Accountable for the execution & delivery of the Energy Sourcing and related decarbonization strategy, managing energy risk and performance, managing energy contracts and all energy transactions and cost optimization opportunities.

Location: Based in Houston, TX or Cleveland, OH on a hybrid schedule (3 days in-office).
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Energy Strategy

  • Responsible for developing the AMG Energy Strategy with the overall objective to minimize cost while balancing and managing risk.  Key elements of the strategy include: Electricity procurement in regulated and deregulated markets, Carbon reduction roadmap leveraging no/low carbon energy sources including Renewables, Nuclear, and related environmental market products. and risk management including the use of energy derivatives.

  • Implement maximum potential participation in load control and other “demand response” opportunities. 

  • Always make decisions based on a Cross Business Line approach to optimize  the energy needs considering a “big picture” Air Liquide perspective
     

• Energy Management

  • Create and maintain plant energy cost models that reflect energy, capacity, transmission, ancillary, margin and other cost incurred to serve Airgas facilities

  • Follow on weekly basis the evolution of local energy markets and regulations, and systematically close the loop with Business stakeholders including Business Development, Sales, Product Management, Supply Chain and Plant Operations

  • Accountable for ensuring continuity of supply and access to competitive commodity sources, and fulfilling AMG’s energy transition ambitions through securing renewable energy sources.
     

• Risk Management 

  • Always ensure risk monitoring and risk management processes are activated and updated for all transactions

  • Monitor individual plant operations and poses understanding of operational characteristics and energy consumption patterns to establish and track energy use efficiency targets, performance targets for energy reduction to offset capacity, transmission and other fixed cost energy charges based on time sensitive use.
     

• Cost Control 

  • Maintain and improve systems to develop and track energy cost information and facilitate reporting to operations, finance and management. Negotiate competitive favorable terms to energy purchase contracts

  • For regulated markets, develop an analysis of utility cost allocation and rate design to enable effective participation in both group and individual efforts to achieve fair rate design for Airgas facilities.

  • Understands, monitors issues that impact Airgas cost at the ISO level and alternative approaches to mitigate cost increase for Airgas and others.
     

• Collaboration

  • Close-the-loop with relevant stakeholders and ensure a regular integration of lessons learnt / best practices in the Energy Management Workflows

  • Create an effective cooperative relationship with local operating personnel and ensure local teams have a working knowledge of key elements of the energy contracts so that quick and efficient actions can be taken to manage load, respond to Demand Response and Curtailment requirements, etc.

  • Socialize and gain validation for strategy and major decisions from key stakeholders including Airgas and Air Liquide Senior Management as well as relevant internal review boards

We are looking for you!

• Comprehensive Family Benefits: Airgas offers a full benefits package designed to support your whole life, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance.

• Support for Parents: We offer up to 14-week paid child birth benefits to support growing families.

• Future Security: 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match, Tuition Assistance, Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick time.

• Early Access: Your benefits start after just 30 days of employment.

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Are you a MATCH?

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Finance, or Business Administration, or equivalent experience

Required Length & Type of Experience:

• 10+ years of related work experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

• Deep understanding of Electricity Markets in North America including both regulated and deregulated markets

• Deep understanding of the Industrial Gas business and the impact of electricity costs, volatility and stability on the gas and liquid supply chain.

• Analytical and conceptual ability necessary to assimilate internal and external requirements in the context of market and regulatory requirements and take action to create value for Airgas.

• Ability to influence executive management and external parties through effective communication.

• Working knowledge of commercial agreements and customer relations.

• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.

• Excellent understanding of accounting principles and working knowledge of plant operating budget.

• Ability to collect and analyze data to form and support action plans.

• Ability to understand principles of regulatory cost causation, the purpose of rate classes in regulatory proceedings, allocation of cost to rate classes, and rate design principles.

• Ability to blend common sense with technical information / theories to produce sound achievable outcomes.

• Ability to grasp ideas quickly and take advantage of group dynamics to lead others to improvements in approaches to resolve broad regulatory and structural energy issues

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Employee may be required to remain stationary for extended periods of time.

• Employee may occasionally be required to traverse through office and/or manufacturing locations.

• Employee will frequently be required to actively listen and exchange information.

• Employee will be required to observe and assess information received via computer.

• Requires use of computer, telephone and operation of a motor vehicle.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The characteristics listed below are representative of the work environment typically encountered by an individual while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
 

• Moderate travel.

• Moderate overnight travel.

• Must have reliable, appropriate transportation.

• Job requires visitation to various Airgas and customer sites, which have varying environments/conditions, layouts, and accessibility.

NOTE:  The above stated duties are intended to outline those functions typically performed by individuals assigned to this classification.  This description of duties is not intended to be all-inclusive or to limit the discretionary authority of supervisors to assign other tasks of similar nature or level of responsibility nor does it imply an employment agreement nor does it imply an employment agreement.

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Benefits

We care about and support our Airgas Families. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pre-tax commuter transportation benefit, parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees.

Additionally, we offer our eligible employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.

Associates who are members of collective bargaining units should review their bargaining agreement to determine whether they are eligible for some or all of the benefits described here and to see any special terms or conditions for eligibility.

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Your DIFFERENCES enhance our PERFORMANCE

At Airgas, we are committed to building a workplace that embraces  the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.

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About Airgas 

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions. 

Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, Air Liquide serves more than 4 million customers and patients.

Join us for a stimulating experience: At Airgas, you matter and so does the work you do. As a member of our team, you play an important role in the success of your team, making sure our products are created sustainably and delivered safely and efficiently. In turn, you’ll find a welcoming workplace where you’re valued for who you are and where you can fill your potential while growing a fulfilling career — whatever path you choose.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Information
 

We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.  

Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 

Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at [email protected].

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