Planning Economist

Louisiana, United States of America

Job Family Group:
Production and Manufacturing Downstream

Worker Type:
Regular

Posting Start Date:
January 9, 2026

Business Unit:
Trading and Supply

Experience Level:
Experienced Professionals

Job Description:

What's the role?

As the Planning Economist at Norco, you are a key member of the Asset Optimization team, working closely with schedulers, traders, and operations. You set economic direction for the site's production plan, ensuring alignment with business objectives and market opportunities.

The success of the new business model between Trading and Products Refining requires the ability to quickly respond to changing market conditions and production capabilities to deliver the most value for Shell. The Planning Economist sets the optimized base plan for the integrated asset.

What you'll be doing

• Evaluate the economic impacts of various production planning scenarios and coordinate the input of fellow economic team members.
• Develop and maintain the production plan to maximize margin as part of the Forecast and Plan Production (FPP) process.
• Lead hydrocarbon planning, including Monthly Operating Plan (MOP) generation and annual business plan development.
• Act as focal point for exposure matter inquiries related to refinery hydrocarbon planning including translating operational variances to exposure impact.
• Support site energy planning and optimization.
• Support project economics, turnaround hydrocarbon planning, and process assurance.
• Identify key focus areas that Economic Model Coordinator (EMC) can improve Linear Program (LP) to improve decision making.

Special Note: Given the close tie to the US financial markets, Trading and Supply employees follow a 5/40 schedule and at the plant 4 days a week. The successful candidate should be based in New Orleans. Relocating can be supported.

What you bring

• The candidate must have legal authorization to work in the US on a full-time basis
• Bachelor's degree required, Technical or Engineering degree preferred
• 8 or more years of experience in refinery economics and business planning
• Strong analytical and modeling skills (LP, scenario analysis)
• Ability to simply communicate complex economic concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Advanced Excel and data visualization skills.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to drive cross-functional alignment.
• Attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Demonstration of an agile, external focus anticipating the impact of changes in the market or asset
• Orientation toward lean ways of working centered on cash generation for the business
• Ownership to drive commercial understanding within the asset to deliver maximum value from it
• A One Team mindset supported by a commitment to travel up to 25% of the time (with higher levels likely in the early days of establishing the new organization)

What we offer

The base salary range for this position is $146,000 - $218,000 per year. Individual pay will be based on various factors such as relevant work experience, education, certifications, skill level, seniority, and internal equity.

For regular full-time or regular part-time employees of the Company (participating companies as listed in the Summary Plan Description), insurance coverage options include medical, dental, vision coverage, life Insurance, Business Travel Accident Insurance, and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs. Employees also participate in a company pension plan and a 401(k) plan. Paid leave includes up to 6 weeks of paid vacation time, up to 11 paid holidays, and parental leave offering 16 weeks of paid leave for birthing parents, and 8 weeks of paid leave for non-birthing parents.

Additionally, employees are eligible for short-term disability leave for up to 26 weeks at 100% or 50% of base pay as well as Long-Term Disability insurance. Shell also offers other compensation such financial reimbursement for adoption, wellness, education, and personal learning expenses, and some roles are eligible for discretionary long-term incentives. For interns, eligible benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, Business Travel Accident Insurance, and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs; participation in a 401(k) plan; and paid leave for up to 11 paid holidays. Additional information on Shell's US benefit programs can be found at https://www.shell.us/careers/about-careers-at-shell/rewards-and-benefits.html.

You bring your skills and experience to Shell and in return you work with talented, committed people on one of the most important challenges facing our planet. You'll have the opportunity to develop the skills you need to grow in an environment where we value honesty, integrity, and respect for one another. You'll be able to balance your priorities as you become the best version of yourself.

• Progress as a person as we work on the energy transition together.
• Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead.
• Work at the forefront of technology, trends, and practices.
• Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise.
• Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself.
• Benefit from flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote/mobile working.
• Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance related salary increase - our pay and benefits packages are considered to be among the best in the world.
• Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents.
• Join an organisation working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world. We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, and life experiences to apply.
• Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and international teams.
• Gain access to a wide range of training and development programmes.

We'd like you to know that Shell has a bold goal: to become one of the world's most diverse and inclusive companies. You can get to know more about how we're working towards that goal, click here.

Shell in The United States

Shell has been in the US for more than 100 years, leading the sector in energy, petrochemicals and refined products. Today, we provide millions of Americans with the energy needed to heat and cool their homes and power the economy.

We operate in all 50 states, from our Deep Water platforms in the Gulf of America to the Pennsylvania Chemicals complex and our miles of pipelines throughout the US.

We reach our customers through our 13,000 branded retail stations, and we are number 1 in gasoline sales. We also own the #1 brand of motor oil in the U.S. - Pennzoil® - made from natural gas.

We are excited to play a key role in the move to net carbon emissions while providing the oil and gas needed by society for many decades to come

DISCLAIMER:
Please note: We occasionally amend or withdraw Shell jobs and reserve the right to do so at any time, including prior to the advertised closing date. Before applying, you are advised to read our data protection policy. This policy describes the processing that may be associated with your personal data and informs you that your personal data may be transferred to Shell/Shell Group companies around the world. The Shell Group and its approved recruitment consultants will never ask you for a fee to process or consider your application for a career with Shell. Anyone who demands such a fee is not an authorised Shell representative and you are strongly advised to refuse any such demand. Shell participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws. Shell is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disability. As a US Federal Contractor, hiring selections are subject to periodic audit review and documentation of your selections should be maintained for a period of three calendar years. It is the policy of Shell in the U.S. ("Shell") to provide equal opportunity to all individuals, employees and all qualified applicants for employment consistent with employment requirements and qualifications. Shell prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, citizenship, genetic information, or other protected status under federal, state or local laws. All employees are expected to support this policy and contribute to an environment of equal opportunity. If you need an accommodation for a disability during the resourcing process, please speak with an HR representative.

Client-provided location(s): Laplace, LA

Job ID: Shell-R192692

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2026-01-09T23:59:35