Head of Base OIl

NextStepHR is looking for a Head – Base Oil Business for the base oil trading division of an established company in the oil & lubricants sector. The role will own and scale the Base Oil business as an enterprise, with accountability across sourcing, supplier development, sales coordination, pricing strategy, inventory planning and overall business growth.

Work mode:- (hybrid) Field Travel

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Take overall ownership of the Base Oil business and drive its growth strategy, aligned with company objectives.
• Identify new business opportunities and expand market presence across domestic and international markets.
• Monitor market trends, demand, pricing and competitor activities to inform strategic decisions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with domestic and international Base Oil suppliers.
• Lead negotiations on commercial terms, pricing, payment terms and supply agreements.
• Ensure uninterrupted availability of Base Oil products through robust supplier management.
• Manage key customer relationships and drive business development activities.
• Coordinate with the sales team on customer requirements and market expansion.
• Own commercial performance — monitor purchase price, selling price, margins and profitability.
• Drive cost optimisation initiatives and improve overall business margins.
• Plan inventory levels in line with business demand and coordinate with Import, Logistics, Finance and Warehouse teams.
• Lead, mentor and guide the Base Oil business team; set targets and review performance.
• Prepare business reports, MIS and updates for the Director.
• Travel extensively for supplier and customer meetings, market visits and business development — this is a field-based role requiring 12–15 days of travel per month, along with reporting to the Punjab office 1–2 times a month.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• 15+ years of experience in Base Oil / Lubricants / Petrochemical Trading.
• Strong understanding of the Base Oil and lubricants ecosystem, including suppliers, customers, pricing dynamics and market trends.
• Proven experience in sourcing, supplier negotiation, sales coordination and commercial management.
• Strong commercial acumen with hands-on experience managing margins, pricing strategy and profitability.
• Experience leading and developing a business team.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and an established supplier/customer network in the Base Oil industry.
• Understanding of inventory planning, supply chain coordination and MIS reporting.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively for business — 12–15 days a month in the field, with periodic visits to the Punjab office.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

• The ideal candidate would come from a Base Oil trading company, lubricants manufacturer, petrochemical trading firm or a related B2B commodity trading business.
• The benchmark profile demonstrates strong supplier relationships, customer network, commercial negotiation skills and P&L ownership within the Base Oil / lubricants space.

WHY THIS OPPORTUNITY

• Lead and scale a high-impact Base Oil business vertical.
• Own strategy, sourcing, sales and execution end-to-end.
• Build a long-term, growth-oriented trading business rather than manage a single function.
• Work directly with the Director, with full visibility into business decisions.