Ashley Johnson

Ashley Johnson Houston, Texas |-|- | LinkedIn Profile URL SUMMARY Highly accomplished and results-driven professional with 15+ years of progressive experience in global trading, business development, and financial management within the petrochemical (Olefins) industry. Proven ability to create significant market presence, drive profitable commercial sales, and execute complex international projects. Expert in olefins supply/demand dynamics, price mechanisms, and global market trends. Strategic leader adept at fostering key client relationships, cultivating investment opportunities, and optimizing operational efficiencies for medium to large enterprises with global reach. CORE COMPETENCIES ●​ Trading & Business Development: Olefins Trading (C2/C3/C4/C5), Global Market Expansion, Investment Opportunity Cultivation, Strategic Partnerships, Product Development, Commercial Sales, Market Entry Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions I Certification ●​ Financial Management: P&L Oversight, Financial Analysis & Reporting, Internal Controls, Budget Planning, Cost/Cash Flow Analysis, Credit Management ●​ Operations & Logistics: Global Logistics Coordination (Import/Export/Offshore), Supply Chain Optimization, Contract Negotiation, INCOTERMS Expertise, Customs Compliance, Project Management ●​ Leadership & Communication: Cross-Cultural Communication, Keynote Speaking, Stakeholder Engagement, B2B Relationship Management, Team Leadership & Mentorship, Public Speaking, Recruitment, Management Certification from American Management Association ●​ Technical Skills: SAP (Financial Software), Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced Excel, Access, PowerPoint), Financial Modeling PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Mitsui & Co (USA), Inc. | Houston, TX Business Development Manager | April 2023 – October 2024 ●​ Identified and researched new business opportunities, cultivating investment prospects that aligned with company initiatives ●​ Developed and nurtured critical business-to-business relationships, leading to 3 new projects and strategic partnerships. 1 ●​ Delivered high-impact presentations to prospective partners and internal executives, securing buy-in for initiatives and effectively communicating project status, opportunities, and risks. ●​ Coordinated cross-departmental efforts to ensure project completion on time and within budget, realizing significant synergy across company assets and subsidiaries. ●​ Assisted in negotiating terms for Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Letters of Intent (LOIs), and/or Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), accelerating new project Final Investment Decisions (FIDs). ●​ Gathered comprehensive market data to support the development of robust financial models, informing multi-million dollar investment decisions. ●​ Maintained in-depth knowledge of government, industry, and internal regulations to identify funding sources and market entry hurdles, mitigating regulatory risk. ●​ Monitored project progress, proactively identifying potential issues, and implementing timely adjustments to ensure successful outcomes. Inter-rum Controller Group Manager | January 2023 – September 2023 ●​ Provided comprehensive financial updates to general managers by evaluating, analyzing, and reporting key data points, enabling informed operational and strategic decisions. ●​ Developed and enforced stringent internal controls, maximizing protection of company assets and optimizing financial policies, procedures, and workflows, reducing financial risk by 30%. ●​ Managed the collection and consolidation of financial data to develop and support shortand long-term operational strategies, improving forecasting accuracy by 10% ●​ Created strategic plans for financial operations and controller group policies/procedures, enhancing departmental efficiency and compliance. ●​ Led a team of two assistant controllers responsible for accounting closing, internal reporting, subsidiary reporting, credit line management, P&L generation, and budget planning for trading and business development departments. ●​ Managed team performance and accuracy, provided continuous training and support, monitored time, and fostered career development through regular reviews and goal setting. Olefins Marketing Manager | July 2015 – October 2024 ●​ Promoted new business, cultivated robust business relationships, and expanded a global network of contacts within the petrochemical (Olefins) industry (Ethylene, Propylene, Butadiene (BD), Isoprene (IPM), Piperylene (PIPS), and Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)). ●​ Consulted customers and suppliers on complex market trends, price mechanisms, and supply/demand economics, identifying and capitalizing on new investment and trading opportunities that generated $33M in gross profit from-. 2 ●​ Monitored international business projects, identifying potential opportunities and conducting in-depth research on suppliers, manufacturers, and buyers to expand market presence and adapt product offerings for global growth. ●​ Prepared competitive bids and negotiated all facets of purchase and sales contracts, consistently maximizing profit margins through rigorous cost and cash flow analyses. ●​ Managed day-to-day operations, including a unit of a logistics coordinator and an assistant sales manager, authorizing business transactions and providing training and guidance. ●​ Collaborated with Credit Managers to determine appropriate customer credit levels, monitor payment schedules, and prepare comprehensive reports on transaction status, P&L, and annual budgeting, effectively mitigating financial risk. ●​ Recognized as Keynote Speaker for ICIS Butadiene Conference (2018), demonstrating industry thought leadership, as I managed the commercial business for the largest Butadiene Import/Export tank in the world. Marketing Representative | July 2014 – July 2015 ●​ Coordinated complex freight and shipping arrangements for C4/C5 business deals and other traders' transactions, liaising with shipping lines, freight forwarders, and customs brokers. ●​ Monitored exchange statuses, pipeline delivery schedules, and intricate logistics, ensuring timely operations and minimizing disruptions. ●​ Prepared monthly reports on past due payments, market updates, P&L, and operations status, providing critical insights for strategic decision-making. ●​ Participated in negotiating contracts and spot deals with existing Olefins (C4/C5) clients, contributing to business retention and expansion efforts. ●​ Assisted with the preparation of bids and contract negotiations, and supported project-based initiatives as assigned. Sr. Marketing Administrator | April 2010 – July 2014 ●​ Managed comprehensive logistics coordination for import, export, offshore, and domestic chemical business, including vessel/tank nominations, bookings, AES/ISF filings, customs clearance, and inland delivery, leveraging advanced INCOTERMS knowledge. ●​ Streamlined client onboarding by meticulously screening new clients, managing credit line applications, and negotiating credit terms with customers. ●​ Prepared all necessary shipping documents (e.g., BL instructions, commercial/proforma invoices) and adeptly managed vendor charges to optimize cost efficiency. ●​ Interacted directly with customers, ensuring exceptional service and managing expectations to maintain high client satisfaction. ●​ Liaised with sales managers to implement project plans and make modifications to meet time constraints and achieve successful project completion. ●​ Assessed workplace requirements to formulate solutions for supply chain challenges, providing progress updates and market analyses for business projects. 3 ●​ Negotiated pricing with vendors and suppliers, including SSL contracted rates, and mitigated potential losses through effective charge negotiations. ●​ Conducted in-depth market analysis through various industry reports and research to support new product development. Expeditors International | Houston, TX Ocean Export Pricing Analyst | November 2008 – April 2010 ●​ Provided comprehensive pricing, routing, and cost analysis for past, current, and prospective clients across the United States and globally. ●​ Developed, negotiated, and tracked competitive pricing for bids, proposals, RFQs, projects, and contracts within Houston, TX, and diverse international regions, contributing to increased sales and market share. ●​ Determined optimal pricing for FCL, LCL, offshore, break-bulk cargo, foreign-to-foreign, and consignee-routed shipments, maximizing profitability. ●​ Analyzed carrier rates and net profit to recommend strategies for sales growth, consistently delivering cost savings to customers while improving departmental profit margins. ●​ Managed a comprehensive ocean exports pricing data log, serving as a vital guide for agents on competitive rates across frequently used shipping lanes. ●​ Managed and distributed General Rate Increase (GRI) and surcharge information, ensuring pricing transparency and compliance. Ocean Export Agent | April 2006 – November 2008 ●​ Managed the end-to-end freight forwarding process for direct shippers of Rubber and Plastics, including production schedules, booking creation, SAP program management, alerts/updates, and customs clearance. ●​ Oversaw the entire shipping process, ensuring strict adherence to production schedules and service requirements, while managing documentation processing and implementing compliance requirements in daily transactions. ●​ Developed standard operating procedures for booking full container loads on direct accounts, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. ●​ Provided expert guidance on shipping processes and cost savings, increasing team productivity and reducing quote/RFQ/proposal response time by 24-48 hours. ●​ Managed databases, reports, allocations, customer alerts, and spearheaded shipment development for the team. ●​ Contributed to the proposal and creation of a Branch Pricing Department that integrated Air and Ocean Import/Export, Project Cargo, and Domestic Cargo pricing personnel. EDUCATION Baylor University | Waco, TX Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): International Business Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): Economics Graduated: December 2006​ 4