Robert Kopić

Advising on European petrochemicals and refining markets with an emphasis on ethylene and propylene marketing, pricing and logistics

Consultant at Kopic Consulting (2025-04 – Present)

Advising on European petrochemicals and refining markets with an emphasis on ethylene and propylene marketing, pricing and logistics

European Sales & Supply Manager Olefins at OMV (2017-10 – 2024-04)

Responsible for sales and supply of ethylene and propylene in OMV Group

• Management of established olefin business including contract negotiations, business development and margin management
• Mid- and long-term strategic business planning
• Maintaining solid business relationships within the European and CIS Hydrocarbons industry
• Communicating with and coordination of external and internal senior level management
• Responsible commercial team member for Cracker Expansion Project
• Leadership and expert contribution in operational product development projects

Acting Vice President of Petrochemical & Special Product Sales at OMV (2020-05 – 2021-02)

Responsible for sales and supply of petrochemicals and special products in OMV Group

• Personnel responsibility for 8 staff members
• Definition of petrochemical and special products sales and supply business strategy, implementation of innovative and flexible pathways to grow sales and margins and to maximize refinery utilization
• Group wide management of largest key accounts (e.g. Borealis, Wacker, etc.) including planning and logistics
• Full accountability for budget and cost center
• Internal and external communication with SVP and board level
• Additional responsibilities as outlined for Global Sales & Supply Manager Olefins

Area Manager Central & Eastern Europe at Baker Hughes (2011-11 – 2017-09)

Responsible for sales of technical/specialty chemicals and service for petrochemical plants and refineries in Central & Eastern Europe

• Personnel responsibility for 8 staff members (sales managers located in their home countries)
• Communicating with and coordination of external and internal senior level management, presentation of products at major international conferences (incl. Russian Refining Technology Conference, Moscow, in Russian language)
• Maintaining solid business relationships within the local Hydrocarbons industry
• Negotiation of contractual agreements
• Track record of successful sales due to a diagnostic sales approach, implementing strategic sales plan to capture new business (new customers OMV, INA, INEOS, MERO, NIS GazpromNeft, Bashneft, Rosneft, etc.)

Business Unit Manager South East Europe at IMCD (2010-01 – 2010-08)

Responsible for distribution of chemicals to the coatings and plastics industry

• Personnel responsibility for 5 staff members (sales managers located in their home countries)

Managing Director Austria and Switzerland at General Electric (2008-09 – 2009-09)

Responsible for sales of technical/specialty chemicals and equipment for industrial and municipal water treatment

• Personnel responsibility for 13 staff members
• Total rebuilding of the organization in Austria and Switzerland after a rapid business decline (office and warehouse relocations, change of product portfolio, change of sales people, closing production, SAP introduction, etc.)
• Winning significant new business to support new structure (metals industry in Austria and municipal water treatments in Switzerland)
• Closing down the recently installed structure after worldwide strategy change

District Account Manager Central & Eastern Europe at Nalco (2004-11 – 2008-08)

Responsible for sales of technical/specialty chemicals and service for petrochemical plants and refineries in Central & Eastern Europe

• Personnel responsibility for 5 staff members

Applications Engineer at Gabriel-Chemie (2003-08 – 2004-04)

Responsible for worldwide technical service of color and additive masterbatches, used in polymer industry

Technical Sales Representative Austria and Hungary at Nalco/Exxon Energy Chemicals (1999-04 – 2000-12)

Responsible for service for petrochemical plants and refineries

Dr.phil. in History – University of Vienna, Austria (2003 – 2004)

Mag.phil. in History – University of Vienna, Austria (2000 – 2003)

Dipl.-Ing. in Organic Chemistry and Technology – University of Technology Vienna, Austria (1994 – 2008)

Ing. in Chemical Industry – Technical College for Chemical Industry, Vienna 17, Austria (1989 – 1994)