A Fortune 100 U.S. airline with one of the world's most comprehensive route networks procures billions of dollars of jet fuel each month across a complex network of airports, suppliers, and logistics providers. Following the implementation of a new ETRM platform, the airline sought to improve the processes supporting jet fuel supply, logistics, and invoice reconciliation, with a specific focus on the month-end fuel accounting close. They faced challenges common after a large ETRM implementation, including a lengthy and labor-intensive close, time-consuming manual reconciliations and data checks, inconsistent closing procedures across teams, and system performance issues during critical closing steps. Opportune was uniquely qualified to help, bringing a U.S.-based team with decades of ETRM fuel supply experience and the proven ability to bridge strategy, process, and system execution across the front, middle, and back office.
Opportune quickly deployed its U.S.-based, value-focused team to conduct a targeted two week process improvement assessment, engaging key stakeholders across the front, middle, and back office. Given the compressed timeline, the team focused on rapidly identifying the key risks and inefficiencies impacting the month-end close and prioritizing solutions that could deliver immediate value. Key activities included onsite stakeholder interviews and walkthroughs of the current-state close process, a review of system configuration, and closing task performance across the snapshot, valuation, and reconciliation steps. This team provided an analysis of close timing from a recent month-end close pinpointing the most time-consuming steps, and the identification of upstream data quality issues contributing to problems found during close. The engagement culminated in an executive-level readout outlining immediate improvements alongside a phased roadmap of longer-term processes and system recommendations.
When you choose Opportune, you gain access to seasoned professionals who not only listen to your needs, but who will work hand in hand with you to achieve established goals. With a sense of urgency and a can-do mindset, we focus on taking the steps necessary to create a higher impact and achieve maximum results for your organization.
