Head of Shipping / Head of Shipping

Job Overview

This role is focused on establishing a chartering capability in Geneva to support the increasing commercial activities across East and West Africa. The successful candidate will ensure competitive vessel fixing, disciplined execution, strong internal coordination, and full compliance with operational, sanctions, KYC, and risk requirements. This position will report to the Head of Operations and collaborate closely with the Head of Trading and the trading team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide timely market updates (EAF, WAF, and other relevant markets) throughout the day to optimize commercial activities and manage risks.
• Facilitate timely and cost-effective vessel fixing to satisfy commercial requirements.
• Prepare accurate voyage economics, freight calculations, and shipping cost assumptions.
• Effectively manage relationships with brokers, shipowners, and counterparties while monitoring their performance.
• Document negotiations and fixtures clearly and consistently, adhering to internal standards and policies.
• Proactively coordinate with operations, trading, finance, demurrage, risk, and compliance teams.
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of shipping information into the ETRM system upon execution.
• Define and implement shipping strategies based on market dynamics and the company's commercial needs.

Day-to-Day Communication with Other Departments

• Engage with the commercial team regarding all parameters of the voyage to ensure smooth execution and maximize financial success.
• Coordinate with the operations department to ensure seamless operation of all voyages and time charters.
• Collaborate with the Finance department on managing freight payments.
• Oversee KYC and sanctions requirements, also supporting the Compliance team during complex counterparty onboarding.
• Accurately document all negotiations and contribute necessary inputs for the ETRM system.

Reporting, Procedures, and Standards

• Implement procedures for fixture execution, monitoring vessel performance, and reporting variances.
• Enforce operational procedures to ensure adherence to the highest standards.
• Communicate relevant changes in legislation that may impact shipping activities.
• Assist in preparing weekly shipping and demurrage reports, along with monthly management reports.
• Promote safe, compliant, and responsible shipping practices in all chartering decisions and daily interactions with both internal and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of chartering experience in wet cargo, complemented by previous shipping operations experience.
• Extensive knowledge of wet freight markets, tanker chartering practices, voyage and time charter structures, as well as port and terminal restrictions.
• Strong understanding of bunker and freight cost components and the commercial factors influencing shipping decisions in African markets.
• Proven negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Fluency in both English and French.
• A wide and robust chartering network.
• Proficient in utilizing ETRM and shipping systems to document fixtures, voyage economics, freight exposure, contractual terms, operational updates, and supporting documentation accurately and promptly.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the capacity to coordinate with trading, operations, demurrage, finance, risk, compliance, brokers, shipowners, and counterparties under time pressure.
• Proven ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
• Demonstrated leadership and management capabilities.

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.