Chartering and Operations Lead (Dry Bulk)

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement freight strategies that optimise transportation costs while supporting commercial trading objectives.
• Provide market intelligence and strategic freight advice to trading teams, including vessel availability, freight pricing, and market trends.
• Manage the chartering of Handysize to Panamax vessels across voyage charters, Contracts of Affreightment (COAs), and period charter arrangements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vessel owners, operators, and brokers while negotiating commercially favourable charter party agreements.
• Oversee all post-fixture activities, ensuring smooth voyage execution, timely issue resolution, claims management, laytime calculations, demurrage, and operational performance.
• Partner with Operations, Finance, Legal, and Trading teams to ensure accurate freight settlements and efficient operational execution.
• Drive the adoption of freight technologies, IMOS, automation, and AI-driven solutions to enhance workflow efficiency, reporting capabilities, and operational controls.
• Provide leadership on maritime claims, arbitration matters, insurance cases, regulatory compliance, and operational risk management.
• Lead and develop the freight team while promoting collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the function.

Requirements

• At least 12 years of experience within dry bulk shipping, with strong exposure to the international grain trade.
• Demonstrated experience managing commercial freight activities across Handysize to Panamax vessel segments.
• Strong background in voyage chartering, period chartering, COAs, and freight procurement.
• In-depth knowledge of charter party negotiations, maritime claims, insurance, arbitration, and grain cargo operations.
• Experience using IMOS or similar freight management systems, with an interest in digital transformation, automation, and AI within shipping operations.
• Strong commercial judgement, leadership capabilities, stakeholder management skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced commodity trading environment.