Head of Shipping

This role will be responsible for building a Geneva-based chartering capability tu support growing commercial activity across East and West Africa, ensuring 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 work closely with the Head of Trading and the traders.

Key responsibilities

Provide timely market updates (EAF, WAF & other relevant markets) throughout the day for commercial optimization and risk management purposes

Deliver timely and cost-effective vessel fixing to support commercial requirements

Prepare accurate voyage economics, freight calculations and shipping cost assumptions

Manage broker pol, shipowner and counterparty relationships effectively and monitor performance

Document negotiations and fixtures clearly, consistently, and in line with internal standards/policies

Coordinate proactively with operations, trading, finance, demurrage, risk and compliance teams

Ensure accurate and timely (on execution) entry of shipping information into the ETRM system

Define and execute shipping strategies, based on market dynamics and the company's commercial requirements

Day-to-day communication with other departments

Communicate with the commercial team on all parameters of the voyage to ensure smooth execution, maximizing financial success

Communicate with the operations department to ensure a smooth operation of all voyages / TCs

Manage freight payments in conjunction with the Finance department

Manage KYC and sanctions requirements and support the Compliance team in complex counterparty onboarding

Document correctly all negotiations and provide the necessary inputs for the ETRM

Reporting, Procedures and Standards

Implement procedures for executing fixtures, monitoring and reporting on vessel performance, and communicating underlying variances.

Enforce operating procedures to comply with the highest standards.

Understand and communicate relevant information on changing legislation directly affecting the shipping activities.

Assist with preparation of weekly shipping and demurrage reporting and monthly management reporting

Promote safe, compliant and responsible shipping practices in all chartering decisions and day-to-day interactions with internal and external stakeholders.

Required qualifications

Minimum 10 years of chartering experience in wet cargo, combined with previous shipping operations experience

Strong knowledge of wet freight markets, tanker chartering practices, voyage and TC structures, port and terminal restrictions, bunker and freight cost components, and the commercial drivers affecting shipping decisions in African markets

Demonstrated negotiation, communication and relationship building skills

Fluent in English and French

Wide and strong chartering network

Comfortable using ETRM or shipping systems to record fixtures, voyage economics, freight exposure, contractual terms, operational updates and supporting documentation accurately and on time

Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to coordinate daily with trading, operations, demurrage, finance, risk, compliance, brokers, shipowners and counterparties under time pressure

Proven adaptability to changing market conditions

Leadership and management capabilities