Commercial Manager, Africa

<h3>Key Responsibilities</h3><h2>Mandatory Experience Required:</h2><ul>
<li>Proven experience in the<strong>marine/offshore shipping industry</strong>, with hands-on commercial and chartering exposure in Africa across different vessel types, including<strong>crew boats, DP vessels, barges and other offshore support vessels</strong>.</li>
<li>Strong track record in<strong>developing and expanding the African market</strong>, including customer acquisition, business development, chartering and commercial negotiations.</li>
<li>Established network of<strong>charterers, shipowners, brokers, offshore operators and other key industry stakeholders</strong>.</li>
<li>The position will be based in Dubai focusing on Africa market.</li>
</ul><h2>Commercial &amp; Chartering, Africa</h2><ul>
<li>Develop and execute chartering strategies aligned with business and financial objectives.</li>
<li>Identify and evaluate market opportunities, cargo requirements, vessel positions and potential fixtures.</li>
<li>Lead negotiations for voyage, time-charter and other relevant chartering contracts.</li>
<li>Maximize vessel utilization, freight earnings and overall commercial returns.</li>
<li>Review and approve commercial terms, ensuring alignment with company risk appetite and delegation of authority.</li>
<li>Monitor fixture performance, freight rates, market trends and competitor activity.</li>
<li>Develop and maintain a strong network of charterers, shipowners, brokers and industry stakeholders.</li>
</ul><h2>Market Intelligence, Africa</h2><ul>
<li>Monitor global and regional shipping markets, freight rates, supply/demand trends and relevant geopolitical and economic developments.</li>
<li>Provide regular market intelligence and recommendations to senior management.</li>
<li>Identify emerging commercial opportunities and potential market risks.</li>
</ul><h2>Business Development, Africa</h2><ul>
<li>Develop new customer relationships and expand the company's commercial portfolio.</li>
<li>Maintain strong relationships with existing key customers and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.</li>
<li>Support development of new trade routes, cargo segments and commercial opportunities.</li>
<li>Prepare commercial proposals, tenders and business cases where required.</li>
</ul><h2>Financial &amp; Risk Management</h2><ul>
<li>Ensure chartering decisions support revenue, profitability and margin targets.</li>
<li>Analyze voyage economics, freight profitability, demurrage/despatch and associated commercial costs.</li>
<li>Identify and mitigate contractual, credit and market risks.</li>
<li>Work closely with Finance, Operations, Legal and Technical teams to ensure successful execution of fixtures.</li>
</ul><h2>Leadership</h2><ul>
<li>Lead, coach and develop the commercial chartering team.</li>
<li>Establish clear objectives, KPIs and performance expectations.</li>
<li>Review team performance and provide guidance on complex commercial negotiations.</li>
<li>Promote compliance with company policies, procedures and governance requirements.</li>
</ul><h2>Requirements</h2><h3>Key Competencies</h3><ul>
<li>Strong chartering and commercial negotiation skills in Africa market.</li>
<li>Excellent knowledge of dry bulk/shipping markets</li>
<li>Strong commercial and financial acumen</li>
<li>Market analysis and business development capability</li>
<li>Contractual and risk-management knowledge</li>
<li>Strong stakeholder and relationship-management skills</li>
<li>Leadership and people-management capability</li>
<li>Strong communication, negotiation and decision-making skills</li>
<li>Ability to work effectively under pressure and make commercially sound decisions</li>
</ul><h3>Qualifications &amp; Experience</h3><ul>
<li>Bachelor's degree in<strong>Maritime Studies, Shipping, Business, Finance, Economics</strong>or a related discipline.</li>
<li>Typically<strong>10–15+ years of relevant experience</strong>in shipping, chartering or commercial operations, with significant experience in chartering.</li>
<li>Proven track record in negotiating and executing chartering contracts and generating profitable fixtures.</li>
<li>Strong established network within the shipping/chartering industry.</li>
<li>Experience managing a commercial team is preferred.</li>
<li>Strong knowledge of relevant charter-party terms, shipping regulations and commercial practices.</li>
</ul>