Commercial Manager, Africa

Key Responsibilities Mandatory Experience Required: - Proven experience in the marine/offshore shipping industry, with hands-on commercial and chartering exposure in Africa across different vessel types, including crew boats, DP vessels, barges and other offshore support vessels. - Strong track record in developing and expanding the African market, including customer acquisition, business development, chartering and commercial negotiations. - Established network of charterers, shipowners, brokers, offshore operators and other key industry stakeholders. - The position will be based in Dubai focusing on Africa market. Commercial & Chartering, Africa - Develop and execute chartering strategies aligned with business and financial objectives. - Identify and evaluate market opportunities, cargo requirements, vessel positions and potential fixtures. - Lead negotiations for voyage, time-charter and other relevant chartering contracts. - Maximize vessel utilization, freight earnings and overall commercial returns. - Review and approve commercial terms, ensuring alignment with company risk appetite and delegation of authority. - Monitor fixture performance, freight rates, market trends and competitor activity. - Develop and maintain a strong network of charterers, shipowners, brokers and industry stakeholders. Market Intelligence, Africa - Monitor global and regional shipping markets, freight rates, supply/demand trends and relevant geopolitical and economic developments. - Provide regular market intelligence and recommendations to senior management. - Identify emerging commercial opportunities and potential market risks. Business Development, Africa - Develop new customer relationships and expand the company's commercial portfolio. - Maintain strong relationships with existing key customers and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction. - Support development of new trade routes, cargo segments and commercial opportunities. - Prepare commercial proposals, tenders and business cases where required. Financial & Risk Management - Ensure chartering decisions support revenue, profitability and margin targets. - Analyze voyage economics, freight profitability, demurrage/despatch and associated commercial costs. - Identify and mitigate contractual, credit and market risks. - Work closely with Finance, Operations, Legal and Technical teams to ensure successful execution of fixtures. Leadership - Lead, coach and develop the commercial chartering team. - Establish clear objectives, KPIs and performance expectations. - Review team performance and provide guidance on complex commercial negotiations. - Promote compliance with company policies, procedures and governance requirements.

Develop and execute chartering strategies aligned with business and financial objectives. Identify and evaluate market opportunities, cargo requirements, vessel positions and potential fixtures. Lead negotiations for voyage, time-charter and other relevant chartering contracts. Maximize vessel utilization, freight earnings and overall commercial returns. Review and approve commercial terms, ensuring alignment with company risk appetite and delegation of authority. Monitor fixture performance, freight rates, market trends and competitor activity. Develop and maintain a strong network of charterers, shipowners, brokers and industry stakeholders. Monitor global and regional shipping markets, freight rates, supply/demand trends and relevant geopolitical and economic developments. Provide regular market intelligence and recommendations to senior management. Identify emerging commercial opportunities and potential market risks. Develop new customer relationships and expand the company's commercial portfolio. Maintain strong relationships with existing key customers and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction. Support development of new trade routes, cargo segments and commercial opportunities. Prepare commercial proposals, tenders and business cases where required. Ensure chartering decisions support revenue, profitability and margin targets. Analyze voyage economics, freight profitability, demurrage/despatch and associated commercial costs. Identify and mitigate contractual, credit and market risks. Work closely with Finance, Operations, Legal and Technical teams to ensure successful execution of fixtures. Lead, coach and develop the commercial chartering team. Establish clear objectives, KPIs and performance expectations. Review team performance and provide guidance on complex commercial negotiations. Promote compliance with company policies, procedures and governance requirements.