Head/Manager Tanker Operations

GMS Lila Global is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head Tanker Operations to join our team in Dubai. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the commercial and operational performance of the Company’s tanker fleet. This role requires strong tanker operations experience, excellent commercial awareness, a hands-on approach, and the ability to coordinate effectively with internal teams, vessel staff, owners, charterers, brokers, agents, technical managers, class, flag state, and other key stakeholders. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES This role will be responsible for: CHARTERING, COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT • Handling all commercial and operational aspects of the Company’s trading and demolition tanker fleet. • Preparing, managing, and monitoring voyage cost estimates, voyage planning, and voyage execution. • Creating income budgets for respective vessels and ensuring best efforts are made to achieve or exceed budgeted performance. • Maintaining strong relationships with external stakeholders, including charterers, brokers, agents, suppliers, terminals, and service providers. • Managing pre-fixture and post-fixture operations, including spot fixtures and time charter arrangements. • Ensuring compliance with charter party terms and conditions, including operational, commercial, and legal obligations. • Ensuring smooth coordination between charterers, brokers, agents, masters, technical managers, and internal departments. VOYAGE MANAGEMENT • Supervising tanker vessel gas-freeing and tank-cleaning activities in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner. • Monitoring voyage performance, vessel schedules, laytime, demurrage exposure, and operational risks. • Managing bunkers, lubricants, port agents, and related service providers in a cost-effective manner. • Coordinating vessel repairs, flag state requirements, class surveys, certifications, inspections, and other regulatory matters. • Reviewing and monitoring voyage instructions, notices, claims, and documentation. • Supporting demurrage, claims, and dispute-resolution processes in coordination with the relevant departments. SAFETY • Ensuring vessels operate in compliance with applicable safety, environmental, flag, class, and port regulations. • Developing, maintaining, and complying with crisis management plans and emergency response procedures. TEAM • Leading, coordinating, and supporting a team of professionals involved in tanker operations. REPORTING • Providing regular operational and commercial reports to senior management. • Identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance vessel profitability. CANDIDATE SHALL BRING: • 7- 10 years strong experience in tanker operations at least, preferably including product tankers, chemical tankers, crude tankers, or demolition-related tanker operations. • Familiarity with class, flag state, port state, and regulatory requirements. • Ability to manage multiple vessels and operational priorities under pressure • Good understanding of charter parties, voyage management, bunker planning, port operations, gas-freeing, tank cleaning, and tanker safety requirements. • Experience handling pre-fixture and post-fixture operations. • Prior experience in Dubai, the UAE, or the wider Middle East shipping market would be an advantage. COMPETENCES SUCCESS PROFILE: • Strong commercial judgment • Strong communication & negotiation • Results-driven • Multicultural Team leadership • Problem-solving skills • External stakeholder management • Ability to think quickly and take leadership in difficult situations or under pressure • Working in fast-paced shipping environment Show more Show less

7-10 years strong experience in tanker operations, preferably including product tankers, chemical tankers, crude tankers, or demolition-related tanker operations. Familiarity with class, flag state, port state, and regulatory requirements. Ability to manage multiple vessels and operational priorities under pressure. Good understanding of charter parties, voyage management, bunker planning, port operations, gas-freeing, tank cleaning, and tanker safety requirements. Experience handling pre-fixture and post-fixture operations.