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.

Requirements

Key Competencies

• Strong chartering and commercial negotiation skills in Africa market.
• Excellent knowledge of dry bulk/shipping markets
• Strong commercial and financial acumen
• Market analysis and business development capability
• Contractual and risk-management knowledge
• Strong stakeholder and relationship-management skills
• Leadership and people-management capability
• Strong communication, negotiation and decision-making skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and make commercially sound decisions

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Maritime Studies, Shipping, Business, Finance, Economics or a related discipline.
• Typically 10–15+ years of relevant experience in shipping, chartering or commercial operations, with significant experience in chartering.
• Proven track record in negotiating and executing chartering contracts and generating profitable fixtures.
• Strong established network within the shipping/chartering industry.
• Experience managing a commercial team is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of relevant charter-party terms, shipping regulations and commercial practices.