Commercial Manager, Africa

Aesen Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Aesen Group, based in Dubai, seeks a senior Commercial & Chartering Executive to lead Africa-focused activities in the marine/offshore shipping sector.

You will develop chartering strategies, negotiate voyage and time-charter contracts, expand the African market, and supervise the commercial team while coordinating with Finance, Operations and Legal.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• 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 risk appetite.
• 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 and geopolitical developments.
• Identify emerging opportunities and potential market risks.
• Develop new customer relationships and expand the company's commercial portfolio.
• Prepare commercial proposals, tenders and business cases as required.
• Ensure chartering decisions support revenue, profitability and margin targets.
• Analyze voyage economics, freight profitability and related 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 objectives, KPIs and performance expectations.
• Promote compliance with company policies and governance requirements.

Skills

Chartering negotiations

Market development

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Contract knowledge

Financial acumen

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Maritime Studies, Shipping, Business, Finance, Economics or related field

Job description

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.

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.