Commercial Manager Africa

Miclyn Express Offshore; Dubai; On-site; AED 661,000 - 1,102,000; Full time

Job summary

Miclyn Express Offshore is seeking a senior Commercial & Chartering leader based in Dubai to drive Africa-related business development across chartering and commercial operations.

You will develop strategies, negotiate fixtures, and maximize vessel utilization while building a strong network of charterers, shipowners and brokers throughout Africa and adjacent regions.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Maritime Studies, Shipping, Business, Finance, Economics or related discipline.
• Typically 10–15+ years in shipping, chartering or commercial ops, with strong chartering track record.
• Proven ability to negotiate and execute chartering contracts and profitable fixtures.
• Strong network within shipping/chartering industry; leadership experience preferred.
• Solid knowledge of charter-party terms, shipping regs and commercial practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute chartering strategies aligned with business goals.
• Identify market opportunities, vessel positions, and potential fixtures.
• Lead negotiations for voyage, time-charter and related contracts.
• Maximize vessel utilization, freight earnings and commercial returns.
• Review terms ensuring alignment with risk appetite and approvals.
• Monitor market trends, fixture performance and competitor activity.
• Lead, coach and develop commercial chartering team.

Skills

Chartering negotiations

Africa market

Shipping markets

Commercial acumen

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Maritime Studies or related field

Job description

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 companys 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

• Bachelors 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.

Requirements