Manager Operations - Tanker (Crude & Products)

Lila Global; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Lila Global in Dubai seeks an experienced Voyage Manager to oversee commercial and operational execution of tanker voyages from fixture to completion. You will prepare estimates, plans and budgets, and manage pre- and post-fixture activities while ensuring charter-party compliance and cost discipline.

Responsibilities include monitoring schedules, bunkers and demurrage exposure, coordinating with masters, charterers, brokers and internal teams, and driving voyage profitability.

Qualifications

• 10 years tanker operations experience with crude or product tankers.
• Strong knowledge of tanker charter parties, voyage management and demurrage.
• Experience managing multiple tanker voyages independently.
• Understanding of tank cleaning, gas freeing, cargo prep and tanker safety.
• Experience handling pre-fixture and post-fixture operations.
• Familiarity with class, flag, port-state and regulatory requirements.
• UAE or Middle East shipping experience beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage commercial and operational execution of tanker voyages from fixture through completion.
• Prepare and monitor voyage estimates, plans, budgets and actual performance.
• Oversee pre-fixture and post-fixture operations, including spot and time-charter voyages.
• Ensure compliance with charter-party terms and protect the company’s position.
• Coordinate with Masters, Charterers, Brokers, Agents, Terminals and internal teams.
• Monitor schedules, cargo operations, bunkers, port costs, laytime and demurrage exposure.
• Supervise tank cleaning, gas freeing, cargo prep and grade changes.
• Control voyage costs including bunkers, lubricants and port expenses.
• Support demurrage, cargo, off-hire and other operational claims.
• Coordinate class, flag, inspections and regulatory requirements.
• Identify operational risks and cost-saving opportunities; take corrective action.
• Provide concise operational and commercial reports to senior management.
• Drive continuous improvement in vessel efficiency and profitability.

Skills

Voyage management

Cost control

Team leadership

Problem solving

Risk management

Commercial judgment

Under pressure

Education

Degree or diploma in Maritime Studies or Shipping or Nautical Science or Marine Engineering

Job description

• Manage the commercial and operational execution of crude and product tanker voyages from fixture through completion.
• Prepare and monitor voyage estimates, voyage plans, budgets and actual voyage performance.
• Manage both pre-fixture and post-fixture operations, including spot and time-charter voyages.
• Ensure compliance with charter-party terms and protect the Company’s commercial position.
• Coordinate closely with Masters, Charterers, Brokers, Agents, Terminals, Technical Managers and internal departments.

VOYAGE MANAGEMENT

• Monitor vessel schedules, cargo operations, bunker consumption, port costs, laytime and demurrage exposure.
• Supervise tanker-specific activities including tank cleaning, gas freeing, cargo preparation and grade changes.
• Control voyage costs including bunkers, lubricants, port expenses, agency fees and service-provider costs.
• Support demurrage, cargo, off-hire and other operational claims and disputes.
• Coordinate class, flag, inspections, certifications and regulatory requirements where required.
• Identify operational risks, delays and cost-saving opportunities early and take corrective action.

COMPLIANCE & REPORTING

• Ensure compliance with applicable tanker safety, environmental, class, flag and port requirements.

REPORTING & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Provide concise operational and commercial performance reports to senior management.
• Drive continuous improvement in vessel efficiency, cost control and voyage profitability.

CANDIDATE SHALL BRING:

• 10 years of hands‑on tanker operations experience, with strong exposure to crude oil and/or petroleum product tankers.
• Strong knowledge of tanker charter parties, voyage management, bunker planning, port operations, laytime and demurrage.
• Experience managing multiple tanker voyages independently.
• Good understanding of tank cleaning, gas freeing, cargo preparation and tanker safety requirements.
• Experience handling both pre‑fixture and post‑fixture operations.
• Familiarity with class, flag, port‑state and regulatory requirements.
• UAE or Middle East shipping experience would be beneficial.

COMPETENCES SUCCESS PROFILE:

• Strong commercial judgment
• Voyage profitability and cost control
• Charter‑party knowledge
• Problem‑solving and decision‐making
• Claims prevention and risk management
• Ability to work under pressure
• High ownership and accountability
• Team leadership and multicultural coordination

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

• A degree or diploma in Maritime Studies, Shipping, Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, or a related field.
• Seagoing tanker experience as a Master Mariner or Chief Officer would be advantageous, although strong shore‑based tanker operations experience is equally valued.