Manager, Freight & Shipping Strategy

confidential; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics provider in the UAE is seeking a Manager for Freight & Shipping Strategy. This senior role involves developing a comprehensive freight strategy tailored for bulk products. Responsibilities include day-to-day execution of freight arrangements, negotiation of charter agreements, and analysis of shipping economics. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years’ experience in dry bulk shipping and excellent negotiation skills. A commitment to operational excellence and a willingness to travel are essential.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in dry bulk shipping with a strong focus on chartering.
• Proven exposure to Supramax/Ultramax vessel classes.
• Ability to work independently as a 'one-person shipping department'.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute the freight strategy for bulk and related products.
• Negotiate and fix voyage charters for specific shipments.
• Monitor freight markets and produce concise market intelligence.

Skills

Commercial instincts and negotiation skills

Analytical and modelling skills (Excel)

Understanding of laytime and demurrage calculations

Strong communication skills in English

Job description

Manager, Freight & Shipping Strategy

Location: Dubai, Beirut, or Doha– with regular travel to key load/discharge ports

Role Purpose

The Manager, Freight & Shipping Strategy will be the Group’s lead expert on bulk freight and shipping. He/she will design and execute the freight strategy for all bulk and related products and will develop a roadmap for potential vessel ownership or long-term time-charter tonnage.

This is a senior, hands‑on, individual contributor role that combines:

• Strategic design of the Group’s freight and shipping platform; and
• Day‑to‑day execution of freight arrangements and support to commercial teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. 1. Freight Strategy & Planning

   • Develop a comprehensive freight strategy for all bulk and related commodity flows, including:
     • Optimal vessel size selection (Supramax/Ultramax and others where relevant).
     • Preferred routes and ports, including loading and discharge terminals.
     • The optimal mix of COAs, time charters, and spot voyages.
   • Build freight cost models for existing and planned trade flows, including:
     • Cost per ton by route and vessel type.
     • Sensitivity analyses to bunker price changes, port costs, and voyage durations.
   • Prepare clear recommendation papers for senior management/Board on:
     • “Own vs charter” strategies.
     • Number, type, and age profile of vessels if ownership is pursued.
     • Structuring options (ownership, bareboat, long-term charter, or hybrids).

2. 2. Day-to-Day Freight Design & Execution

   • Translate sales, offtake and supply contracts into concrete shipping plans and schedules.
   • Work closely with commercial, mining/production, and logistics teams to ensure that vessel planning is fully aligned with:
     • Production schedules.
     • Port capabilities and constraints.
     • Buyer delivery windows.
   • Negotiate and fix:
     • Voyage charters for specific shipments.
     • COAs for medium- to long-term volume commitments.
     • Time charters for strategic tonnage cover where appropriate.
   • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with:
     • Leading shipbrokers and shipowners.
     • Port agents, surveyors and port captains.
   • Ensure that each shipment is structured to:
     • Achieve competitive freight costs.
     • Minimise demurrage and operational risk.
     • Protect the Group’s commercial and legal position.

3. 3. Shipping Economics, Benchmarking & Reporting

   • Build and maintain voyage economics and freight benchmarking tools and dashboards.
   • Track and analyse:
     • Actual cost per ton by route, vessel and counterpart.
     • Time charter equivalent (TCE) vs market indices.
     • Demurrage/dispatch performance and major drivers.
   • Monitor freight markets (Baltic indices, regional routes, relevant segments) and produce concise market intelligence for management.
   • Produce monthly and quarterly reports covering:
     • Average freight costs vs internal benchmarks.
     • Realised savings vs alternative chartering strategies.
     • Key incidents, claims, and operational learnings.

4. 4. Vessel Ownership / Long-Term Tonnage Program (if pursued)

   • Lead the design of any ship acquisition, bareboat or long-term time-charter program, including:
     • Definition of fleet size, vessel types and technical specifications.
     • Evaluation of newbuild vs second-hand options.
     • Comparison of ownership vs bareboat vs long-term T/C economics.
   • Coordinate with Group Finance and external advisors to:
     • Analyse bank financing, leasing and JV structures.
     • Evaluate cash flows, payback, IRR and covenant implications.
   • Support the selection and negotiation of:
     • Technical managers and crewing companies.
     • P&I clubs, H&M insurers and other key service providers.
   • From the owner’s side, monitor:
     • Vessel performance (speed, consumption, off-hire).
     • Drydock planning and major capex decisions.
     • Insurance coverage, claims and major incidents (with legal support).

5. 5. Operational Support & Risk Management

   • Provide expert guidance on:
     • Port capabilities and limitations for bulk products (drafts, storage, loading rates).
     • Cargo handling, trimming and stowage plans.
     • Cargo quality, sampling and documentation requirements.
   • Support or supervise:
     • Laytime statements and demurrage/dispatch calculations.
     • Negotiation and settlement of demurrage and performance claims.
   • Ensure that freight and shipping arrangements comply with:
     • Sanctions regimes and export controls.
     • Safety and environmental standards.
     • Internal risk and compliance policies.

6. 6. Platform & Team Building

   • As the freight and shipping function grows, develop:
     • A roadmap for adding operations, analytics and support roles.
     • Job descriptions and role definitions for future team members.
   • Mentor and develop junior staff once hired and help establish:
     • Processes, reporting standards and performance KPIs.
     • A professional shipping culture aligned with Group values.

Skills

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 10–15+ years of experience in dry bulk shipping with a strong focus on chartering and commercial operations.
• Proven exposure to:
  • Supramax/Ultramax or similar vessel classes.
  • Minerals/fertilizers/commodities shipping (e.g. ores, grains, phosphates).
• Experience at one or more of:
  • A reputable shipowner or operating company.
  • A major commodity trading house.
  • A top-tier shipbroking house with direct chartering responsibilities.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial instincts and negotiation skills.
• Deep understanding of:
  • Charterparty forms and clauses.
  • Laytime and demurrage calculations.
  • Voyage economics and TCE calculations.
• Strong analytical and modelling skills (Excel and similar tools).
• Ability to work independently as a “one-person shipping department” initially.
• Comfortable working with lawyers, banks, technical managers, insurers and brokers.
• Excellent communication skills in English; Arabic a big plus but not mandatory.

Personal Attributes

• Entrepreneurial mindset and hands-on approach.
• High degree of integrity and discretion.
• Willingness to travel frequently to ports, counterparties and Group sites.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, multi-jurisdictional environment.