Operations Manager – Shipping Agency

Alliance Recruitment Agency; Sharjah; On-site; AED 350,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliance Recruitment Agency seeks a senior marine operations leader to oversee vessel scheduling, port operations, and cargo handling in the UAE. The role requires extensive experience in ship agency operations, clear communication, and hands-on leadership across diverse stakeholders.

You will manage vessel turnaround, liaise with port authorities, and guide teams through disruptions while ensuring strict adherence to regulations and industry standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a marine operations field is required; Master’s preferred.
• Proven leadership and 5+ years in marine/shipping ops management.
• Strong knowledge of vessel turnaround, port authorities, and cargo ops.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of marine operations, including vessel scheduling and port operations.
• Ensure compliance with maritime laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Lead team in responding to shipowners' service enquiries with timely communication and delivery.
• Liaise with port authorities, shipping companies, customs, and stakeholders for seamless execution.
• Prepare and monitor disbursement accounts and operational reports.

Skills

Leadership & team mgmt

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Maritime operations software

MS Office & reporting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marine Operations/Maritime Management or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Maritime ops software

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of marine operations, includingvessel scheduling, port operations, andcargo handling.
• Ensure strict compliance withmaritime laws, regulations, andindustry standards.
• Lead the team in responding toinbound service enquiriesfrom shipowners/charterers, ensuringtimely communicationand service delivery.
• Managevessel scheduling, ensuring efficient turnaround and smooth port operations.
• Liaise withport authorities, shipping companies, customs, and other key stakeholders for seamless execution of ship agency tasks.
• Prepare and monitordisbursement accounts (D/As)and operational reports for internal management.
• Coordinate withvendors and service providers, negotiating and managing terms.
• Stay abreast ofport authority regulationsand ensure internal compliance.
• Handleoperational disruptions or emergenciesswiftly and professionally.
• Analyze marine operational performance and implement strategic improvements.
• Maintain comprehensive records of all operations and performance data.

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor’s degreein Marine Operations, Maritime Management, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 10 years of experiencein marine/shipping operations with at least 5 years in amanagerial capacity.
• In-depth knowledge ofship agency operations,customs clearance, andlogistics procedures.
• Proven ability to manage vessel turnaround, liaise with port authorities, and handle cargo operations.
• Strongleadershipandteam managementskills with a collaborative, hands-on approach.
• Excellentcommunication and interpersonalskills, with the ability to work acrossdiverse nationalitiesandstakeholder groups.
• Stronganalytical,problem-solving, anddecision-makingcapabilities.
• Ability tomultitask, work under pressure, and handlehigh-priority operational issues.
• Proficiency inmarine operations software, MS Office, and reporting tools.
• Certifications frommaritime professional bodiesorport authoritiesare an added advantage.