Head of Ship Chartering

Marmion Resourcing; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Incentive bonus

Car allowance

Job summary

Marmion Ltd. is seeking a Head of Ship Chartering to lead and develop the short sea dry cargo chartering function focused on Northern European trades. You will leverage your network of shipowners, charterers and brokers to build a profitable desk and establish governance, KPIs and budgets.

You will manage a small team, own the department’s strategy, and coordinate with operations, finance and senior leadership to optimize post-fixture execution and profitability.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in short sea dry cargo chartering.
• Strong knowledge of Northern European dry bulk trades and voyage economics.
• Proven track record of negotiating profitable fixtures.
• Established network of shipowners, charterers and brokers; transferable portfolio is advantageous.
• Experience leading a chartering operation or readiness for leadership.
• Experience in leading, motivating and developing a team.
• Proven ability to manage a profitable departmental P&L.
• IT proficiency with chartering systems and MS Office.
• Maritime/shipping qualification desirable but not essential where equivalent experience can be demonstrated.

Responsibilities

• Design, launch and lead the Chartering Department.
• Develop operational framework, governance, reporting structures, and KPIs.
• Develop budgets, business plans and revenue forecasts; report to senior management.
• Lead the day-to-day chartering desk and set its commercial strategy, priorities and growth plan.
• Recruit, coach and develop a small team with a collaborative culture.
• Source cargoes and negotiate fixtures on advantageous terms.
• Maintain relationships with shipowners, charterers and brokers.
• Monitor markets, vessel availability, cargo flows and relevant developments.
• Prepare voyage estimates, proposals and fixture economics.
• Manage charter-party negotiations and post-fixture execution with other teams.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Negotiation

Communication

Leadership

Networking

Analytical

Flexibility

Education

Maritime/shipping qualification

Tools

Chartering systems

Market data tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our Promise

Thank you for taking an interest in the role advertised. We’d like to confirm that each CV received is read thoroughly by a trained consultant; if your application is shortlisted then you will be contacted via telephone in the first instance.

If we have not contacted you within 5 working days of your application, please understand that the CV received, and the information provided does not meet the requirements of the role.

However, we endeavour to consider all applicants for future opportunities; should you wish to speak to the named consultant about your application, please contact us directly.

Head of Ship Chartering

Role Highlights:

• Location: Remote role, UK based candidates are preferred, Northern European candidates will be considered.


• Compensation: Competitive Salary and Benefits Package (to be discussed during first contact).


• BUPA private healthcare, annual incentive bonus scheme, DCAS car allowance.


• New & exciting role within a privately owned, well-established & growing business.


• Rare opportunity to build & lead a department.


• Highly influential position with professional development & progression.


• Travel: Regular travel throughout the UK and Northern Europe

Role Overview:

The successful candidate will lead and develop the short sea dry cargo chartering function, with a primary focus on Northern European trades. You will leverage your established network of shipowners, charterers and brokers to build a sustainable pipeline of business, secure profitable fixtures and create a high-performing chartering desk over time. This is a highly influential role, combining hands-on broking and commercial delivery with team leadership, business development and full responsibility for the department’s profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

Establish, Launch & Lead the Chartering Department:

• Design, launch and implement the company’s short sea dry cargo chartering strategy, establishing the foundations for a sustainable and profitable business unit.


• Develop the chartering department’s operational framework, including processes, governance, reporting structures, and KPIs.


• Develop departmental budgets, business plans and revenue forecasts, providing regular updates to senior management on performance against strategic objectives.


• Lead the day-to-day chartering desk and set its commercial strategy, priorities and growth plan.


• Recruit, lead, coach and develop a small team, setting clear expectations and fostering a collaborative, accountable culture.

Commercial Growth & Negotiations:

• Source cargoes and suitable tonnage across short sea dry bulk trades in Northern Europe.


• Negotiate and conclude voyage and time charter fixtures on commercially advantageous terms.


• Build and maintain trusted relationships with shipowners, charterers, brokers and other market counterparties.


• Identify new customers, trade lanes and market opportunities, converting them into sustainable and profitable business.


• Represent the business at customer meetings, negotiations and relevant industry events across the UK and Northern Europe.


• Monitor freight markets, vessel availability, cargo flows and relevant commercial developments to support timely decisions.


• Prepare and review voyage estimates, commercial proposals and fixture economics.


• Manage charter-party negotiations and ensure agreed terms protect the company’s commercial interests.


• Work closely with operations, finance and other internal teams to support effective post-fixture execution and issue resolution.

Strategic Management & Commercial Ownership:

• Own the department’s profit and loss performance, budgets, forecasts and management reporting.


• Provide regular updates and recommendations to senior leadership regarding departmental performance and future growth opportunities.


• Maintain high standards of commercial governance, risk management, record keeping and regulatory compliance.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Demonstrable experience in short sea dry cargo chartering is essential, as a chartering broker, owners’ broker, operator or in a comparable commercial shipping role.


• Strong knowledge of Northern European dry bulk trades, market dynamics, charter-party terms and voyage economics.


• Demonstrable track record of negotiating and concluding profitable fixtures.


• Established network of relevant shipowners, charterers and brokers; a transferable portfolio of business would be advantageous.


• Previous experience managing a chartering operation or clear readiness and ambition to step into a leadership role.


• Experience of leading, motivating and developing a team.


• Proven ability to manage a profitable departmental profit and loss account.


• Strong IT proficiency, including confidence with chartering systems, market data tools and Microsoft Office applications.


• A relevant maritime, shipping, business or commercial qualification is desirable but not essential where equivalent experience can be demonstrated.

Skills & Attributes:

• Commercially astute, entrepreneurial and results focused.


• Excellent negotiator with sound judgement and a disciplined approach to risk.


• Confident communicator and relationship builder at all levels.


• Self-starting, resilient and capable of building a department patiently and sustainably.


• Strong networker with the credibility to represent the business externally.


• Organised, analytical and comfortable operating in a fast-moving market.


• Flexible approach to working hours in line with market and customer demands.

Get in touch to find out how our dedicated team can help you find the right business for your career.