Oil Marine Operator

Richard James Recruitment Specialists Ltd; Slough; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Richard James Recruitment Specialists Ltd is seeking an Operator/Senior Operator to coordinate and execute day‑to‑day marine operations for crude oil cargoes, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost‑effective movements between suppliers and customers within the company's refining system.

You will work closely with trading, inspectors, and agents to maintain continuity of supply, analyse logistics for efficiencies, and optimise vessel economics while upholding HSSE standards in a fast‑paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 2–5 years of experience in crude oil operations, tanker scheduling, supply and trading operations, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and manage movements of oil cargoes with third‑party suppliers and customers, including voyages with multiple loading locations and discharge terminals.
• Coordinate vessel nominations, loading and discharge operations, and all related logistics with suppliers, terminals, vessel operators, inspectors, and port agents.
• Enter and maintain accurate operational and commercial data in company systems.
• Maintain cargo tracking, voyage monitoring, inventory, and scheduling systems to ensure supply‑chain visibility.
• Support procurement and refinery feedstock/product requirements with cross‑functional teams.
• Analyse logistics activities to identify efficiencies, cost savings, and optimization opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with external counterparties including suppliers, vessel owners, brokers, terminals, and service providers.
• Monitor voyage progress and manage delays, weather disruptions, berth availability, and schedule changes.
• Seek opportunities to minimise demurrage, detention, dead freight, and other costs.

Skills

Crude oil operations

Tanker scheduling

Supply & trading operations

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office

Marine/trading systems

Job description

Our client is a well-established international energy company with significant physical exposure across crude oil and refined products, operating critical infrastructure across the UK and Europe.

We are looking for a motivated, detail-oriented individual to join our trading operations team. As an Operator / Senior Operator, you will play a key role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective movement of oil cargoes between third-party suppliers and customers and the company’s refining system, while upping our uncompromising safety and environmental standards.

In this role, you will coordinate and execute the day-to-day marine operations and scheduling of oil cargoes with the wider supply chain. Working closely with trading, inspectors, and agents, you will help ensure continuity of supply while protecting commercial interests and operational reliability.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Schedule and manage movements of oil cargoes purchased and sold with third-party suppliers and customers, including voyages involving multiple loading locations, discharge terminals, and delivery options.
• Coordinate vessel nominations, loading and discharge operations, and all associated logistics with suppliers, terminals, vessel operators, inspectors, and port agents.
• Enter and maintain accurate operational and commercial data within company systems and collaborate with internal departments as required.
• Maintain cargo tracking, voyage monitoring, inventory, and scheduling systems to ensure visibility across the supply chain.
• Work closely with Trading, Supply, Refinery Planning, and Commercial teams to support procurement and refinery feedstock/product requirements.
• Analyse logistics activities and marine operations to identify efficiencies, cost savings, and opportunities to optimise vessel and supply chain performance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external counterparties, including suppliers, vessel owners, brokers, terminals, and service providers.
• Monitor voyage progress and proactively manage operational challenges, delays, weather disruptions, berth availability, and schedule changes.
• Continuously seek opportunities to optimise voyage economics, minimise demurrage, detention, dead freight, and other cargo and vessel-related costs.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, contractual obligations, industry regulations, and HSSE standards throughout all marine operations.

CANDIDATE PROFILE:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline preferred.
• Minimum 2-5 years of experience in crude oil operations, tanker scheduling, supply and trading operations, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of crude oil supply chains, tanker operations, marine logistics, and refinery supply requirements.
• Knowledge of charter party terms, marine contracts, demurrage exposure, and voyage economics.
• Strong technical, organisational, and multitasking skills with the ability to manage multiple cargo movements simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively across commercial and operational teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including logistical optimisation and cost analysis.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and relevant marine, trading, or logistics systems.
• Ability to work independently, make sound operational decisions, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong negotiation and commercial awareness skills
• Possesses complex thinking – not solely driven by volumes but also understands pricing and economics. Able to respond to multifaceted logistical variables and understand direct and indirect impact of decisions. Capable of creating well thought out workable solutions.
• Capable to multitask and be highly organised – facilitates analysis and resolution of multiple problems with critical timelines and multiple teams. Required to handle multiple, complex and challenging operational issues.
• Able to handle complex situations
• Flexible attitude towards working hours according to business needs (24 hour availability)