UK - Senior Agency Operator (Port Agent)

ISS Group Holdings Limited; Dartford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Out-of-hours pay

Car allowance

Career development

Travel opportunities

ICS Shipping qualifications

Job summary

Inchcape Shipping Services in the United Kingdom is seeking a port operations coordinator to provide a 24/7 on-call service for Principals, ensuring safe and smooth vessel turnarounds across Thames, Medway, Sheerness, Dover, Felixstowe and East Anglia.

This permanent role requires working out of hours on a rota and regular travel to regional ports. You will liaise with port authorities and crews, coordinate documentation, PDAs and funding, and deliver timely operational reports to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Strong organisational and time management skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management with vessel Masters and crews.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel and Word).
• Self-motivated, adaptable and customer-focused with a hands-on approach.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate pre-arrival, arrival and departure activities including documentation and berthing arrangements.
• Arrange vessel services such as pilotage, towage, crew changes, surveys, bunkers and waste disposal.
• Board vessels as required to complete formalities and gather operational information.
• Ensure compliance with procedures, customer requirements and regulatory obligations.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office

Self-motivated and adaptable

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Who We Are:

At Inchcape Shipping Services, our vision is to create a connected world where customers can trade successfully and make informed decisions in every port, everywhere. We achieve this by combining our worldwide infrastructure with local expertise, through our global network of more than 250 proprietary offices and a team of over 3,000 dedicated professionals. Our diverse customer base includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container, and bulk commodity sectors, as well as naval, government, and intergovernmental organisations.

Role Summary:

The role holder will be a key member of a team responsible for providing a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on-call service to our Principals to ensure the safe and smooth turnaround of all appointed vessels within the jurisdiction of the port office which includes the Thames, the Medway, Sheerness, Dover, Felixstowe and the East Anglia region.

In addition to a standard working week, you will be required to undertake work out of usual office hours on a rota basis.

There will be regular travel expected to all ports in the region.

Contract: Permanent

Location: UK Thames - Dartford or Sheerness

Salary: Competitive plus inconvenience payment and car allowance

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate vessel port calls, acting as the primary point of contact from nomination to completion.
• Liaise with port authorities, terminals, government agencies, suppliers and vessel crews to ensure smooth vessel operations.
• Coordinate all pre-arrival, arrival and departure activities, including documentation, customs formalities, port services, berth arrangements and husbandry requirements.
• Prepare port disbursement accounts (PDAs), request pre-funding where required and maintain accurate operational and financial records.
• Provide timely updates and real-time operational reports to Principals and stakeholders throughout the port call.
• Arrange vessel services including pilotage, towage, crew changes, surveys, inspections, bunkers, provisions, spares and waste disposal.
• Board vessels as required to complete formalities, meet Masters, exchange documentation and gather operational information.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, customer requirements, KPIs and regulatory obligations.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including interaction with vessel Masters and international crews.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel and Word).
• Self-motivated, adaptable and customer focused, with a hands-on approach and a desire to develop a career in the maritime industry.

You will receive:

• Competitive salary including monthly inconvenience payment for out of hours work
• Company car allowance
• Work with talented, committed, and supportive team mates.
• Value Award celebration events.
• A place to grow your career
• Career development and progression opportunities, including travel to other Inchcape port locations across the UK
• Financial support to complete IC S Shipping qualifications

Why Inchcape Shipping Services?

We believe in building a diverse and high-performing workforce, that works together to provide our customers with the exceptional service they deserve. To reach the highest standards we depend on our people, their welfare, training and expertise. We realise the value of our staff and know that your unique experiences, skills and passions will help you to build a rich and rewarding career in our dynamic industry.

Our values are at the centre of everything we do and the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate and fully adopt these:

• Global Perspective-we connect the world and see the bigger picture.
• The Power of People-we rely on the strength of local agent knowledge and relationships.
• Progress-we adopt new thinking and push for positive change in our industry.

#WeAreInchcape

Additional Information:

To protect the interests of all parties, Inchcape will not accept unsolicited or speculative resumes from recruitment agencies and will not be responsible for any fees associated with them.

#LI-KT1