Senior Opex Analyst

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement; Ernakulam; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-the-job training

Career progression

Diverse team

Technology-driven environment

Job summary

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) is seeking a Senior Opex Analyst to manage and optimise operational expenditure across vessels and projects, ensuring cost-effective delivery of ship management services and compliance.

You will collaborate with commercial, technical and finance teams to develop budgets, monitor spend, generate reports, and drive cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining high standards of accuracy and integrity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Maritime Studies or related discipline.
• Minimum 5+ years’ experience in OPEX analysis or related area within ship management, shipping or maritime services.
• Proven experience with budgets, forecasting, variance analysis and management reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and report OPEX budgets and forecasts for assigned fleets or contracts.
• Monitor actual spend against budget, analyse variances, identify trends and drivers.
• Prepare monthly and ad-hoc financial reports, dashboards and management information for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Technical Superintendents, Fleet Operations and Procurement to validate invoices and ensure accurate cost allocation.
• Support contract and tender cost modelling, scenario analysis and post-award cost control activities.
• Identify and lead initiatives to reduce OPEX through process improvements and vendor negotiations.
• Maintain accurate transactional records and ensure compliance with internal controls and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in vessel visits, audits and meetings to validate expenditure and drive resolution.
• Coach and support operational colleagues on budget ownership and financial literacy.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Management reporting

Excel

ERP systems

Fleet management

Maritime finance

Stakeholder communication

Cross-functional teams

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Business/Maritime Studies

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

As a Senior Opex Analyst at BSM, you will be responsible for managing and optimising operational expenditure (OPEX) across assigned vessels and projects, ensuring cost-effective delivery of ship management services while maintaining compliance and operational performance. The role acts as a key connector between commercial, technical and finance teams, delivering timely analysis, reporting, and recommendations to support budgetary control and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and report OPEX budgets and forecasts for assigned fleets or contracts, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and company targets
• Monitor actual spend against budget, analyse variances, identify trends and drivers, and recommend corrective actions to optimise cost efficiency
• Prepare monthly and ad-hoc financial reports, dashboards and management information for technical, commercial and executive stakeholders
• Collaborate with Technical Superintendents, Fleet Operations and Procurement to validate invoices, review supplier performance and ensure accurate cost allocation
• Support contract and tender cost modelling, scenario analysis and post-award cost control activities
• Identify and lead initiatives to reduce OPEX through process improvements, vendor negotiations, lifecycle planning and preventive maintenance optimisation
• Maintain accurate transactional records and ensure compliance with internal controls, company policies and regulatory requirements
• Participate in vessel visits, audits and meetings as required to validate expenditure, investigate issues and drive resolution
• Coach and support operational colleagues on budget ownership, spend control and financial literacy

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Maritime Studies or a related discipline, or equivalent professional qualification
• Minimum of 5+ years’ experience in OPEX analysis, finance, controlling, or a related area preferably within ship management, shipping or maritime services
• Practical experience working with budgets, forecasting, variance analysis and management reporting
• Experience of interacting with technical, procurement and commercial teams in a maritime or asset-intensive environment is highly desirable
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with a high level of attention to detail
• Proven ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders
• Proficiency in Excel and financial systems; familiarity with ERP or fleet management systems is an advantage
• Problem-solving mindset, proactive approach and ability to work both independently and within cross-functional teams
• Excellent communication skills in English and solid organisational abilities

Why You Should Join Us!

We offer a supportive, technology-driven environment, competitive compensation and meaningful opportunities for professional development. By joining us, you will benefit from:

• On-the-job training and continuous learning opportunities
• Exposure to the evolving maritime and energy-efficient technologies
• Working within a diverse, collaborative team
• Being part of the wider Schulte group family with opportunities for career progression