Head of Dry Bulk Operations

COBELFRET; Singapore; On-site; SGD 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Cobelfret is seeking a Head of Operations in Singapore to lead the Operations department and ensure safe, compliant and commercially efficient voyage execution across the fleet. You will combine operational leadership with strategic input to drive performance improvements and deepening capabilities.

In this role you will manage the Singapore team, oversee post‑fixture operations, voyage performance, risk and compliance, and collaborate with commercial and finance to maximize profitability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10–12 years’ experience in dry bulk vessel operations with senior (people) management-level exposure.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to provide direction, collaborate and empower people to develop their skills and ownership.
• Strong knowledge of charter party execution, laytime, bunker planning and voyage optimisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and support the Operations team in Singapore with clear direction, guidance and technical support.
• Train, coach and develop team members to strengthen capabilities and operational awareness.
• Distribute workload effectively across the team for continuity across time zones.
• Foster a professional, performance-driven working environment.
• Lead post-fixture operations for a globally trading dry bulk fleet across multiple time zones.
• Oversee voyage execution from fixture to completion, ensuring efficiency, compliance and cost control.
• Act as a senior escalation point for complex operational matters.
• Support Operators in managing priorities, risks and stakeholder expectations.
• Optimise routing, speed and bunker strategies balancing commercial and operational needs.
• Conduct post-voyage performance analysis and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Oversee IMOS data integrity, invoicing processes, laytime calculations, freight/hire flows and voyage P&L.
• Work closely with commercial and finance teams to improve voyage profitability and operational decision-making.
• Ensure full compliance with international regulations, port requirements and internal procedures.
• Anticipate operational risks and implement proactive mitigation strategies.
• Assess situations accurately, evaluate severity and adapt actions.
• Consider cost, risk, safety, contractual and reputational implications when making operational decisions.
• Provide guidance to the team on claims prevention, documentation and escalation.
• Monitor and assess new technologies, tools and software systems relevant to dry bulk operations.
• Recommend more efficient and effective procedures to improve operational performance.
• Support the implementation of new systems, processes and best practices.
• Encourage the Operations team to adopt a continuous improvement mindset.

Job description

Cobelfret is a well-established group of dry bulk shipping companies with offices in Luxemburg, Singapore, Switzerland, Miami and Antwerp. We operate worldwide a time-chartered and owned fleet of about 100 vessels ranging from handysizes to capesizes.

For our operations team in Singapore, we are seeking a Head of Operations who will be responsible for leading the Operations department and ensuring the operational performance of an assigned fleet, with a focus on safe, compliant and commercially efficient voyage execution.

Within this challenging role, combining operational expertise, team supervision and strategic contribution, you will play a key part in driving operational excellence, developing team capabilities, improving processes and contributing directly to voyage profitability, risk management and strategic decision-making.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Lead, supervise and support the Operations team in Singapore by providing clear direction, guidance and technical support.
• Train, coach and develop team members to strengthen their technical capabilities, autonomy and operational awareness.
• Distribute workload effectively across the team and ensure operational continuity across time zones.
• Foster a positive, professional and performance-driven working environment.

Operational Leadership & Execution

• Lead post-fixture operations for a globally trading dry bulk fleet across multiple time zones.
• Oversee voyage execution from fixture to completion, ensuring efficiency, compliance and cost control.
• Act as a senior escalation point for complex operational matters.
• Support Operators in managing operational priorities, risks and stakeholder expectations.

Voyage Performance & Optimisation

• Optimise routing, speed and bunker strategies, balancing commercial and operational requirements.
• Conduct post-voyage performance analysis and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Oversee IMOS data integrity, invoicing processes, laytime calculations, freight/hire flows and voyage P&L.
• Work closely with commercial and finance teams to improve voyage profitability and operational decision-making.

Risk, Compliance & Situational Awareness

• Ensure full compliance with international regulations, port requirements and internal procedures.
• Anticipate operational risks and implement proactive mitigation strategies.
• Assess situations accurately, evaluate their severity and adapt actions accordingly.
• Consider cost, risk, safety, contractual and reputational implications when making operational decisions.
• Provide guidance to the team on claims prevention, documentation and escalation.

Change Management & Process Improvement

• Monitor and assess new technologies, tools and software systems relevant to dry bulk operations.
• Recommend more efficient and effective procedures to improve operational performance.
• Support the implementation of new systems, processes and best practices.
• Encourage the Operations team to adopt a continuous improvement mindset.

Requirements

• Minimum 10–12 years’ experience in dry bulk vessel operations, with senior (people) management-level exposure.
• Ability to provide direction, encourage collaboration and empower people to develop their skills, take ownership and grow in their role.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and decision-making skills.
• Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced, global environment.
• Strong knowledge of charter party execution, laytime, bunker planning and voyage optimisation.
• Ability to manage complex operations across multiple vessels, time zones and stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of regulatory frameworks and environmental compliance.
• Proficiency in IMOS; experience with NAPA, Shipfix and DA Desk is an advantage.
• Strong situational awareness, with the ability to assess operational issues quickly and respond appropriately.

We offer you an opportunity to join Cobelfret, a leading dry bulk shipping company with a global footprint, where initiative, teamwork, and commercial drive are rewarded. You will play a key role in shaping operational excellence, team structure and risk management frameworks with a direct exposure to senior decision-makers and commercial strategy.