Shipping Operator

Unipec America Inc; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

UNIPEC America is seeking a Shipping Operator in Houston to coordinate and monitor ship operations, ensuring safety, reliability and cost-effectiveness for energy trading. You will oversee vessel operations, arrange voyages, bunkering, and agency appointments while maintaining compliance with UNIPEC America policies.

The role requires a Maritime bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of tanker operation or chartering experience, with strong negotiation and scheduling skills in a dynamic trading

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Maritime or related field preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of tanker commercial operation or chartering experience.
• Strong understanding of charter party terms and conditions (Time Charter, Voyage Charter).
• Knowledge of shipping regulatory framework.
• Strong negotiation and scheduling skills.
• Proactive in a dynamic trading environment.

Responsibilities

• Direct vessel commercial operations and port scheduling per charter terms and trading needs.
• Arrange voyages and coordinate changes to optimize cost savings with stakeholders.
• Monitor vessel performance and report to Chartering, Trading and Crude Operations teams.
• Prepare and send instructions and documents, including voyage orders and LOIs to ship owners and agents.
• Ensure timely input of shipping data into IT systems and maintain shipping records.
• Coordinate with charterers, traders, cargo operators, brokers, agents and vessels to resolve issues.
• Maintain awareness of port restrictions and ensure smooth operation.
• Track and arrange freight invoices and other shipping costs.

Skills

Maritime ops

Negotiation

Scheduling

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Maritime or related field

Job description

Description

The Shipping Operator is responsible for coordinating and monitoring ship operations to ensure they are conducted safely, reliably, and cost-effectively in support of the energy trading business and in accordance with charter-party terms and conditions. Key responsibilities include overseeing vessel operations, coordinating loading processes, preparing voyage orders, arranging bunkering and agency appointments, and monitoring voyages. The Shipping Operator achieves these objectives while adhering to compliance and safety standards set by UNIPEC America.

Responsibilities

• Direct vessel commercial operations, port scheduling according to charter-party terms and conditions and trading requirements
• Arrange voyages and coordinate any changes or adjustments with respect to cost savings with all stakeholders
• Monitor vessels commercial and contractual performance and communicate to Chartering, Trading and Crude Operations team as appropriate
• Prepare and send instructions and documents including loadable requirements, voyage orders, LOI’s to ship owners, and agent nominations
• Ensure timely input of shipping information in IT SYSTEMS, collect and save shipping and cargo documents
• Coordinate and communicate with charterers, traders, cargo operators, brokers, agents, and vessels to facilitate resolving any issue related to ships
• Maintain awareness of port restrictions and regulations and ensure smooth operation
• Track, analyze, and arrange all freight invoices and other shipping costs
• Coordinate with Finance to provide accurate and timely data for efficient invoicing and rebilling to third parties
• Prepare shipping data and required statistics
• Proactive communication, efficient coordination, and strong organizational skills to maintain smooth operational performance and service quality.
• Ensure that all data and operational inputs are accurate, timely, and standardized across systems.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, policies, and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Maritime, such as Maritime Transportation, Maritime Business Administration, International Logistics, or related field preferred
• Minimum 3 years of experience with tanker commercial operation or chartering
• Strong understanding of Charter party terms and conditions (Time Charter, Voyage Charter)
• Knowledge of shipping regulatory framework
• Strong negotiation and scheduling skills
• Strong analytical capability
• Attention to details
• Proactive in a dynamic trading environment
• Ability to work after office hours will be required in urgent situations

This position requires permanent, unconditional authorization to work in the United States as a condition of employment. Eligible candidates are limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) whose work authorization does not expire, is not subject to renewal, and is not contingent upon any pending application, petition, or adjudication by any government agency. The following do not satisfy this requirement:

• Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) of any kind, including those issued in connection with a pending application for adjustment of status (I-485), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), DACA, or any other pending immigration proceeding;
• Any nonimmigrant visa status, including but not limited to H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, STEM OPT, or CPT; or
• Any other work authorization that is temporary, conditional, or subject to change based on a government decision.

The Company does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship of any kind, now or in the future.