Ships Agency Operator Western Cape

Join our global team for a career filled with opportunities to solve challenges both small and large, local and global, simple and complex.

Have you ever stared out at sea and wondered which exotic destinations all these ships you see are coming from and going to? We know as we are agents in more than 2200 ports around the world.

In Wilhelmsen Port Services, we provide our customers with peace of mind while we handle their cargo, their vessels, and their crew.

We are looking for a talent with strong organizational skills and attention to detail to be part of our Ships Agency Operations team in Cape Town.

If you are well organized, customer-focused, have the ability to deal with multiple deadlines, result-oriented, and motivated by challenges, this may be the position for you.

Preferably, you already have a solid understanding of the Shipping Industry and are familiar with port regulations. You will need to possess a strong Health and Safety focus with a desire to get the job done and get it done right.

Key Responsibilities for this position:

1. Attend and board vessels as required and as directed by the respective Manager in accordance with Standard of Operation and Customer Requirements.
2. Responsible for the effective coordination of assigned port calls.
3. Advise on the selection of contractors for goods and services provided to principals including submission of competitive quotations as required.
4. Ensure compliance with Ships Agency processes, standards, and procedures including correct use of the operating system.
5. Maintain proper monitoring of the vessel and attend to any follow-up enquiries.
6. Ensure the correct amount of prefunding is received or the correct level of authority has approved any deviation prior to performing the Port Call. Same to be ensured when additional funding is required prior to the vessel's sailing.
7. Establish and maintain vessel files and ensure all transactional systems are updated in real time.
8. Ensure proactive, efficient, and timely communication at all times.
9. Report leads, business opportunities, and relevant port updates observed to the Manager.
10. Monitor and record expenses that arise during vessel port calls ensuring cost-effective vessel operations.
11. Ensure Cash in Transit (Cash to Master) is handled as per procedure.
12. Proactively follow up, check, and approve suppliers' invoices.
13. Comply with PPE Standards when working in ports/onboard vessels.
14. Address QHSSE matters in own function.
15. Provide input to improve the operational and cost efficiency of the port call.

This position will be measured against:

1. Ensuring consistent high level of accuracy of deliverables.
2. Meeting or exceeding annual KPI targets for Ships Agency performance.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

1. Maritime background and experience from Ship Agency Operations.
2. Good communication skills and command of the English language (oral and written).
3. Process and system understanding.
4. Self-motivated and result-oriented.
5. Proactive and possesses the ability to anticipate issues to facilitate preventive measures.
6. Ability to work under pressure.
7. Problem-solving skills with the ability to make fast and sound judgments.
8. Ability to effectively plan & direct an operation without compromising safety to personnel and vessel.
9. Good motivator and team leadership skills.
10. Familiar with Port & local Authorities regulations, procedures, and governing tariffs.
11. Computer literate.

The ability to work independently, under pressure, to be a problem solver and a solution provider are important traits to be successful in the role, while always remembering you are part of a team working to be successful together. Reliability, trustworthiness, multitasking, thoroughness, and determination are all characteristics that you also need to possess.

If you can see yourself in this role, please let us know why you are our new Ships Agency Operator.

You can apply online today through our career portal by creating a Candidate profile where you can upload your resume and a motivational letter.

Work Location:

Position is based in Cape Town and includes Agency operational responsibilities for Saldanha Bay & Mossel Bay.

Application Deadline:

25 / 04 / 2025

Key Skills:

Sales Experience, B2B Sales, Marketing, Financial Services, Customer Services, Management Experience, Redmine, Agency Management, Home Care, Outside Sales, Sales Management, Recruiting.

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1