Commercial Operator – Freight

Within Shell Trading, Crude and Products Freight Trading controls a fleet of ships comprising LR, MR, VLGC, Crude, Specialized and Chemicals (Office locations are in Houston, London, Dubai, Bahamas and Singapore). Operators have a large part to play in the optimisation of bunker purchasing.

This is an excellent opportunity for high potential candidates who are looking for front line freight trading experience and with the ability to proactively create and develop this new process opportunity and identify opportunities for value improvement and driving change.

This role is part of Trading & Supply (T&S) Crude & Product Commercial Freight Operations reporting to Team Lead Freight Operations – London, which is part of a Global Crude & Products Commercial Freight Operations team responsible for providing professional freight operations to the team of Freight Traders. Commercial Freight Operators work closely with Freight Traders to ensure the smooth and efficient conduct of all commodities for charters both in and out fixtures which are essential to optimize the commercial benefits to the oil trading businesses and P&L of the Global Freight Trading team.

What’s the role?

We are looking for a motivated, results driven individual with good interpersonal skills, who can work well under pressure and be an integral member of both the Crude and Product Freight Team.

Job scope and responsibilities include:

• End-to-end management of our Time Charter vessels operations for Crude, Clean/Dirty Petroleum, Gas and Chemicals tankers.
• Have full knowledge of vessel operations, conduct all freight operational activities promptly

and professionally ensuring that all obligations and requirements under the charter party

contract terms are met.

• Operators are expected to have a commercial mindset while scheduling and operating vessels to load and deliver cargoes along the value chain, as well as look out for opportunities to capitalize on opportunities and/or add value to supply chain.
• Ensure the efficient operation of the Time Chartered vessels including the issuance of voyage orders, the correct preparation of cargo tanks and the issuance of LOIs in accordance with charter party terms and conditions.
• Conduct all freight operational activities promptly and professionally ensuring that all obligations and requirements under the charter party contract terms are met. This refers both to charters internally and with third parties.
• Deal with cargo and freight counterparties, terminals and vessels on a regular basis regarding all post-deal activities ensuring all necessary operational information is passed on in good time and documentary requirements are met.
• Identify and maximize the embedded optionality within charter party agreements (i.e. laycans, demurrage rates, ship space parcelling, ship swaps, backhaul opportunities).
• Liaise with Charterers to ensure smooth operations to avoid disruption and to optimize vessel returns and usage.
• Ensure that bunker procurement is optimized in terms of location and cost in close liaison with the freight traders and in line with Shell policy and guidelines.
• Daily updates of in-house system (RADAR) tools for ship operations and records management to track P&L.
• Make cargo and vessel nominations, prepare and send voyage orders and monitor progress of vessels.
• Required to pre-empt issues and avoid any delays which could hit our bottom line.
• One of the most important elements in vessel management is the ability to monitor the performance and profitability of each voyage or the fleet. In order to achieve this, it is imperative that costs are accurately reflected and, where applicable, recovered from charterers or ship owners.
• Ensure that we comply with regulatory and governmental requirements as well as adhere to HSSE/Safety guidelines.

What We Need From You

• Ideally coming with trading, shipping, or operations experience.
• The successful candidate must have ability to function well in a fast-paced dynamic environment where changes are the norm. The work is varied and requires individual with a thorough understanding of many aspects of the shipping, supply, or oil trading business.
• High availability on call 24/7.
• Ability to work under pressure and high resilience.
• Protective resolution minded, with spirit of initiative.
• Good stakeholder management and ability to display team spirit.
• Self-motivation learner and possess strong analytical, problem solving and troubleshooting skills to recognize and solve problems quickly.
• Highly effective planning and organization skills are essential to meet demanding schedules and goals.
• Required to be commercially astute and own the life of the deal to ensure we maximize our margins.
• Required to be able to manage multiple and conflicting priorities to achieve business intent for the enterprise.

Company Description

Shell started operations in the United Kingdom more than 110 years ago. Since then, we have grown into a leading innovative Oil & Energy company that rewards its employees by investing heavily in their careers and learning. Our people are our greatest asset, and our commitment to your career will see you thrive in a work environment that offers an industry-leading development programme. When your ideas travel, Shell will benefit, and innovation will thrive. Shell has a key role to play in helping meet the UK’s growing energy demand, whilst using innovative technologies to develop cleaner energy. We are the largest FTSE 100 company in the UK by market capitalisation and make a significant contribution to the UK economy. As well as processing 35% of the gas coming into the UK, we serve more than four million customers at our filling stations each week. Shell employs some 6,400 skilled staff as well as many contractors.

An innovative place to work

There’s never been a more exciting time to work at Shell.

Join us and you’ll be adding your talent and imagination to a business with the ambition to shape the future – whether by investing in oil, gas and renewable energy to meet demand, exploring new ways to store energy, or developing technology that helps the world to use energy more efficiently, everyone at Shell does their part.

An inclusive place to work

To power progress, we need to attract and develop the brightest minds and make sure every voice is heard. Here are just some of the ways we are nurturing an inclusive environment – one where you can express your ideas, extend your skills, and reach your potential.

• We’re creating a space where people with disabilities can excel through transparent recruitment process, workplace adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Feel free to let us know about your circumstances when you apply, and we’ll take it from there.
• We’re closing the gender gap – whether that’s through action on equal pay or by enabling more women to reach senior roles in engineering and technology.
• We’re striving to be a pioneer of an inclusive and diverse workplace, promoting equality for employees regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
• We consider ourselves a flexible employer and want to support you finding the right balance. We encourage you to discuss this with us in your application.

A rewarding place to work

Combine our creative, collaborative environment and global operations with an impressive range of benefits and joining Shell becomes an inspired career choice.

We’re huge advocates for career development. We’ll encourage you to try new roles and experience new settings. By pushing people to reach their potential, we frequently help them find skills they never knew they had, or make career moves they never thought possible.