We are seeking a commercially driven and strategically minded Senior Freight Manager to lead and shape our global dry bulk freight operations across the grain trade.
This is not a conventional shipping role. The position sits at the intersection of freight strategy, commodity trading, operational excellence, and technology transformation. The successful candidate will play a critical role in optimizing freight exposure, strengthening owner and broker relationships, and driving operational efficiency across the freight lifecycle.
The role leads end-to-end across Chartering and Post-Fixture Operations, ensuring smooth execution from contract negotiation through voyage completion, and serves as a trusted partner to the Cargo Trading teams.
We are looking for a freight professional with deep expertise across Handysize to Panamax markets, strong commercial instincts, and the ability to modernize workflows through technology, automation, and AI-enabled operational processes.
Key Responsibilities
Freight Strategy & Commercial Leadership
- Lead freight market positioning and exposure management across short-term and long-term chartering strategies
- Drive commercial decision-making across voyage charters, COAs, and period charter structures
- Advise Cargo Trade Teams on freight pricing, vessel availability, and logistical feasibility across global grain flows
- Develop and execute freight hedging and bunker procurement strategies to protect trading margins
- Monitor freight market fundamentals, vessel supply trends, port dynamics, and geopolitical developments impacting grain flows
Chartering & Vessel Procurement
- Lead procurement and chartering of Handysize to Panamax vessels for global grain movements
- Utilize deep relationships with vessel owners, operators, and chartering brokerages to secure competitive freight opportunities
- Negotiate and structure voyage, short-term, and long-term charter agreements with strong commercial and operational oversight
- Ensure charter party terms are commercially optimized while remaining operationally executable
Post Fixture & Operational Excellence
- Oversee the full post fixture lifecycle, including voyage execution, claims management, vessel performance, and operational troubleshooting
- Drive voyage optimization and proactive mitigation of off-hire risks, delays, and operational inefficiencies
- Collaborate closely with operations, finance, and trading teams to ensure accurate freight invoicing, reporting, and settlement processes
- Champion process improvement initiatives that enhance operational transparency, speed, and control
Technology, Automation & Innovation
- Lead the adoption and optimization of digital freight and chartering tools, including IMOS and related shipping platforms
- Drive automation initiatives across chartering and operations workflows to improve efficiency and reduce operational errors
- Identify opportunities to leverage AI and data-driven technologies to enhance freight analytics, operational controls, document management, and decision-making
- Build scalable and modern freight operating processes aligned with the future of digital shipping operations
Legal, Insurance & Risk Management
- Serve as the lead authority on maritime disputes, arbitration strategy, and settlement negotiations, including LMAA proceedings
- Oversee complex P&I and H&M insurance matters, particularly grain-related operational risks, including cargo heating, infestation, contamination, and cargo damage
- Provide commercial guidance on laytime, demurrage, and despatch negotiations
- Ensure compliance with maritime regulations, trade sanctions, and operational risk frameworks
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Lead and mentor a high-performing team across chartering and operations
- Foster a culture of accountability, commercial ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Act as the primary liaison between Freight, Trading, Operations, Finance, and external market stakeholders
- Build trusted relationships internally and externally across the global shipping ecosystem
Candidate Profile
Experience & Market Expertise
- 12 to 15+ years of experience within dry bulk shipping and international grain trade
- Proven expertise across Handysize to Panamax vessel segments
- Strong experience managing freight books and making successful commercial freight decisions
- Deep experience handling voyage charters, short-term charters, COAs, and long-term chartering structures
- Established relationships with vessel owners, operators, and global chartering brokerages
Technical & Commercial Capabilities
- Strong expertise in charter party drafting, negotiation, and interpretation
- Deep understanding of maritime arbitration, shipping claims, and insurance frameworks
- Strong operational understanding of grain cargo logistics, including fumigation, phytosanitary requirements, and draft-restricted ports
- Hands-on experience with freight and shipping systems such as IMOS
- Strong interest and capability in leveraging automation, digital tools, and AI within shipping operations
Leadership & Communication
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in high-pressure commercial environments
- Strong stakeholder management and negotiation capabilities
- Ability to translate complex freight market dynamics into clear commercial insights for trading teams
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a continuous improvement and transformation orientation
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to play a highly strategic role within a growing global commodities platform, helping shape the future of freight operations, commercial shipping strategy, and digital transformation across the grain trade.
