Chartering Manager at Topaz Energy and Marine

Topaz Energy and Marine is a leading offshore vessel support company that provides marine logistics solutions to the global energy industry. We operate in the Caspian, Middle East, West Africa and subsea markets with a fleet of over 100 vessels and a team of over 1800 people.

Nigeria- together with our local partners Team Offshore Nigeria Limited, Topaz has been building its presence in Nigeria, where a large part of our West African fleet operates from a base in Onne. Our global experience and systems, combined with local knowledge and expertise are proving integral in supporting national players and major IOCs in developing the country’s natural resources.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Chartering Manager
Job Location: Nigeria
Department: Commercial
Business Unit: Africa
Direct Reporting Line: Country Manager

Job Purpose

• The Chartering Manager is responsible for leading the chartering activities primarily within Nigeria but may extend into other areas within West Africa.

Key Accountabilities
Chartering:
Within Nigeria your responsibilities include but are not limited to managing client relationships, sales and marketing, chartering & commercial management (e.g. market mapping, competitor profiles, client plans). Responsibilities include:

• Input and updating of CRM data
• Pricing and day to day quotation for West Africa
• Tender liaison point of contact for West Africa for the tender & contracts team
• Coordinate the deployment of all Topaz Marine assets under bareboat to TONL in Africa with the
• Commercial team, to ensure optimal utilization and day rates are achieved
• Support in developing and implementation of Contracting strategy in alignment with Strategic Priorities
• Develop and / or review all tenders
• Assisting tendering process across division to adopt optimal pricing parameters, using up to date costing information provided by the finance function
• Ensuring completeness of all bids, and advising on tendering strategy
• Detailed review of bid cost and pricing summaries
• Advising on appropriate insurance to mitigate against all risks
• Coordinate and monitor of contract execution
• Consolidating progress and value reporting for analysis by senior management team;
• Advising on variation and potential risks
• Advising on invoicing and recoveries
• Review the close-out of all contracts and auditing the overall execution of projects to contract
• Help to develop processes and procedures for the effective coordination and management of major contracts across the business;
• Assist with market development strategy for the assigned region

Marketing:

• Develop and maintain a process of continual engagement with key clients, and monitor regional Client contacts
• Promote the reputation and brand of the organization in all dealings with the marine community and clients
• Market existing and new Topaz tonnage, or tonnage from third parties, to the clients in Nigeria and Africa
• Identify opportunities for new businesses, logistics services, and tonnage in the Africa market.

Reporting:

• Maintains close internal relationships with Operations, Commercial and Finance across the business to ensure transparency in contract reporting and information access
• Monthly reporting on chartering and other commercial activities
• Support development and market analysis, review process to ensure that the senior management team are kept fully up to date with Africa OSV market developments
• Assisting with revenue forecasting and budgets

Qualifications, Experience & Skills
Minimum Qualifications:

• Degree level Education in Business, Engineering or Maritime Studies, or equivalent Post Graduate Qualification in Marketing / Business Development discipline.

Minimum Experience:

• Marine background and off-shore marine experience is a preference but not essential.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a comparable commercial role
• Maritime Legislation and regulatory regimes ideally

Job Specific Skills:

• OSV, Shipping, or other relevant B2B Commercial Management skills
• Knowledge of Chartering & Charter parties is preferred
• Good negotiation skills is necessary
• Good English speaking & writing skills, knowledge of French is an advantage
• OSV markets knowledge is an advantage
• Marketing and Business Development Planning