Shipping Manager (relocation to Africa)

Job Description

Job Requirements

• Minimum 4–6 years’ experience in shipping, logistics, or maritime operations (e.g. shipping agency, port operations, ocean freight, freight forwarding, or supply chain), preferably with exposure to African markets.
• Strong knowledge of maritime and shipping operations, port and terminal procedures, ocean freight processes, customs clearance, documentation, and end-to-end supply-chain logistics.
• Hands-on experience with project cargo, heavy-lift shipments, breakbulk, or vessel chartering is a strong advantage.
• Solid understanding of international shipping regulations, Incoterms, customs requirements, and import/export compliance.
• Experience managing shipping lines, agents, ports, and service providers, including rate and service negotiations.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to manage multiple shipments, trade lanes, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Proven leadership or supervisory experience, with strong coordination and communication skills across operational and commercial teams.
• Strong problem-solving mindset and ability to handle operational disruptions, delays, and escalations effectively.
• High level of interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, capable of working with port authorities, customers, partners, and internal teams across time zones.
• Willingness to relocate and work on-site in Africa, depending on business needs.
• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Maritime Studies, Business, or equivalent professional experience.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end shipping operations, including ocean freight (import/export/cross-trade), carrier bookings, port operations, and related documentation.
• Coordinate with shipping lines, ports, terminal operators, agents, freight forwarders, customs authorities, and internal teams to ensure smooth and efficient cargo movement.
• Manage port calls and vessel-related activities where applicable, ensuring operational readiness, compliance, and cost control.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute project cargo and heavy-lift shipments, including carrier selection, routing, scheduling, loading/unloading supervision, and documentation, where relevant.
• Monitor and manage key performance metrics such as transit times, schedule reliability, port and terminal efficiency, freight costs, demurrage/detention, compliance, and service quality.
• Develop and implement shipping strategies to optimize trade lanes, carrier selection, routing, and cost efficiency while maintaining service reliability.
• Negotiate and manage contracts, rates, and service agreements with shipping lines, agents, and service providers.
• Ensure full compliance with local and international maritime regulations, customs requirements, import/export controls, safety standards, and documentation accuracy.
• Identify operational risks and proactively implement mitigation measures to minimize disruptions and financial exposure.
• Support commercial and sales teams with competitive shipping solutions, pricing inputs, and customer-specific logistics proposals.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, process standardization, and digitalization in line with group systems and policies.
• Handle operational escalations and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and service recovery.
• Lead, coach, and develop the shipping operations team, fostering a culture of accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Job Benefits

• Opportunity to work with a well-established pan-African maritime & logistics company with strong regional presence.
• Challenging and rewarding role with wide scope: shipping, supply-chain, freight forwarding, project logistics.
• Relocation package.
• Exposure to diverse projects across maritime, oil & gas, heavy-lift, warehousing and supply-chain sectors.
• Collaboration with experienced international team and opportunity for career growth within OBT.