Shipping Manager (relocation to Africa)

The Shipping Manager is responsible for managing, optimizing, and growing the company’s shipping activities in a compliant, efficient, and profitable manner. The role has accountability for operational performance, cost control, carrier management, customer service, and regulatory compliance, ensuring alignment with OBT group standards and local market requirements. The Shipping Manager acts as the senior authority for shipping operations in the country, driving reliability, efficiency, and scalable growth across ocean freight and related shipping services. 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. 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. 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.