Job Summary

Provide a brief description of the basic function of this job.  The objective of this role is to deliver well-developed and cost-effective marine logistics while leveraging industry knowledge and market conditions to ensure our refinery network is supplied and trading value maximized in the most efficient manner. Provides day to day oversight of desk operations while leading Commercial Operators.  Provides support and guidance to Operators, Freight Traders, Scheduling, and Traders. Coordinates all operation aspects of Marine Freight book activities, ensuring voyages are optimized with cost-effective methods to minimize running costs, and maximize value as per contractual terms. Manage the physical risk that is associated with oil tankers on the water and escalate accordingly if issues arise. Demonstrate and train team to assess operational and business risks, minimizing impacts which may impede success or growth of the Company and Freight/Trading P&L’s. Create and maintain a positive, respectful, professional, and driven team. Motivate, promote team spirit, and generate a positive work environment. Overcome challenges encountered and learn how to implement practices to avoid them going forward. Be prompt, efficient, and professional when passing information between parties and find ways to create value for the desk. The operations team is expected to have a commercial mindset.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to work in a fast-pace, multi-task environment
• Proven leadership, highly capable teacher and trainer
• Effective interpersonal and leadership skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills leading to effective decision making
• Strong attention to detail and ability to successfully prioritize and complete tasks
• Ability to manage across multiple interfaces and stakeholders
• Knowledge of customs regulations and trade compliance
• Strong proficiency in shipping logistics software
• Ability to make presentations to Upper Management
• Represent CITGO with integrity, trust, and CITGO key values.
• The minimum number of years of job-related experience required by this job is: A Bachelor's degree and 5+ years marine experience in a trading environment.  Sailing experience is also preferred but not required.  

Job Duties

1. Lead and Develop Commercial Freight Operators utilizing an expert knowledge in the areas noted below.  Understand how to maximize productivity and value added by the Commercial Freight Operations team. 
2. Lead and advise the optimization of  marine assets to reduce logistics costs and increase value for various Trading teams
3. Develop, implement, and manage departmental processes and procedures to ensure consistency across the group (especially when it comes to desk coverage), provide proper training and apprenticeship to develop Operations personnel to meet the highest standards. Stay within compliance limits, prevent audit findings, and mitigate both physical and financial risk associated with CITGO seaborne cargoes/voyages. Work with internal departments to streamline CITGO processes to make the Team and Corporation more efficient.
4. Build and maintain effective networks and strategic relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, offering support and providing guidance to ensure the safe, compliant, and reliable planning and execution of voyages, while maximizing commercial value. Partnering with:
   1. The wider CITGO Group
   2. Teams within CITGO Vetting & Clearance, Freight Trading, Demurrage, Trading, Accounting, Right Angle, Credit, Compliance, Scheduling
   3. External bodies (such as owners, brokers, and agents)
   4. Masters of Vessels

Job Duties II

5. Commercial Mindset and Collaboration: Make innovative commercial decisions to maximize voyage earnings and opportunities for cost savings. Drive marine initiatives forward to meet or exceed industry standard practices. Multi-task on priorities and think on your feet to deal with contractual problems ensuring that they are managed professionally and optimally for the trading business. Ensure clear communication to internal stakeholders and challenge decision making when needed.

6. Management and oversight of all seaborne activity including day-today operations of allocaed voyages for, time chartered and spot-chartered vessels in accordance with the charter party terms

7. Acts as a main point of contact for routine internal and external inquiries on the desk, consolidate the information into presentable report.  Maintain close communications with customers and if necessary, informing customers of problems and issues risen from fulfilment of contracts concluded with them.  Maintain close communications with Traders and relevant teams to ensure smooth cooperation; proactively offering creative solutions to Trading team issues.

8. Support outside of office hours and weekends to cover relevant movements.