# Commercial Manager, Africa

> Aesen Group · Dubai, United Arab Emirates · Full-time · Posted 2026-09-14

**Workplace:** on_site

**Department:** COMMERCIAL

## Description

### Key Responsibilities

**Mandatory Experience Required:**

-   Proven experience in the **marine/offshore shipping industry**, with hands-on commercial and chartering exposure in Africa across different vessel types, including **crew boats, DP vessels, barges and other offshore support vessels**.
-   Strong track record in **developing and expanding the African market**, including customer acquisition, business development, chartering and commercial negotiations.
-   Established network of **charterers, shipowners, brokers, offshore operators and other key industry stakeholders**.
-   The position will be based in Dubai focusing on Africa market.

**Commercial & Chartering, Africa**

-   Develop and execute chartering strategies aligned with business and financial objectives.
-   Identify and evaluate market opportunities, cargo requirements, vessel positions and potential fixtures.
-   Lead negotiations for voyage, time-charter and other relevant chartering contracts.
-   Maximize vessel utilization, freight earnings and overall commercial returns.
-   Review and approve commercial terms, ensuring alignment with company risk appetite and delegation of authority.
-   Monitor fixture performance, freight rates, market trends and competitor activity.
-   Develop and maintain a strong network of charterers, shipowners, brokers and industry stakeholders.

**Market Intelligence, Africa**

-   Monitor global and regional shipping markets, freight rates, supply/demand trends and relevant geopolitical and economic developments.
-   Provide regular market intelligence and recommendations to senior management.
-   Identify emerging commercial opportunities and potential market risks.

**Business Development, Africa**

-   Develop new customer relationships and expand the company's commercial portfolio.
-   Maintain strong relationships with existing key customers and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
-   Support development of new trade routes, cargo segments and commercial opportunities.
-   Prepare commercial proposals, tenders and business cases where required.

**Financial & Risk Management**

-   Ensure chartering decisions support revenue, profitability and margin targets.
-   Analyze voyage economics, freight profitability, demurrage/despatch and associated commercial costs.
-   Identify and mitigate contractual, credit and market risks.
-   Work closely with Finance, Operations, Legal and Technical teams to ensure successful execution of fixtures.

**Leadership**

-   Lead, coach and develop the commercial chartering team.
-   Establish clear objectives, KPIs and performance expectations.
-   Review team performance and provide guidance on complex commercial negotiations.
-   Promote compliance with company policies, procedures and governance requirements.

## Requirements

### Key Competencies

-   Strong chartering and commercial negotiation skills in Africa market.
-   Excellent knowledge of dry bulk/shipping markets
-   Strong commercial and financial acumen
-   Market analysis and business development capability
-   Contractual and risk-management knowledge
-   Strong stakeholder and relationship-management skills
-   Leadership and people-management capability
-   Strong communication, negotiation and decision-making skills
-   Ability to work effectively under pressure and make commercially sound decisions

### Qualifications & Experience

-   Bachelor's degree in **Maritime Studies, Shipping, Business, Finance, Economics** or a related discipline.
-   Typically **10–15+ years of relevant experience** in shipping, chartering or commercial operations, with significant experience in chartering.
-   Proven track record in negotiating and executing chartering contracts and generating profitable fixtures.
-   Strong established network within the shipping/chartering industry.
-   Experience managing a commercial team is preferred.
-   Strong knowledge of relevant charter-party terms, shipping regulations and commercial practices.

## Apply

[Apply at Aesen Group](https://apply.workable.com/aesengroup/j/F0CB7F19E5/apply)

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