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- Tasks: Lead commercial optimisation for our shipping fleet and enhance voyage efficiency.
- Company: Join bp, a leader in energy with a commitment to diversity.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous parental leave, and excellent retirement benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in shipping while growing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial shipping and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
The Regional Optimization Lead supports the delivery of the commercial optimization agenda across the shipping fleet, working closely with the Senior Commercial Shipping Optimization Manager to turn strategy into effective execution. This senior role maintains a strong focus on live earnings and voyage efficiency, with day-to-day involvement in monitoring vessel behaviour, stepping in on deviations, and partnering with operations, chartering, performance, and claims teams to protect and enhance voyage economics.
Acting as the link between commercial strategy and operational delivery, this role provides hands-on support across fuel utilization, routing, speed handling, bunker planning, claims, and post-voyage analysis. It strengthens transparency and rigor by using dashboards, digital tools, and standardized processes to guide decisions. Collaboration is central to success. The Commercial Lead works closely with Chartering, Operations, Performance, Claims, Bunkers, and Analytics teams to drive optimization, capture value, and ensure findings are applied fleet-wide.
Key Accountabilities- Implement the commercial shipping maximization agenda in line with set priorities, converting strategy into practical voyage and fleet actions.
- Maintain a strong daily earnings focus through PnL oversight, route and speed monitoring, and active participation in daily Chartering optimization huddles.
- Optimize voyage execution through hands-on involvement in fuel utilization, routing, speed management, stoppages, route compliance, and heating strategy, applying heat-to-need principles and surfacing exceptions via dashboards.
- Track vessel and voyage performance benchmarks, working with the Performance Manager to identify underperforming vessels and coordinating corrective actions with internal partners.
- Support bunker optimization by reviewing bunker intakes and helping refine bunker stem decisions to improve cost and efficiency outcomes.
- Take ownership of vessel performance and commercial claims, including performance claims, off-hire tracking, and voyage-level re-billables, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to improve recovery.
- Strengthen charter party and contract performance by reviewing Time-Charter parties, identifying improvement opportunities, and applying redelivery guardrails to prevent over-hire and commercial leakage.
- Deliver post-voyage analysis and insights, working with Analysts and Performance teams on monthly earnings reviews, underperformance reports, and voyage reviews, ensuring findings are embedded through closed-loop feedback.
- Lead bi-weekly optimization huddles with chartering, claims, and operations teams.
- Contribute to benchmarking and reporting, maintaining accurate shipping scorecards, tracking trends against internal targets and industry standards, and highlighting improvement opportunities.
- Own and negotiate underperformance claims with vessel owners.
- Partner across Performance, Chartering, Operations, Digital, Technical teams, charterers, suppliers, and vendors to support optimization, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across the fleet.
- Recent experience in commercial shipping, voyage operations, or fleet performance with hands-on exposure to live voyage management.
- Strong practical understanding of PnL drivers, fuel consumption, routing, speed management, bunker planning, and voyage economics.
- Hands-on experience using IMOS or similar commercial voyage management systems.
- Experience identifying freight losses, reducing idle time, and handling commercial claims (demurrage, off-hire, miscellaneous).
- Solid understanding of tanker charter parties and freight terms.
- Experience in vessel performance assessment, including off-hire and efficiency-related claims.
- Confident working with dashboards, voyage systems, and performance data to support real-time decisions.
- Background as a senior sea-going mariner or recent commercial shipping experience within tanker operations.
- Experience within a vessel-owning organization or tanker pool, with exposure to commercial decision-making, fleet performance drivers, owner-charterer dynamics, and operational frameworks that support optimization.
- Experience working as a charterer for a ship owner or pool operator.
- Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills across technical, digital, commercial, and operational teams, as well as external partners and vendors.
- Understanding of compliance requirements, risk management practices, and governance frameworks relevant to commercial shipping operations.
- Commercial mentality with experience in cost recovery, claims management, contract optimization, and delivering measurable financial outcomes.
- Familiarity with vessel performance technologies, fuel-efficiency solutions, and digital platforms relevant to shipping optimization.
At bp, we support our people to grow in a diverse and dynamic environment. We value the strength that comes from different perspectives and experiences. Our benefits are designed to help your work fit your life, including flexible working options, generous parental leave, and excellent retirement benefits.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process!
Travel RequirementUp to 10% travel should be expected with this role.
Relocation Assistance:This role is not eligible for relocation.
Remote Type:This position is a hybrid of office/remote working.
Regional Optimization Lead employer: Bp Energy
Contact Detail:
Bp Energy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Optimization Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the shipping industry, especially those who work in roles similar to the Regional Optimization Lead. Use LinkedIn to connect and engage with them; you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of PnL drivers and voyage management systems. Be ready to discuss how you've optimised vessel performance in the past. Show us that you can turn strategy into action!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Check out our website for openings that match your skills and interests. We want to see you thrive in a role that excites you!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in making a lasting impression. Remind them why you're the perfect fit for the Regional Optimization Lead role and express your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Optimization Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in commercial shipping and voyage operations. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Regional Optimization Lead, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of data analysis and performance tracking, be sure to mention any experience you have with dashboards or voyage management systems like IMOS. We love seeing candidates who can turn data into actionable insights!
Highlight Collaboration Experience: Collaboration is key for us at StudySmarter, especially in this role. Share examples of how you've worked with different teams, whether it’s chartering, operations, or performance. We want to know how you’ve driven optimisation through teamwork!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do and our company culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bp Energy
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Regional Optimization Lead, you'll need to demonstrate a solid grasp of PnL drivers and voyage economics. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to optimise performance in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role is all about teamwork! Prepare examples of how you've successfully partnered with various teams like Chartering, Operations, and Performance. Highlight specific instances where your collaboration led to improved outcomes.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions about IMOS or similar commercial voyage management systems. Familiarise yourself with the tools and technologies relevant to shipping optimisation, and be prepared to discuss how you've leveraged them in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Think through potential scenarios you might face in this role, such as handling underperformance claims or optimising fuel usage. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies to showcase your analytical thinking.