Regional Optimization Lead in Rochester

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‑Charterparties, 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.

Essential Experience

• 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.

Desirable Experience

• 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.

Why Join Us?

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 Requirement

Up 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.

Skills: Analytical Thinking, Ancillary cost management, Bunker buyer, Chartering, Coaching, Commercial Acumen, Communication, Customer service delivery excellence, Demurrage, Developing and implementing strategy, Listening, Marine assurance, Marine Operations, Marine systems and processes, Marine technical, Market Knowledge, Mentoring, Negotiating value, Operational Excellence, Partner relationship management, Problem Solving, Sentiment and Trends, Shipping/transport, Trading and scheduling operations.