At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation in shipping, optimising commercial processes and enhancing decision-making.
- Company: Join bp, a diverse and innovative leader in the energy sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous parental leave, and excellent retirement benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving digital innovation in the shipping industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and experience with commercial shipping systems required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Entity: Supply, Trading & Shipping
Job Family Group: Shipping Group
Role Overview
The Shipping Digital Lead (Commercial) is an individual contributor within the Shipping Technical team, collaborating with the Shipping Digital & Technology Manager. The role acts as the digital and technology partner for Shipping's commercial activities, ensuring that systems, data, and digital capabilities effectively support Chartering and Optimisation, including voyage management, freight economics, emissions, and performance reporting. The role provides senior expertise to support broader Shipping digital priorities, including digital transformation, business process modernization, data quality improvement, AI-enabled capability development, and value realization. As the domain authority for commercial systems and tools (including IMOS and a suite of other commercial platforms), the role combines deep functional expertise with hands-on experience in configuration and development. The position is responsible for shaping commercial digital priorities and delivering business value through effective technology enablement, including supporting the ambition to apply AI where it enhances decision quality, efficiency, and performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Business Partnering & Domain Leadership
- Act as the primary digital interface for Chartering, Optimisation, and related commercial teams.
- Develop a deep understanding of chartering workflows, voyage optimization, voyage economics, and performance management.
- Translate business needs into clear, value-driven digital requirements.
- Product Ownership & Delivery Leadership
- Serve as product owner and functional authority for key commercial shipping systems, including IMOS, ZeroNorth, Stormgeo, and other chartering tools.
- Lead data structures to optimize systems, reduce workarounds, and improve usability.
- Work with vendors to influence system enhancements that add new value to chartering and optimisation workflows.
- Maintain prioritized backlogs, shape delivery scope, and oversee implementation to ensure solutions are fit-for-purpose, adopted, and deliver measurable value.
- Commercial Process & Systems Expertise
- Apply strong knowledge of commercial shipping processes to guide system configuration and technology decisions.
- Find opportunities to:
- Reduce manual effort
- Improve data quality through consistent collection and validation
- Strengthen reporting
- Accelerate commercial decision-making across the voyage lifecycle
- Build trusted relationships with stakeholders across commercial teams at all levels.
- Communicate digital strategy, priorities, and progress in clear business terms.
- Influence decisions and secure alignment without formal authority.
- Define success measures for digital initiatives and ensure benefits are tracked, evidenced, and reported.
- Contribute to Shipping Technology governance by providing visibility of progress, risks, and value realization within the commercial domain.
- Champion compliance through auditability and self-verification.
- Promote safe digital working practices and end-user awareness.
- Support cyber security resilience across commercial systems.
- Drive digital transformation across the commercial shipping domain.
- Assess external markets, vendors, and competitors to identify high-value opportunities.
- Introduce and scale advanced analytics, automation, and AI-enabled capabilities within commercial systems where they improve efficiency, optimisation outcomes, emissions insight, or performance transparency.
- Shape the digital roadmap for Chartering and Optimisation.
- Evolve systems from transactional record-keeping to effective commercial decision support tools.
- Identify, prioritize, and deliver digital initiatives aligned to broader Supply, Trading & Shipping strategy.
Education
Degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field (e.g., Technology, Maritime, Engineering, or Business). Professional training in Agile delivery, product ownership, or business change is desirable.
Essential Experience & Skills
- Demonstrable deep expertise in system design and configuration of commercial shipping systems, particularly IMOS (and platforms such as ZeroNorth and Stormgeo).
- Experience working with vendors (e.g., Veson) to enhance system functionality and optimize configuration.
- Solid understanding of commercial shipping processes, including chartering, optimisation, voyage economics, emissions, and performance reporting.
- Experience in digital product management, technology delivery, or business change within shipping, trading, or logistics environments.
- Validated ability to operate at senior stakeholder level and influence outcomes without formal authority.
- Experience working in Agile delivery environments, with ownership of scope, priorities, and outcomes.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Desirable Experience
- Experience supporting emissions, efficiency, or decarbonisation initiatives in shipping.
- Background in process modernization, analytics, or AI-enabled decision support.
- Previous experience as a Product Owner, Digital Lead, or Business Technology Partner within Trading & Shipping or adjacent domains.
- Relevant professional certifications (e.g., Agile, Product Ownership, Business Analysis, Project Management).
Why join us?
At bp, we support our people to grow in a diverse and exciting environment. We believe that our team is strengthened by diversity. There are many aspects of our employees' lives that are meaningful, so we offer benefits to enable your work to fit with your life. These benefits can include flexible working options, a generous paid parental leave policy, excellent retirement benefits, among others!
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation!
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.
Shipping Digital Lead in Slough employer: Bp Energy
At bp, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that fosters personal and professional growth. Our Shipping Digital Lead role provides the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge digital transformation initiatives while enjoying flexible working options and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous parental leave and retirement plans. Join us in a collaborative environment where your expertise will directly contribute to enhancing commercial shipping processes and driving innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shipping Digital Lead in Slough
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like Bp Energy and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at Bp Energy!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like Bp Energy keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Shipping Digital Lead in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Bp Energy:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Bp Energy. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bp Energy
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Bp Energy.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Bp Energy that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Bp Energy. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
