Manager Cargo And Scheduling job at Uganda National Oil Company Limited

JOB PURPOSE:

OVERSEEING ALL ASPECTS OF CRUDE OIL SHIPPING AND CARGO ACTIVITIES FOR UNOC, INCLUDING MANAGING END-TO-END SUPPLY CHAIN LOGISTICS, VESSEL CHARTERING, OPERATIONS, CLAIMS HANDLING, WHILE ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL MARITIME REGULATIONS.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Supply Chain & Logistics Management

• Oversee the end-to-end physical movement of crude oil, including tanker scheduling, nominations, and lifting coordination to ensure timely and efficient deliveries.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to align logistics planning with commercial and operational priorities.
• Monitor inventory levels and transportation timelines to optimize throughput, avoid production deferrals where possible and meet market demand.

Shipping & Chartering

• Receive and validate lifting requirements from the Marketing & Trading team, ensuring alignment with contractual entitlements and operational readiness.
• Prepare and issue Vessel Enquiry Sheets (VES) to a vetted pool of shipbrokers, clearly outlining voyage parameters, cargo specifications, and laycan windows.
• Conduct thorough market assessments to identify suitable vessels based on freight economics, vessel availability, safety records, and compatibility with loading/discharge terminals.
• Lead freight negotiations with shipowners or brokers, ensuring competitive rates, favourable charter party terms, and alignment with company risk appetite.
• Secure internal approvals for vessel selection and chartering decisions in accordance with governance protocols and delegation of authority.
• Execute charter party agreements (voyage or time charter), ensuring all commercial, legal, and operational terms are clearly defined and enforceable.
• Ensure vessel compliance with international maritime regulations, terminal vetting requirements, and company HSSEQ standards prior to nomination.
• Manage any contractual obligations, operational or administrative aspects of any third party marketing agreements
• Coordinate closely with operations and legal teams to ensure smooth transition from chartering to execution, including documentation, insurance, and risk mitigation.

Operations Oversight

• Maintain full knowledge of charter party forms, including rider clauses, laycan/laydays, ship's itinerary, last cargoes, load and discharge range, freight and demurrage rate, declarations, and terms, to ensure accurate and efficient voyage execution.
• Manage communication between charterers and shipowners throughout the voyage to ensure alignment on operational expectations.
• Plan and coordinate bunkering, appoint port agents, and arrange for disbursement account prefunding to support timely port calls.
• Ensure vessels arrive on time and are fully prepared for loading and discharge operations at designated terminals.
• Oversee the loading process to ensure cargo is stowed as agreed, with correct quantity and segregation, and that all documentation is accurate and complete.
• Ensure the issuance of the Bill of Lading or a valid Letter of Indemnity in accordance with contractual and legal requirements.
• Provide estimated time of arrival (ETA) updates and movement reports to charterers, internal stakeholders, and relevant authorities.
• Monitor freight invoicing and ensure timely follow-up on payments and financial reconciliations.
• Track the performance of time-chartered vessels and manage post-voyage claims, including off-hire, speed and consumption, and deviation claims.

Claims Management

• Review and confirm voyage-related costs and disbursements, ensuring accuracy and contractual compliance.
• Investigate and resolve claims from vessel owners related to demurrage, freight discrepancies, and cargo quality or quantity issues.
• Maintain detailed records of claims, settlements, and supporting documentation for audit and analysis.
• Ensure timely closure of voyage accounts and implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Compliance & Standards

• Ensure all shipping and cargo operations comply with international maritime laws, local regulations, and HSSEQ standards.
• Conduct regular audits, inspections, and risk assessments to uphold operational integrity and safety.
• Stay informed of regulatory changes and proactively implement necessary adjustments to maintain compliance.

Contract Management

• Lead the negotiation and administration of shipping-related contracts, including charter parties and service agreements.
• Ensure all contractual obligations are clearly defined, enforceable, and aligned with company policies.
• Collaborate with legal and commercial teams to address disputes and ensure timely resolution.

Operational Efficiency

• Identify and implement opportunities to reduce logistics costs and improve shipping performance.
• Benchmark operations against industry best practices and introduce innovations to enhance efficiency.
• Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive continuous improvement.

Resiliency Planning

• Develop and maintain contingency plans to address potential disruptions in shipping and cargo operations.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure business continuity during emergencies or unforeseen events.
• Regularly review and update resiliency strategies to reflect evolving risks and operational realities.

Personnel Development

• Lead recruitment, training, and development of personnel in chartering, operations, and claims functions.
• Foster a high-performance culture and ensure knowledge transfer across teams.
• Drive performance management, training, and succession planning, especially with regard to succession of Ugandans into senior roles
• Develop local talent and support national capacity-building priorities
• Promote a strong culture of compliance, ethics, and transparency

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (Hons) in Maritime Studies, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
• A Master's degree in Maritime Studies, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is an added advantage

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant working experience in shipping and cargo operations within the oil and gas industry
• Proven track record in managing large-scale shipping operations is required
• Specialized training in Cargo operations is an added advantage
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams is an added advantage

Character & Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of international shipping regulations, chartering practices, and logistics management.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing cross-functional teams across chartering, operations, and claims.
• Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of global crude oil markets and freight economics.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex contracts and influence key stakeholders in high-stakes environments.
• Expertise in crisis management and operational risk mitigation in international shipping contexts.
• Proficiency in logistics and shipping systems with a data-driven approach to performance optimization
• Should possess a record of impeccable integrity

Added Advantage

Available From: 1/9/2026

• Oversee the end-to-end physical movement of crude oil, including tanker scheduling, nominations, and lifting coordination to ensure timely and efficient deliveries.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to align logistics planning with commercial and operational priorities.
• Monitor inventory levels and transportation timelines to optimize throughput, avoid production deferrals where possible and meet market demand.
• Receive and validate lifting requirements from the Marketing & Trading team, ensuring alignment with contractual entitlements and operational readiness.
• Prepare and issue Vessel Enquiry Sheets (VES) to a vetted pool of shipbrokers, clearly outlining voyage parameters, cargo specifications, and laycan windows.
• Conduct thorough market assessments to identify suitable vessels based on freight economics, vessel availability, safety records, and compatibility with loading/discharge terminals.
• Lead freight negotiations with shipowners or brokers, ensuring competitive rates, favourable charter party terms, and alignment with company risk appetite.
• Secure internal approvals for vessel selection and chartering decisions in accordance with governance protocols and delegation of authority.
• Execute charter party agreements (voyage or time charter), ensuring all commercial, legal, and operational terms are clearly defined and enforceable.
• Ensure vessel compliance with international maritime regulations, terminal vetting requirements, and company HSSEQ standards prior to nomination.
• Manage any contractual obligations, operational or administrative aspects of any third party marketing agreements
• Coordinate closely with operations and legal teams to ensure smooth transition from chartering to execution, including documentation, insurance, and risk mitigation.
• Maintain full knowledge of charter party forms, including rider clauses, laycan/laydays, ship's itinerary, last cargoes, load and discharge range, freight and demurrage rate, declarations, and terms, to ensure accurate and efficient voyage execution.
• Manage communication between charterers and shipowners throughout the voyage to ensure alignment on operational expectations.
• Plan and coordinate bunkering, appoint port agents, and arrange for disbursement account prefunding to support timely port calls.
• Ensure vessels arrive on time and are fully prepared for loading and discharge operations at designated terminals.
• Oversee the loading process to ensure cargo is stowed as agreed, with correct quantity and segregation, and that all documentation is accurate and complete.
• Ensure the issuance of the Bill of Lading or a valid Letter of Indemnity in accordance with contractual and legal requirements.
• Provide estimated time of arrival (ETA) updates and movement reports to charterers, internal stakeholders, and relevant authorities.
• Monitor freight invoicing and ensure timely follow-up on payments and financial reconciliations.
• Track the performance of time-chartered vessels and manage post-voyage claims, including off-hire, speed and consumption, and deviation claims.
• Review and confirm voyage-related costs and disbursements, ensuring accuracy and contractual compliance.
• Investigate and resolve claims from vessel owners related to demurrage, freight discrepancies, and cargo quality or quantity issues.
• Maintain detailed records of claims, settlements, and supporting documentation for audit and analysis.
• Ensure timely closure of voyage accounts and implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure all shipping and cargo operations comply with international maritime laws, local regulations, and HSSEQ standards.
• Conduct regular audits, inspections, and risk assessments to uphold operational integrity and safety.
• Stay informed of regulatory changes and proactively implement necessary adjustments to maintain compliance.
• Lead the negotiation and administration of shipping-related contracts, including charter parties and service agreements.
• Ensure all contractual obligations are clearly defined, enforceable, and aligned with company policies.
• Collaborate with legal and commercial teams to address disputes and ensure timely resolution.
• Identify and implement opportunities to reduce logistics costs and improve shipping performance.
• Benchmark operations against industry best practices and introduce innovations to enhance efficiency.
• Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain contingency plans to address potential disruptions in shipping and cargo operations.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure business continuity during emergencies or unforeseen events.
• Regularly review and update resiliency strategies to reflect evolving risks and operational realities.
• Lead recruitment, training, and development of personnel in chartering, operations, and claims functions.
• Foster a high-performance culture and ensure knowledge transfer across teams.
• Drive performance management, training, and succession planning, especially with regard to succession of Ugandans into senior roles
• Develop local talent and support national capacity-building priorities
• Promote a strong culture of compliance, ethics, and transparency

• In-depth knowledge of international shipping regulations, chartering practices, and logistics management.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing cross-functional teams across chartering, operations, and claims.
• Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of global crude oil markets and freight economics.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex contracts and influence key stakeholders in high-stakes environments.
• Expertise in crisis management and operational risk mitigation in international shipping contexts.
• Proficiency in logistics and shipping systems with a data-driven approach to performance optimization

• Bachelor's degree (Hons) in Maritime Studies, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
• A Master's degree in Maritime Studies, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is an added advantage
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant working experience in shipping and cargo operations within the oil and gas industry
• Proven track record in managing large-scale shipping operations is required
• Specialized training in Cargo operations is an added advantage
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams is an added advantage
• Should possess a record of impeccable integrity