Crude Oil Operator

Key Responsibilities

Trade Execution & Contract Fulfilment

• Execute crude oil purchase and sale contracts in full compliance with contractual terms, charter parties, Incoterms, and company procedures.

• Review and interpret contracts, nominations, blending specs, terminal restrictions, quality requirements and CP clauses.

• Communicate operational details promptly and accurately to refineries, terminals, agents, brokers, surveyors and counterparties.

Vessel & Cargo Operations

• Manage vessel nominations, pre-fixture and post-fixture activities for crude cargoes.

• Coordinate loading/discharge operations, ullage planning, stowage, heating, tank sequencing and pump-over arrangements.

• Monitor voyage progress, deviations, congestion, port restrictions and weather impacts to mitigate operational risks.

• Ensure compliance with crude assay requirements, quality parameters and off-spec resolution procedures.

Demurrage, P&L Defence & Cost Optimisation

• Minimise demurrage exposure through rigorous laytime management, early risk identification, and proactive mitigation.

• Analyse voyage performance, freight structures, port inefficiencies, and operational deviations impacting P&L.

• Validate and challenge freight invoices, demurrage statements, port costs and other operational expenses; negotiate discrepancies where required.

• Support traders with operational insights to maximise margin capture (routing, part-cargo optimisation, STS positioning, terminal selection, etc.).

Documentation, Systems & Compliance

• Prepare, review and process bills of lading, NOR/SOF, certificates of quality/quantity, ullage reports, LOIs, customs documents and LC paperwork.

• Maintain accurate operational data in systems such as IMOS, Veson, Endur, Allegro or equivalent platforms.

• Support credit, risk, finance and legal in ensuring accurate settlements and compliance with internal controls.

• Conduct sanctions, KYC and vessel-acceptability checks in line with HSSE and regulatory frameworks.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Act as the key operational point of contact for crude traders, freight desk, terminals, surveyors, shipowners, agents, port authorities and refineries.

• Liaise with internal departments — finance, risk, legal, demurrage, credit, scheduling and operations support — to ensure seamless deal execution.

• Facilitate strong communication between commercial teams and shipping functions to maximise operational excellence.

Logistics, Scheduling & Inventory

• Coordinate crude flows from production, terminal storage, pipelines, offshore loading systems and refineries.

• Manage floating storage operations, STS transfers and regional crude movement optimisation.

• Oversee month-end inventory reconciliation, stock reporting, exposure summaries and voyage scheduling forecasts.

Crisis Management & Issue Resolution

• Identify operational risks early and escalate appropriately.

• Resolve operational incidents including fouled tanks, off-spec cargo, terminal delays, pump-failures, berth congestion, piracy/security deviations, etc.

• Lead technical and commercial investigations for disputes, claims and quality issues