UAE - Operations & Commercial Manager

Who We Are:

At Inchcape Shipping Services, our vision is to create a connected world where customers can trade successfully and make informed decisions in every port, everywhere. We achieve this by combining our worldwide infrastructure with local expertise, through our global network of more than 250 proprietary offices and a team of over 3,000 dedicated professionals. Our diverse customer base includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container, and bulk commodity sectors, as well as naval, government, and intergovernmental organisations.

Role Summary:

The Operations and Commercial Manager will be responsible for both operational and commercial excellence in support of Government Services, especially in the maritime defence sector. This dual-role includes driving operational excellence, strategic bid competitiveness, and contributing to cross-border coordination of government contracts. The role requires a high level of operational knowhow, commercial insight, data-driven decision-making, and availability across multiple time zones.

Contract: Permanent

Location: Dubai, UAE (Onsite)

In line with company policy, Inchcape does not provide visa sponsorship for candidates and cannot consider applicants who will require this now or in the future.

Please submit your application and CV in English.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Excellence

Support daily port operations and planning for government and naval contracts.

Monitor service delivery, resolving or escalating operational issues.

Coordinate with sub-agents, suppliers, port authorities, and government stakeholders across regions.

Commercial Strategy & Bid Support

Support bid analysis, pricing, and cost benchmarking for government maritime tenders.

Coordinate regional teams and suppliers to meet naval requirements.

Maintain competitor and operational data to support bidding and pricing decisions.

Team & Stakeholder Coordination

Collaborate with internal teams and vendors to improve operational readiness and supply chain efficiency.

Support improvements across KPIs, logistics, warehousing, and vendor management.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

Track bid success, service quality, and cost performance.

Report on operational performance, competitors, and market intelligence.

Candidate Requirements:

Degree-level qualification from a reputable institution.

10+ years of experience in maritime industry (mostly navy vessel operations) with exposure to various services delivered to vessels in the port.

5+ years of experience in handling Naval vessel operations at port.

Strong business acumen and understanding of government tendering and procurement processes.

Competent user of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and data analysis tools.

You will receive:

A diverse range of benefits, depending on your geographical location. At this instance, you will enjoy:

Life assurance

Healthcare

Competitive salary

Career development and progression opportunities

Values Award celebration events

Team building days

Why Inchcape Shipping Services?

We believe in building a diverse and high-performing workforce, that works together to provide our customers with the exceptional service they deserve. To reach the highest standards we depend on our people, their welfare, training, and expertise. We realise the value of our staff and know that your unique experiences, skills, and passions will help you to build a rich and rewarding career in our dynamic industry.

Our values are at the centre of everything we do, and the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate and fully adopt these:

Global Perspective - we connect the world and see the bigger picture.

The Power of People - we rely on the strength of local agent knowledge and relationships.

Progress - we adopt new thinking and push for positive change in our industry.

#WeAreInchcape

Inchcape is an Equal Opportunities Employer - equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. Working in a diverse society, we recognise that our customers, colleagues, and contractors are central to our success.

Additional Information:

Appointment to this role will be subject to satisfactory references and possession of a valid Right to Work documentation depending upon your geographical location.

To protect the interests of all parties, Inchcape will not accept unsolicited or speculative resumes from recruitment agencies and will not be responsible for any fees associated with them.

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