Senior Trade Execution & Vessel Operations Specialist:
Location: Bogotá or Cali, Colombia (preferred) | Open to Miami or Kansas City
Industry: Global Agri-Commodities (Bulk Grains & Veg Oils)
Type: Full-time | Hybrid
About the Opportunity -
A fast-growing global trading platform is seeking a seasoned operator-executor hybrid — someone equally at home managing vessel logistics as they are navigating the fine print of trade contracts. You’ll be joining a lean but ambitious team building a business capable of competing with the industry’s most established players.
If you thrive where operations meet commercial strategy, this role is for you!
What You’ll Do -
As the Senior Trade Execution & Vessel Operations Specialist, you’ll be responsible for end-to-end commercial execution of bulk grain and veg oil shipments, managing both vessel operations and trade documentation from contract to delivery.
You’ll:
- Oversee the full operational lifecycle of chartered bulk and tanker vessels (from nomination to final discharge).
- Manage import/export documentation, Letters of Credit, and compliance with GAFTA, NAEGA, NOPA, FOSFA and Incoterms.
- Coordinate closely with chartering, trading, and logistics teams to ensure on-time and on-spec delivery.
- Lead communication with shipowners, agents, surveyors, and port operators globally.
- Prepare, issue, and reconcile all shipment documentation — including BLs, phytosanitary, COO, COA, and certificates of quality.
- Manage laytime, demurrage, and despatch calculations, ensuring financial accuracy and minimising exposure.
- Monitor vessel performance, optimise voyage planning, and troubleshoot issues in real time.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to refine processes as the business scales, embedding operational discipline and efficiency.
- Contribute to the company’s growth strategy in vegetable oils, including expanding tanker shipment operations.
Who You Are?
You are an agile, hands-on operator who understands the complexities of global commodity trade execution and vessel logistics. You’ve probably worked for one of the majors — or with them — and are ready to take ownership in a more entrepreneurial environment.
You bring:
- 7+ years of experience in bulk vessel shipment execution, preferably in grains, oilseeds, or veg oils.
- Solid exposure to tanker operations (veg oils or liquid bulk).
- Proven ability to manage chartered vessels, import/export flows, and trade documentation.
- Deep familiarity with GAFTA, NAEGA, FOSFA, NOPA, and Incoterms (or the ability to ramp up fast).
- Strong understanding of letters of credit, demurrage claims, and commercial finance flows.
- Excellent communication skills across multicultural teams and time zones.
- Fluency in English and Spanish (Portuguese a plus).
- A bias for action, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Why This Role Is Different?
- You’ll help shape a next-generation trading organisation — agile, ethical, and global from the start.
- You’ll work across both trade execution and vessel operations, gaining exposure to the full commercial chain.
- You’ll join at a pivotal time, when each operational improvement has a direct impact on business growth.
- The role offers strong visibility, autonomy, and potential for regional leadership as the platform continues to expand.
This is a world-class position!
I'd love to hear from you.
