LNG Commercial Cargo Operator

Where you fit in

SLMT (Shell LNG Marketing & Trading) is the global LNG marketing and trading arm of Shell where the Commercial Cargo Operator sits. Shell is the global leader in LNG industry with supply projects in both Atlantic/Asia Pacific basins and customers spread across Asia, Europe, Middle East and South America. The nature of this high value trade is evolving fast with the mix of long and short-term contracts.

Commercial Operations provides end to end commercial operations and logistical support to SLMT and is as such responsible on a day to day basis for the timely implementation and execution of commercial transactions to ensure that all obligations arising from the LNG contracts are met and carried out professionally. This requires working closely with traders to maximise the value-add for profitable operations and minimize the profit leakage from the flexibility and optionality embedded in the LNG contracts. Operations are also involved in the development of projects and new contracts.

The LNG operations team is responsible on a day to day basis to be able to implement and execute commercial deals and review standard LNG contracts. In addition to cargo operations, this incumbent may be expected to cover freight operations and be able to operate LNG ships under SLMT’s responsibility working closely with the chartering team.

What's the role?

As an LNG Commercial Freight Operator, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Ensure that LNG operations fully comply with Shell’s internal standards including compliance and HSSE, paying special attention to HSSE hazards and risks that may have impact on Shell’s license to operate.
• Display visible leadership and commitment to HSSE within the team. Engage with external partners to echo and reinforce our strong focus on HSSE.
• Ensure that all commercial and operational obligations/nominations arising from the contracts are carried out, and that any necessary requirements are complied with.
• Deal with cargo/freight counterparties and terminals on a regular basis regarding all pre and post deal activities.
• Appoint independent inspectors and expeditors and be able to investigate matters relating to LNG quality.
• Ensure that all operational information is entered timely and accurately into trading systems.
• Execute timely cargo invoicing, reconciliations and clearances of accruals for both external and internal deals.
• Liaise with counterparts and support the team to ensure smooth operations, avoid delays and minimise demurrage costs.
• Multi-task on priorities and think on your feet to deal with contractual problems ensuring that they are managed professionally and optimally for the trading business.
• Specifically seek to add value by exercising embedded commercial and logistical deal options and be pro-active with problem solving.
• Support commercial colleagues on the feasibility of proposed contractual arrangements for new projects, new contracts and spot cargoes.
• Agree supply schedules with third parties and calculate cargo pricing through understanding the mechanisms and indices employed.
• Identify and exploit synergies with other parts of Shell Trading.
• Support short term initiatives to continuously improve the efficiency of all aspects of the commercial operations.
• Engage in highly complicated contract mechanisms for reconciliations involving large datasets to be completed in a timely fashion.
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders, counterparties and service providers e.g. suppliers and customers, surveyors, and regulatory bodies.
• Actively engage and support the global freight and cargo operations team across the other hubs to ensure the process alignment, business continuity and commercial added value.
• Pro-actively close out operational related disputes or issues with external and internal counterparts.
• Engage with external parties (outside of Shell) to gather best practices, digital solutions and exchangeable learnings.
• Support LNG Ops and SLMT digitisation strategy in close liaison with the Project Lead. Drive continuous improvements and automation.
• The operator will handle global 24/7 trading activities and whilst colleagues are available in other time zones, the operator is expected to respond flexibly to requests outside of normal office hours.

What we need from you

Leadership Competencies

• Foster a positive work environment and lead by example even in challenging circumstances. Shows care for colleagues.
• Act with personal integrity, be guided by personal values and beliefs.
• Resilient under pressure and ability to manage own well-being with consideration for others.
• Strong sense of initiative to independently seek out information.
• Display a learner mindset and challenge commercial decisions where applicable.
• Make decisions under time pressure based on best available information.
• Able to engage, listen and understand perspectives whilst providing effective feedback to peers and management.
• Impeccable work ethic with exceptional work standards and the desire to learn and grow through experiences.
• Proven track record of building trust among peers and stakeholders.
• Ability to understand thought and incorporate different views in decision making.

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to identify areas of operational and commercial risk in new and existing LNG and LNG freight agreements, with a track record of successfully implementing changes to limit risk or increase optionality.
• Track record of continuous improvement and be able to identify and implement solutions to ruthlessly eliminate complexity and waste in terms of processes.
• Ability to identify risk and opportunity in complex operational circumstances.
• Ability to leverage functional support and provide high quality options and opinions to commercial stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze business challenges and formulate digital solutions using innovative technology.
• Able to gather and manage large data sets from different sources with complex relationships, streamline, develop reports and critically analyse scenarios to determine best action and support decision making.
• Basic to advance understanding of Microsoft Power platform (Power BI, Power Query, Power Automate and Power Apps) will be a plus.

Experience in commercial operations (preferably LNG) will be a strong advantage. A high level of fluency in English, both written and spoken, is required.

If you don't see yourself fully reflected in every job requirement listed on the posting above, we still encourage you to reach out and apply. Research has shown that not everyone often applies when they do not feel 100% qualified. We are committed to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and diverse company and we strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, and life experiences to apply. We look forward to receiving your application.