Trading Operator

Holcim Trading & Shipping (HT&S) is the trading arm of Holcim Group, the world leader in innovative and sustainable building materials. Holcim Trading & Shipping (HT&S) is specialised in meeting the needs of customers and suppliers around the world through a unique portfolio of products and services provided from offices in Zurich, Singapore and Miami.

Holcim Trading & Shipping (HT&S) is a leading international trader and seaborne logistics operator who delivers, through a team of dedicated specialists, solutions for the seaborne import and export of raw materials and finished goods both to Holcim Group companies as well as to third party businesses. 

Role Overview

The Trading Operator is responsible for delivering seamless, effective service across the entire trade lifecycle, from contract conclusion to cash collection, while ensuring the optimal and efficient operation of the time-chartered vessel fleet.

This role combines commercial execution and operational management, focusing on:

• Executing trades administration (for bulk carriers, containers, and multimodal transportation) with business partners (customers, suppliers, ship owners/brokers).

• Ensuring all commitments (cargo, shipping, and multimodal transportation) are fulfilled and escalating potential performance issues to internal stakeholders (Traders, Shipping, Supply Chain, Legal, and Management).

• Managing day-to-day operations of time-charted vessels, including monitoring performance against charter party terms, optimizing transportation costs, and issuing voyage instructions.

• Ensuring integrity, timeliness, and quality of information flows, including accurate and timely recording in IMOS to facilitate proper Financial Closure and Performance Management.

• Anticipating, mitigating, and resolving trade and voyage incidents/risks under the guidance of the Trading and Chartering teams.

• The overall focus is on maximizing efficiency, ensuring operational readiness, and maintaining accurate records.

Main Responsibilities

Vessel Operations & Performance

• Manage daily operations and performance of time-chartered vessels, ensuring compliance with Charter Party terms.

• Prepare voyage instructions and oversee commercial contracts to optimize voyage results.

• Support Chartering Managers with voyage estimates, freight simulations, and optimization.

• Coordinate with vessel owners on underperformance, off-hire, and technical issues.

• Organize on-hire/off-hire and marine cargo surveys.

• Monitor weather routing and analyze voyage performance.

Trade Execution & Logistics

• Coordinate supply chain schedules and daily updates with suppliers, customers, and logistics partners.

• Ensure timely vessel nomination and acceptance with Chartering and Shipping teams.

• Manage shipping instructions, customs documentation, and required inspections.

• Optimize cargo capacity through vessel deadweight calculations.

• Review shipping documents and manage cargo-related claims.

Financial & Administrative Control

• Maintain accurate and timely records in IMOS, including vessel delivery/redelivery, bunker purchases and consumption, and port fee accruals.

• Manage month-end closing activities, ensuring accurate financial reporting and P&L validation.

• Coordinate with Accounting & Controlling to reconcile IMOS and SAP, including receivables, payables, vessel operations, and bunker costs.

• Initiate cash-in and cash-out transactions and ensure timely payments in coordination with Finance and Chartering teams.

• Coordinate port agent appointments through DIABOS and manage proforma and final disbursement accounts (PDAs/FDAs).

• Review port disbursement accounts against historical data to ensure competitive costs and accurate payments.

• Prepare operational reports, statistics, and financial updates for management, Traders, and internal stakeholders.

• Share relevant market intelligence gathered from customers and suppliers, and forward commercial inquiries to the appropriate Traders.

Risk, Claims, and Compliance

• Manage and resolve voyage-related disputes, claims, and operational issues.

• Prepare and monitor laytime calculations, freight invoices, charter hire statements, and cargo/freight claims.

• Ensure compliance with HT&S and Holcim Internal Control Standards (ICS), policies, and procedures.

• Coordinate with HS&E on incident reporting and ensure accurate records in iCare.

• Respond to emergencies, escalate critical incidents, and support crisis management activities.

• Identify, mitigate, and escalate trading and shipping risks to protect Holcim’s interests and reputation.

• Ensure adherence to the Operations Operating Model, internal controls, and segregation of duties.

PROFILE REQUIRED

Education: 

Degree/Diploma in Shipping and Maritime or Commercial degree in international trading, shipping, logistic, freight forwarding, or equivalent education/experience.

Experience: 

Minimum 3 - 5 years of working experience in trading, shipping, freight forwarding, and supply chain logistics and operations. (A minimum of 2 years in the related field is required).

Core Skills: 

• Strong proficiency in IMOS for voyage planning, P&L management, voyage instructions, and troubleshooting.

•   Solid knowledge of international seaborne trading, maritime regulations, and dry bulk operations, particularly Handy/Supramax vessels.

• Strong understanding of laytime calculations, Charter Parties, Bills of Lading, marine claims, and insurance.

• Knowledge of multimodal logistics, customs procedures, and shipping documentation, including DAP/DDP trades.

• Familiarity with trade finance instruments, including letters of credit, documentary collections, and payment terms.

• Good knowledge of bunker procurement, negotiation, and the IMSBC Code.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and risk management.

• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and remain resilient and effective in challenging environments.

Communication:

• Excellent English, written and spoken and mastery of at least 1 additional internationally representative language (e.g., Spanish, French, Mandarin, etc) is highly preferred.

Benefits

• Family Support: Subsidized child care and paid maternity/paternity leave
  
  

• Professional Growth: Company-sponsored training and professional development.
  
  

• Discounts and Perks: Subsidized meals, exclusive discounts, and company gifts for special occasions.
  
  

• Employee referral bonus

• Hybrid work contract

Holcim is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We support equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of race, national origin, gender, sexuality, disability, or age. 

Important Notice: Holcim recruiters only contact candidates via official @[holcim.com] email addresses. We do not use Gmail or any other non-Holcim domains to conduct recruitment processes. Please verify the sender address before responding."