Senior Operations Manager

Role overview

This position sits within the Global Ocean Freight team and focuses on the daily management of dry bulk vessel voyages. The role acts as a key coordination point for internal ADM teams, destination teams, vessel owners, brokers, agents, cargo receivers, and other external partners. It covers end-to-end operational control of ocean freight activity for vessels and cargoes managed by ADM worldwide.

What you will do

• Run the day-to-day commercial operations for roughly 7 to 10 dry bulk vessels.
• Manage voyage execution from the time a fixture is agreed until the voyage is completed, including loading, discharge, documentation, freight settlement, and claims work.
• Coordinate between vessel owners, brokers, agents, cargo receivers, traders, chartering teams, and internal ADM stakeholders.
• Work closely with chartering, trade, and vessel command teams to prepare and align complex stowage plans.
• Prepare laytime calculations and support settlement of freight, demurrage, despatch, and related claims.
• Investigate, negotiate, and close complex disputes and claims.
• Track fleet performance and contribute to voyage optimization, including speed and fuel consumption analysis.
• Support bunker planning, bunker procurement, and actions to reduce voyage costs.
• Select and coordinate port agents and other service providers as required.
• Negotiate vendor terms, pricing, and commercial discounts where needed.
• Ensure fleet activities remain aligned with company policies and relevant maritime regulations.
• Take part in shipping initiatives and projects aimed at improving processes, lowering costs, reducing risk, and strengthening asset management.
• Create, update, and apply standard operating procedures that improve operational efficiency.
• Coach and guide trainees, junior operators, and other team members.
• Help allocate fleet responsibilities to vessel operators when senior management is unavailable.
• Be available for limited night and weekend support when urgent issues arise.

What the ideal candidate brings

The role calls for someone with deep dry bulk vessel operations experience, strong commercial judgment, and the ability to handle a fast-moving global workflow. Success in this position depends on analytical thinking, confident decision-making, problem-solving ability, and the skill to build strong working relationships across multiple stakeholder groups.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• At least 15 years of experience in dry bulk vessel operations is needed.
• Solid knowledge of maritime operations, voyage management, and industry rules and regulations.
• Prior exposure to voyage management systems such as IMOS or Softmar is preferred.
• Experience in bunker procurement, claims handling, laytime calculations, voyage settlement, and operational improvement is preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage complex operational issues and maintain effective stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, global environment.

Growth and culture

ADM offers challenging work, quick decision-making, and a high degree of personal accountability. The environment supports innovation, professional growth, and the chance to shape your own career path. The culture also emphasizes continuous learning, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

About ADM

ADM is a global leader in human and animal nutrition, agricultural supply chains, and sustainable industrial solutions. The company works across food security, health and well-being, plant-based innovation, and decarbonization efforts, helping customers address today’s and tomorrow’s nutritional and sustainability challenges.

Additional information

This role includes mentoring and development responsibilities, as well as participation in Global Ocean Freight projects focused on risk reduction, asset management, cost control, and operational efficiency.