Manager, Shipping & Agency Services

Tetra Maritime is a leading Nigerian ship owner and operator, providing comprehensive and tailor-made solutions across the oil and gas supply chain, including upstream, midstream, and downstream.

With a fleet of Nigerian-flagged vessels operating across the African continent, and a strategic partnership with Union Maritime, a UK-based ship owner with global acclaim, we are committed to delivering end-to-end logistics solutions to our clients.

Established in 2007 as Beta Shipping, we have evolved to become a premier provider of marine logistics solutions in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, striving to meet and exceed client expectations through the implementation of best practices.

Our vision is to be the premier destination for all-in-one marine logistics solutions in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, delivering optimal returns to all stakeholders while remaining socially responsible.

Role Summary:

TMS is seeking an experienced maritime professional to lead the global expansion of its agency business. This is a strategic and commercially focused role responsible for identifying new markets, establishing agency operations, developing client relationships, and growing TMS's service offering across key maritime hubs worldwide.

The successful candidate will be responsible for driving expansion into new territories, securing agency opportunities with shipowners, charterers, operators, traders, and offshore clients, while building and managing relationships with ports, terminals, local authorities, and strategic partners.

This position requires an experienced industry professional with a strong understanding of shipping agency operations, vessel husbandry, port services, and international shipping markets. The role will work closely with senior leadership to execute TMS's growth strategy and establish the company as a leading global agency provider.

The role can be based in Nigeria, London, or Athens, with extensive international travel and the expectation of spending significant time across key growth regions as the business expands.

Key Responsibilities

Business Growth & Market Expansion

• Develop and execute TMS's global agency growth strategy.
• Identify opportunities to establish agency operations in new ports, countries, and regions.
• Expand TMS's network through strategic partnerships, representative offices, and local entities.
• Develop new business opportunities with shipowners, charterers, operators, offshore contractors, and energy companies.
• Build a strong pipeline of agency, husbandry, crew change, logistics, and port service opportunities.

Commercial Development

• Drive revenue growth across all agency service lines.
• Lead commercial negotiations with clients and partners.
• Prepare proposals, service agreements, agency contracts, and commercial frameworks.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities across the wider Union Maritime Group.
• Monitor market trends, competitors, and emerging opportunities.

Agency Network Management

• Establish and oversee agency operations in new locations.
• Develop relationships with local agents, port authorities, terminals, customs officials, immigration authorities, and service providers.
• Ensure agency offices operate to the highest levels of service and compliance.
• Support operational teams in resolving complex customer and port-related matters.
• Implement best practices and standard operating procedures across the network.

Client Relationship Management

• Maintain senior relationships with key customers and stakeholders.
• Act as a strategic point of contact for major clients.
• Represent TMS at industry events, conferences, and client meetings globally.
• Promote the TMS brand and strengthen its market presence.

Strategic Leadership

• Work directly with executive management to identify growth opportunities and expansion priorities.
• Provide regular market intelligence and business development updates.
• Assist with acquisitions, joint ventures, and new market entry initiatives.
• Support recruitment and development of regional agency teams as the business grows.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• Minimum 10 years' experience within the shipping, maritime services, or port agency sector.
• Proven track record of developing and growing agency businesses across multiple regions.
• Strong understanding of vessel agency operations, husbandry services, crew logistics, port services, and vessel turnaround requirements.
• Established network of relationships within the shipping industry.
• Experience working with shipowners, operators, charterers, traders, offshore contractors, and government stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen with a demonstrated ability to win and manage business opportunities.
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Preferred Experience

• Previous leadership experience within a global shipping agency.
• Experience establishing new agency offices or entering new markets.
• Strong knowledge of African, European, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or Americas shipping markets.
• Experience managing multicultural teams and international business operations.

Personal Attributes

• Entrepreneurial and growth-oriented mindset.
• Highly self-motivated and capable of working independently.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Strong negotiation and commercial skills.
• Comfortable travelling extensively and operating across multiple regions.
• Able to represent TMS credibly with senior industry executives, government officials, and strategic partners.