Job Description

Job Description

Senior Oil Operator

Location - London

An established and growing global energy trading company is seeking a highly skilled Senior Crude Oil Operator to join its London-based operations team. This is a critical front-line role ensuring the smooth, compliant, and cost-efficient execution of physical crude oil trades across global markets.

Working closely with traders, counterparties, terminals, shipowners, and finance teams, the Senior Operator will oversee all aspects of cargo movement from trade execution through to final delivery and settlement.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute and manage the end-to-end logistics of physical oil cargoes (FOB, CIF, DES, etc.).
• Liaise with internal traders, risk, legal, and finance departments to ensure accurate and timely documentation and reporting.
• Coordinate with counterparties, inspectors, vessel owners, and terminals to schedule and manage loading and discharge operations globally.
• Ensure compliance with all contractual terms, including incoterms, laytime, demurrage, and quality/quantity specs.
• Manage all post-deal operational activities, including issuing instructions, reviewing contracts, and handling claims and disputes.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of shipping regulations, sanctions, and market practices.
• Train and mentor junior operators where required and help build best-practice procedures.

Requirements

• Minimum 3+ years of experience in physical crude oil operations within a trading house, oil major, or shipping company.
• Strong knowledge of shipping documentation (BLs, LOIs, invoices, NORs, CPs) and incoterms.
• Excellent understanding of demurrage, laytime, and cargo loss/gain management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and trading/operations systems (e.g., ETRM systems).
• Exceptional communication and coordination skills with an ability to multitask under pressure.
• Detail-oriented with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Experience with West African, North Sea, or Middle Eastern crude grades is advantageous.
• Familiarity with sanctions and compliance procedures for global cargo movements.