Marine Assurance Advisor

Saudi Aramco•Houston, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Aramco Trading Americas Marine Assurance Advisor plays a pivotal role in ensuring rigorous adherence to marine quality assurance standards in marine vetting, inspections, audits, and marine operations. This position contributes to developing and enhancing operating standards and procedures, conducting audits and inspections for compliance with quality standards across various vessels and supply points. The role utilizes marine expertise to support business operations, stays updated on industry best practices, and collaborates on analytical requirements and technology solutions for continual improvement within the Marine Quality Assurance Group.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, or related field.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Proficiency in relevant software and tools for data analysis and reporting.
Minimum 9 years of experience in marine operations or quality assurance roles.
Minimum of 5 years of sea time as an officer, or those who have served previously as Master or Chief Officer or Chief Engineer or Second Engineer on ocean-going tankers (LNG, LPG, Chemical, Crude, Products).
In-depth knowledge of maritime industry regulations and standards.
Experience conducting surveys, inspections, and audits of marine vessels.
Proficiency in generating and interpreting quality assurance metrics and reports.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to travel both domestically and internationally.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

Certification in quality management or marine auditing.
Familiarity with international quality assurance standards and regulations.
Multilingual proficiency for effective communication with diverse stakeholders.
Prior experience in a leadership or supervisory role within a marine quality assurance department.
Experience with risk assessment and mitigation strategies in maritime operations.
Knowledge of industry-specific software systems for quality management and data analysis.
Understanding of environmental and safety regulations relevant to marine operations.
Leadership abilities to effectively lead and mentor junior staff members.
Strong interpersonal skills for building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Experience in crisis management and emergency response planning for marine incidents.
Knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in marine quality assurance for continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the development and enhancement of operating standards and procedures for marine vetting, inspections, and audits, focusing on ensuring adherence to approved quality standards worldwide.
Conduct end-to-end desktop screening (vetting) and decision-making for the clearance process of Aramco Trading’s vessels, including tankers, vessels, tugs, and barges, as per Aramco Trading’s global marine quality assurance.
Conduct OCIMF or equivalent audits and reviews of counterparties, including but not limited to TMSA, MTMSA, STS SPSA, and ensure proper close-out of audit findings and recommendations.
Conduct Incident reviews to ensure that the root cause(s), corrective and preventive actions are correctly identified and implemented.
Conduct Port and Location assessments and subsequent approvals as applicable.
Conduct Ship to Ship operational reviews as part of the Global STS operations procedures.
Conduct Ship and Tug / Barge Inspections as required.
Provide out-of-hours vetting and emergency response support.
Generate Fleet Health index values based on vetting standards and provide actionable recommendations.
Prepare comprehensive reports on survey findings, inspections, and compliance status for management review, facilitating informed decision-making.
Invoicing for Marine audits & inspections for all US-based counterparties.
Provide additional marine quality assurance support as required by Service agreements.
Deliver training and guidance on marine quality assurance protocols and procedures to marine operations personnel.
Participate/assist in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) functions for the Aramco Trading Houston office.
Participate/assist in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) functions for the Aramco Trading Houston office.
Develop and implement training programs for ship inspection staff to ensure proficiency in quality assessment methodologies, fostering organization-wide understanding and implementation of quality standards.
Identify opportunities for improvement in marine quality assurance processes and procedures, collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement enhancements and drive continual improvement efforts.
Assist in identifying and mitigating risks associated with marine vetting & operations, collaborating with the Risk Department to develop strategies for managing and reducing operational risks.
Liaise with internal stakeholders, including Aramco trading global vetting teams, marine operations and freight trading teams, and management, to ensure alignment with quality assurance objectives.
Interface with external stakeholders, such as regulatory bodies and industry partners, to stay informed of industry standards and requirements, facilitating effective communication and collaboration.
Regular updates and coordination with marine freight trading & operations teams regarding quality assurance protocols and procedures.
Collaboration with other departments within the organization, and within Risk Management and Compliance, to align quality assurance efforts with broader organizational objectives.
Providing training sessions and guidance to internal stakeholders on quality assurance, best practices and compliance requirements.
Engaging with regulatory bodies and classification societies to stay informed of industry regulations and standards.
Communication with external vendors and suppliers regarding quality assurance requirements for equipment and services used in marine vetting and operations.
Interaction with industry partners and stakeholders to share best practices and lessons learned and collaborate on initiatives to improve overall maritime safety and quality standards.