Voyage Optimization Specialist

bp • Chicago, IL

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Our purpose is to bring together people, energy and markets to power and navigate a changing world. In a time of constant change and possibility we need new talent to pursue commercial opportunities, motivated by best-in-class insight and expertise. We’re always striving for more innovative digital solutions, sustainable outcomes and closer collaboration across our company and beyond, and you could be part of that too. Together we continue to grow as the world’s leading energy company! The Voyage Optimization Specialist plays a key supporting role in increasing voyage profitability across the shipping fleet through real‑time voyage optimization along with hands‑on bunker procurement. This role is responsible for optimizing the fleet in the US region, procuring bunkers and assisting bunker buyers, commercial leads, chartering, operations, and performance teams by: Identifying daily voyage optimization opportunities, Monitoring vessel performance and consumption, Supporting claims, off‑hire tracking, and voyage analysis. Procuring bunkers cost‑effectively, This is an execution‑focused role suited for individuals with career exposure to shipping operations/optimization and regional bunker buying. It offers broad commercial exposure and a pathway to future specialization in bunkers or commercial shipping optimization.

Requirements

• Experience working closely with vessel operators, masters, and fleet teams to optimize voyages, bunker intake, and forward voyage planning.
• Experience identifying freight losses, minimizing idle time, and handling commercial claims (demurrage, off‑hire, miscellaneous claims).
• Experience in marine fuel (bunkers) procurement, including execution of spot and prompt purchases across multiple ports or regions, with focus on North & South Americas.
• Working knowledge of global bunker markets, fuel pricing mechanisms, specifications (ISO 8217), and supplier landscape.
• Track record of monitoring supplier performance, running KPIs, and providing structured commercial feedback.
• Experience working with bunker price indices and assessments (e.g., Platts MOPS, Bunkerwire), including analysis of premiums, differentials, and time‑series data to support commercial decision‑making.
• Experience assessing term versus spot procurement strategies based on pricing, exposure, and operational requirements.
• Hands‑on experience handling bunker quality and quantity disputes, including negotiation of claims and settlements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in commercial shipping, voyage operations, chartering, or fleet performance roles with hands‑on exposure to live voyage management.
• Experience using IMOS or similar commercial voyage management systems.
• Recent experience working within a vessel‑owning organization or tanker pool as a bunker buyer or in operations.
• Understanding of charterparty bunker clauses and ability to advise Charterers to protect commercial position.
• Experience structuring or optimising term bunker contracts to balance price certainty, flexibility, and exposure management.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills, collaborating across technical, digital, commercial, and operational teams, as well as external partners and vendors.
• Solid understanding of compliance requirements, risk management practices, and governance frameworks relevant to commercial shipping operations.

Responsibilities

• Monitor daily vessel routing, speeds, consumption, weather, and voyage performance, highlighting deviations or inefficiencies.
• Participate in daily optimization huddles when required, providing inputs related to bunker planning and voyage performance.
• Track vessel performance benchmarks, identify underperformance, and coordinate corrective actions with Operations teams.
• Support preparation of performance and off‑hire claims by gathering data, reviewing logs, and coordinating documents with internal teams and owners.
• Assist with rebillable cost tracking at voyage level to improve clarity and recovery.
• Support post‑voyage analysis, including fuel variance assessments, bunker cost benchmarking, consumption trend reviews, and documentation of voyage findings.
• Maintain voyage logs, dashboards, and monthly reports, ensuring timely updates of key metrics and commercial performance indicators.
• Collaborate across Chartering, Operations, Performance, Digital, Technical teams, charterers, suppliers, and vendors to support consistent optimization practices and continuous improvement.
• Assist in testing and validating digital tools, dashboards, and analytics used for routing, consumption monitoring, and bunker planning.
• Complete competitive spot and prompt bunker purchases.
• Support and implement the bunker procurement process by gathering market indications, requesting and comparing supplier quotes, preparing comparative evaluations, and coordinating bunker delivery with suppliers, agents, and operations teams.
• Track daily bunker price movements, monitor market intelligence, and provide timely updates to support procurement decisions.
• Assist in planning and optimizing bunker stems for each voyage based on consumption profiles, routing, schedule, vessel performance, and commercial strategy.

Benefits

• This position is eligible for US Benefits – Core.
• This position offers paid vacation depending on your years of relevant industry experience and will range from 120 – 240 hours of vacation per year for full time employees (60 - 240 hours of vacation per year for part time employees).
• You will also be eligible for 9 paid holidays per year and 2 personal choice holidays.
• Bp has a parental leave policy as well, which offers up to 8 weeks’ paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child.
• We offer a reward package to enable your work to fit with your life. These offerings include a discretionary annual bonus program, long-term incentive program, and generous retirement benefits that include a 401k matching program. These benefits include a pension for eligible employee.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed