Senior Cargo Operator - Trading & Shipping

At Ampol, we believe in the Power of Us - the extraordinary power of people to connect, act, and make a difference.  

As a leading energy company operating across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and from the United States, our work spans fuel supply, energy solutions, convenience retail, infrastructure, trading and shipping. Every role at Ampol plays a part in something bigger - powering progress for our customers, communities, and people.  

Your career here is yours to shape. We back our people with real opportunities, the tools to grow, and a culture that rewards ownership and initiative. Whether you’re deepening your expertise or taking on something new, we’ll support you to power a career that works for you.  

We’re building a workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued - because when people are free to be themselves, powerful things happen

About Trading & Shipping

Our purpose at Ampol is to power better journeys today and tomorrow. Our Trading and Shipping team is key to achieving this, not only supplying our customer’s needs today, but evolving as the energy transition takes place to supply our customers well into the future.

We take pride in our people and value innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. If you’re a professional committed to excellence, Ampol is looking for you.

About the role

As a Senior Cargo Operator, you will manage all operational aspects of Oil & Gas cargoes from load port to discharge. You will work closely with Trading, Shipping and other stakeholders to ensure cargoes are safely, efficiently and compliantly executed, while identifying opportunities to optimise commercial value.

You will ensure accurate and timely cargo information is communicated to relevant stakeholders, including Trading, third-party operators, Chartering, Marine Assurance, Shipping Operators and Terminal Schedulers.

Key Responsibilities

Cargo Operations: Manage the end-to-end operational execution of Oil & Gas cargoes from load port to discharge, including:

• Reviewing contracts and applicable terms and conditions.

• Nominating delivery dates, cargoes and volumes to counterparties.

• Appointing surveyors and shipping agents.

• Ensuring cargo quality and quantity meet purchase and sale requirements.

• Coordinating vessel and terminal clearances.

• Maintaining effective local stakeholder relationships.

• Obtaining and communicating operational updates.

• Monitoring voyage progression and resolving operational issues.

Manage multiple cargoes and contracts concurrently and provide operational coverage across Ampol’s Oil & Gas cargo portfolio when required.

Shipping Integration: Work closely with Chartering, Marine Assurance and Shipping Operators to align vessel timing, stowage plans, operational instructions and the resolution of shipping issues.

Commercial Value Optimisation: Partner with Traders and Charterers to identify and capture value from negotiated commercial terms. Provide timely operational feedback to Trading Desks, including potential scheduling constraints, pipeline imbalances and other factors that may affect commercial outcomes.

Cargo Planning and Scheduling: Contribute operational expertise to monthly cargo planning and scheduling processes, including assessing cargo-plan feasibility, providing feedback on load-port reliability and supporting the identification of suitable sourcing options.

Collaborate with Cargo Operators and Terminal Schedulers to manage timing and operational issues, including shipment delays and cargo-quality concerns.

Compliance and Documentation: Ensure each cargo meets all applicable compliance and documentation requirements, including:

• Letters of Credit and Parent Company Guarantees.

• Stowage, under-keel clearance and cargo-integrity requirements.

• Shipping and customs documentation.

• Local regulatory and terminal requirements.

Systems and Data Integrity: Maintain complete, accurate and timely Cargo Operations information across relevant systems, including Allegro, SAP, SharePoint and Outlook, to support Middle Office and Back Office workflows.

Risk Management: Proactively identify operational risks and potential disruptions, including weather events, vessel or terminal delays and cargo-quality issues. Develop and implement appropriate contingency and mitigation plans, escalating material risks when required.

Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement opportunities to improve operational processes, strengthen controls, reduce costs and streamline workflows. Contribute subject-matter expertise to business, system and process-improvement initiatives.

On-Call Support: Participate in the Cargo Operations on-call roster and respond to operational requirements outside standard business hours when required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Tertiary qualification in Engineering, Finance, Business or a related discipline, or relevant seagoing or cargo operations experience.

• Minimum seven years’ relevant operations or commercial experience within the Oil & Gas, petroleum trading or related industries.

• Proven experience managing end-to-end cargo operations using established operational processes and controls.

• Strong understanding of load-port and discharge-port operations, shipping, tanker operations and the broader Oil & Gas supply chain.

• Sound commercial judgement and understanding of the key drivers of operational and trading value.

• Knowledge of relevant competition, consumer-protection, customs and regulatory requirements in applicable jurisdictions.

• Voyage-management experience is advantageous.

• Biofuel operations experience is advantageous.

• Oil-storage operations and inventory-management experience is advantageous.

• Strong attention to detail and procedural discipline.

• Proven problem-solving and critical-thinking capability, including the ability to manage complex operational issues.

• Ability to prioritise multiple cargoes and respond effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment.

• Strong stakeholder-management, collaboration and written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to provide guidance, coaching and mentoring to new or junior Cargo Operators.

At Ampol, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We embrace and celebrate diversity in all its forms, recognizing that it makes our organization stronger. We encourage applications from people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We invite you to bring your whole self to Ampol.