Head of Bunker Shipping & Mining

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Head of Bunker to lead and manage the company's bunker procurement, planning, supply, and cost-control activities across its shipping and mining-related operations.

The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of marine fuel procurement, bunker trading, vessel operations, fuel quality, supplier management, and commercial negotiations, with proven experience supporting tug & barge, bulk carrier, and mining/coal transportation operations.

This position will play a key role in ensuring reliable fuel availability, competitive bunker costs, effective supplier relationships, and strong control over fuel consumption and operational expenditure.

Key Responsibilities

Bunker Procurement & Strategy

• Develop and execute the company's overall bunker procurement strategy for the fleet and related operations.
• Manage the procurement of marine fuel, including MGO, MFO, VLSFO, and other applicable marine fuels.
• Monitor bunker requirements based on vessel schedules, voyage plans, fleet deployment, and operational forecasts.
• Negotiate bunker prices, payment terms, credit facilities, and commercial conditions with suppliers.
• Develop competitive sourcing strategies to optimize bunker purchasing costs.
• Monitor global and regional bunker price movements and identify favorable purchasing opportunities.
• Establish and maintain relationships with reputable bunker suppliers, traders, and physical providers.
  
  

Fleet Bunker Planning

• Coordinate closely with Operations, Commercial, Technical, and Finance teams to forecast and manage vessel fuel requirements.
• Develop bunker plans based on vessel routes, estimated consumption, port availability, and voyage schedules.
• Ensure timely bunker delivery to avoid vessel delays or operational disruption.
• Review vessel fuel consumption against budget, voyage estimates, and historical performance.
• Identify abnormal consumption patterns and coordinate with relevant departments for investigation.
• Optimize bunker purchasing locations based on price, availability, vessel schedule, and operational requirements.
  
  

Shipping & Mining Operations

• Support bunker requirements for tug & barge, bulk carrier, offshore, and other vessels involved in shipping and mining-related transportation.
• Understand fuel requirements associated with coal transportation, barging, transshipment, and mine-to-port logistics.
• Coordinate bunker planning with mining production schedules and vessel deployment.
• Ensure adequate fuel availability for vessels operating in remote mining and marine locations.
• Develop contingency plans for potential fuel supply disruptions, weather conditions, port restrictions, and unexpected changes in vessel schedules.
  
  

Cost Control & Optimization

• Monitor total bunker expenditure and identify opportunities for cost reduction and operational efficiency.
• Analyze bunker prices, consumption, supplier quotations, and purchasing performance.
• Establish and monitor bunker budgets and forecasts.
• Compare actual fuel consumption against planned consumption and investigate significant variances.
• Develop regular reports covering bunker price trends, purchasing performance, fuel consumption, and cost savings.
• Work with Finance to ensure accurate invoice verification, reconciliation, and payment processes.
  
  

Supplier & Vendor Management

• Build and maintain a reliable network of bunker suppliers, traders, physical providers, and fuel service companies.
• Conduct supplier evaluation based on price competitiveness, quality, reliability, credit terms, and service performance.
• Negotiate commercial agreements and framework arrangements with strategic suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve issues related to delivery, quality, quantity, documentation, and invoicing.
• Maintain appropriate supplier diversification to reduce dependency and supply-chain risk.
  
  

Bunker Quality & Quantity Control

• Ensure bunker deliveries comply with applicable quality specifications and contractual requirements.
• Coordinate bunker sampling, testing, documentation, and quality verification where required.
• Review bunker delivery notes, quantity measurements, and supporting documentation.
• Investigate discrepancies between ordered, delivered, and consumed quantities.
• Coordinate with vessel Masters, Chief Engineers, surveyors, suppliers, and relevant third parties regarding bunker quantity or quality disputes.
• Support the investigation and resolution of off-specification fuel and bunker-related claims.
  
  

Risk Management & Compliance

• Establish appropriate controls to minimize bunker procurement, pricing, quality, quantity, and supply risks.
• Ensure bunker purchasing activities comply with company policies, contractual requirements, and applicable maritime regulations.
• Monitor potential risks associated with supplier credit, fuel quality, delivery locations, and market volatility.
• Establish contingency plans for critical fuel supply requirements.
• Maintain proper documentation and audit trails for bunker procurement transactions.
  
  

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop the bunker/procurement team.
• Establish clear processes, responsibilities, approval mechanisms, and performance standards.
• Develop team capabilities in bunker procurement, market analysis, negotiation, and fuel cost management.
• Coordinate effectively with Operations, Commercial, Technical, Crewing, Finance, and senior management.
• Ensure timely communication of bunker requirements, market developments, risks, and purchasing decisions.
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Maritime, Shipping, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience in bunker procurement, marine fuel, shipping operations, maritime procurement, or related industries.
• At least 3–5 years in a managerial or leadership position.
• Strong understanding of marine fuel procurement and bunker operations.
• Proven experience negotiating bunker prices and commercial agreements.
• Strong network with bunker suppliers, traders, physical providers, and maritime service companies.
• Experience supporting tug & barge, bulk carrier, coal transportation, or mining-related shipping operations is highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of vessel fuel consumption, voyage requirements, and marine fuel specifications.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, commercial, and financial skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication capabilities.
• Good command of English and Bahasa Indonesia, both written and spoken.
• Willing to travel to vessels, ports, terminals, and operational sites when required.