UK - Cruise Manager

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Who We Are:

At Inchcape Shipping Services, our vision is to create a connected world where customers can trade successfully and make informed decisions in every port, everywhere. We achieve this by combining our worldwide infrastructure with local expertise, through our global network of more than 250 proprietary offices and a team of over 3,000 dedicated professionals. Our diverse customer base includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container, and bulk commodity sectors, as well as naval, government, and intergovernmental organisations.

Role Summary:

As Inchcape grows our presence in the UK cruise sector with several wins in 2024 and a solid pipeline of growth for the future, we have an exciting opportunity to join our team as UK Cruise Manager.

The role holder will lead the development of our cruise business, oversee the service delivery of our local port agency offices and act as a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for all port bookings, financial management and enquiries for Inchcape's cruise customers in the UK with scope to expand this to the wider North Europe region in time.

Whilst our core working hours are Monday to Friday, shipping is a 24-7 industry, and you will participate in a shared out of hours on-call service and there will be ad-hoc travel required to ports and business events.

Hours: Standard working week with evening, weekend and public holiday on call coverage and travel as business needs dictate
Contract type: Permanent/Full time
Location: This position can be based in any of our UK port offices (Middlesborough, Grimsby, Portsmouth, Southampton, Dartford, Sheerness, Milford Haven, Grangemouth)

In line with company policy, Inchcape does not provide visa sponsorship for candidates and cannot consider applicants who will require this now or in the future.

Key Accountabilities:

• Be the subject knowledge specialist for cruise in the UK, providing guidance and support to local Inchcape offices and partner agents, monitoring delivery of port calls to ensure best practice, be a source of market intelligence and be an active member of the cruise community, attending business functions and events and being an Inchcape brand ambassador.
• Manage the itinerary planning and port booking process for our existing cruise clients for their UK wide port deployments.
  Request, track and scrutinise port call cost estimates, pre-funding from principals and final disbursement accounts (invoices).
• Manage the input of tariffs, invoices and supporting documents into cruise line operating platforms such as MXP and IMS.
• Routinely travel to visit vessels across the UK when they are in port to build relationships, observe operations and identify, propose and drive initiatives to increase efficiency of operations, reduce costs and improve customer service delivery.
• Frequently travel to ports as part of the planning process for upcoming calls to meet with key stakeholders and ensure adequate preparation has been undertaken.
• Monitor local Inchcape port offices and partner agents to ensure that port, government authorities and vendors/suppliers are all kept fully up to date with plans and requirements for the respective port call.
• With the UK Country Manager and Global Cruise Sector Head, undertake regular visits to customers that have expressed interest in business with Inchcape and existing clients to strengthen relationships.

Candidate Requirements:

• Previous experience of port operations and/or port agency in a cruise focused role
• Driven and ambitious to further a career in the maritime sector in an operations management role
• Experience of working in a customer service facing role
• Have strong communication and leadership capacities with a hands-on attitude
• An effective planner with excellent time management skills
• The ability to multi-task in a fast-paced pressured environment
• A full UK Driving License
• Willing to work out-of-office hours (evening, weekends and public holidays) and to travel to ports to attend calls as business needs dictate

In return, we will offer you:

• A competitive salary including company car or car allowance
• 25 days annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employee discount scheme for retail/travel/leisure
• Discounted cinema tickets
• Life assurance cover
• Remote GP and second medical opinion service which gives you, and your family members that live in the same household, timely access to medical advice 24/7, 365 days a year
• Contributory company pension scheme
• Full Employee Assistance Programme including access to care support covering work, family, relationships, money and health
• Career development and progression opportunities, including travel to other Inchcape port locations across the UK
• Financial support to complete ICS Shipping qualifications
• Values Award celebration events
• Team building days

Plus, much more!

Why Inchcape Shipping Services?

We believe in building a diverse andhigh-performing workforce, that works together to provide our customers with the exceptional service they deserve. To reach the highest standards we depend on our people, their welfare, training and expertise. We realise the value of our staff and know that your unique experiences, skills and passions will help you to build a rich and rewarding career in our dynamic industry.

Our values are at the centre of everything we do and the successful candidatewill be expected to demonstrate and fully adopt these:

Global Perspective-we connect the world and see the bigger picture.
The Power of People -we rely on the strength of local agent knowledge and relationships.
Progress-we adopt new thinking and push for positive change in our industry.

Inchcape is an Equal Opportunities Employer - equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. Working in a diverse society, we recognise that our customers, colleagues, and contractors are central to our success.

Additional Information:

Appointment to this role will be subject to satisfactory references and possession of a valid Right to Work documentation depending upon your geographical location.

To protect the interests of all parties, Inchcape will not accept unsolicited or speculative resumes from recruitment agencies and will not be responsible for any fees associated with them.

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