Commercial Director

Date Posted: January 14, 2026

Reports To: President, Waterfront Shipping

Location: Vancouver, BC

This position leads Waterfront Shipping Limited’s Commercial team, which is responsible for both short term & long term vessel planning and chartering activities globally. The Commercial team focuses on managing the fleet by optimizing vessel planning, fleet composition, customer relationships and supplier strategy, thereby enabling Waterfront to achieve the lowest possible rates for the service levels required for all methanol shipments while also maximizing Waterfront’s profitability.

The incumbent will need to maintain a strong understanding of global liquid commodity flows and market dynamics, so that Waterfront can adjust our strategy and take advantage of market opportunities as they arise.

• Lead the development and implementation of commercial strategy for Waterfront, maximizing value, minimizing cost and ensuring security of tonnage supply to Methanex
• Manage fleet plan to provide flexibility to enable Methanex to take advantage of commercial opportunities leveraging on existing tonnage and additions to the fleet expansions, to enable sales development in new or expanding regions
• As senior management team member, collaborate with President and peers to build and develop Waterfront organization
• Review and update quarterly the Strategic Fleet plan as market conditions, sourcing and production changes for President’s approval; provide recommendations on changes to long term fleet composition
• Manage customers relationships and promote relationship building through leading marketing initiatives; ensure regular communications with each key Customer and Supplier, especially when issues arise
• Develop KPIs and monitor customer and supplier performance, fleet planning effectiveness, value creation initiatives
• Travel to multiple conferences internationally each year to represent Waterfront and meet with key Customer and Suppliers; other ad-hoc travel as required
• Expand and maintain network to gather market information and share internally
• Develop close contact with brokers and owners to ensure their full cooperation and assistance when required; review their performance with Chartering Managers
• Manage team of ~6 members – including workforce planning, hiring, managing performance, developing talent
• Lead team in continuously looking for opportunities to reduce costs on all ocean freight by reviewing KPIs and reports and making necessary adjustments to strategy if needed
• Identify and negotiate new Time Charter contracts and COA contracts (and renew if/when applicable) which align with the Strategic plan, per delegation of authority and contract approval process
• Lead the annual logistics budget process and develop monthly / quarterly reports
• Accountable for annual transfer pricing process for establishing/updating COA rates with Methanex
• Lead the rate study, review and approval process with MOL and Waterfront BOD to establish annual COA freight rates with Methanex
• Lead all backhaul market development related projects and studies; study and test new markets
• Represent Waterfront on projects and studies initiated by Global Supply Chain, Marketing regions and Corporate Development
• Ensure adherence, support, and continuous improvement of Responsible Care & Marine Assurance principles, contract clauses, initiatives, management system

• 15+ years’ experience in shipping / logistics, with an excellent understanding of how the shipping market works (the players, regulations, trends)
• Significant chartering and contract negotiation experience, providing solid base of maritime legal knowledge and charter party expertise
• Proven leadership experience managing high-performing multi-regional teams and developing people
• Strong understanding of the dynamics of a global commodity business, and keen interest in maintaining current market knowledge
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, including ability to negotiate with internal and external parties
• Disciplined analytical approach and solid understanding of financial theories
• University degree, preferably in an associated discipline (i.e. accounting, engineering, business administration, logistics/operations).

The expected hiring salary range for this position is CAD $195,000 – $245,000. The actual base salary offered is determined based on the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, and competencies and will consider internal equity.

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