Charterer

Function

As a Shipping Freight Broker, you form the link between vessels, quays, suppliers, transport partners and customers. You oversee the entire process: from price negotiation and planning to loading and unloading operations.:

• The daily planning of supply, loading and unloading moments rests with you. You coordinate with the partner for transport and crane operations, monitor progress and intervene when timing or availability comes under pressure.
• You negotiate freight rates with freight forwarders for material transport over inland waterways and closely monitor the agreed rates. In doing so, you take account of market developments, sailing areas and operational conditions.
• In addition to commercial follow-up, you have functional oversight of the freight forwarders involved. You manage the planning and maintenance of the company's own inland vessel, including coordination with the permanent skipper.
• Accurate administration supports every decision: you check measurement certificates, purchase and sales invoices, approve invoices, draw up sales invoices and maintain the monthly quay books.
• To keep the financial monitoring complete, you calculate the gas oil and low-water surcharge on a fortnightly basis and accurately process the relevant data in the administration.
• In the event of damage, contamination or other deviations to a cargo, you objectively map the situation. You involve the appropriate parties, such as the insurer, supplier or competent authorities, and work towards a suitable solution.
• You monitor the legal requirements for cargoes and vessels, identify risks in a timely manner and provide administrative support to the commercial manager of the sand and gravel division. Based in Schoten, you work within an organisation that produces and delivers concrete and building materials, with its own transport activities and its own inland vessel.

Profile

Who are we looking for for this vacancy?

• You hold a bachelor's degree in logistics, transport, nautical sciences or business administration, or you have built up equivalent experience within inland shipping. For this role, 3 to 5 years of relevant experience is a solid foundation.
• Knowledge of the inland waterway market, sailing areas and the ARA region helps you make correct decisions quickly. Experience in dispatching, chartering or transport planning is particularly relevant.
• You use Dutch and English fluently in your day-to-day contacts. German is a strong asset; French is a welcome bonus, particularly for communication with freight forwarders and partners from different regions. Above all, your willingness to actively speak languages is important.
• You combine commercial persuasiveness with numerical insight. Negotiating freight rates, surcharges and conditions requires a sharp eye as well as the ability to maintain relationships professionally.
• You work accurately with Word and Excel, take ownership of your files and remain calm when schedules change quickly. As a planner, you are a central point of contact, so clear communication, initiative and a practical approach to problem-solving make all the difference.

Organisation

You will join a renowned company specialising in the production and supply of concrete and building materials. They have several departments. In Schoten, they have a large production centre, as well as their own transport fleet and an inland vessel at their disposal.

Offer

What can you expect from this challenging vacancy?

• A gross monthly salary of approximately €3,500 to €4,500, tailored to your relevant experience and knowledge of inland waterway transport.
• Meal vouchers of €10 per day worked, as a supplement to your salary package.
• A full-time working week of 40 hours with 12 ADV days. Your start time, depending on the operational planning, is between 06:00 and 08:00.
• An autonomous role with direct contact with the commercial manager and a visible impact on supply, planning and commercial results.
• You work around your own inland vessel with a permanent skipper and are also responsible for transports for external manufacturers. This gives you a broad view of the market and a great variety of contacts.
• A varied working environment within a people-oriented organisation with multiple departments, where your expertise can grow through daily responsibility and close collaboration with operational and commercial colleagues.

Interested in this vacancy for Freight Broker Shipping? Apply and discuss with us how your experience can contribute to smooth inland waterway planning.