Company Description
RLO Tankers is an established shipping company specialising in small tanker operations with a focus on marine fuel logistics. We operate in an international, highly regulated environment where compliance, operational excellence, and sustainability are key priorities. Team members work closely across departments and locations to support vessels, optimize supply chains, and deliver high-quality service. The organization offers a professional setting with opportunities to grow expertise in marine operations and procurement.
Role Description
The Marine Purchaser is a full-time, on-site role based in Central London, responsible for sourcing and procuring goods and services required for the company’s vessels and marine operations. On a day-to-day basis, this role identifies suppliers, requests and evaluates quotations, negotiates prices and terms, and issues purchase orders in line with internal policies and budgets.
The Marine Purchaser coordinates closely with vessel superintendents, technical teams, and operations staff to ensure timely delivery of spare parts, consumables, stores, and services to ships in various ports. The role involves monitoring order status, managing delivery schedules, resolving discrepancies with suppliers and freight forwarders, and maintaining accurate procurement records in relevant systems. This position also supports cost control initiatives, contributes to vendor performance reviews, and helps improve purchasing processes and contract management.
Qualifications
- Experience in marine or technical purchasing, preferably within the shipping or offshore industry, with a solid understanding of vessel operations and supply needs.
- Strong negotiation, supplier management, and cost-control abilities, including experience comparing quotes and optimizing total cost of ownership.
- Proficiency in using procurement or ERP systems, MS Office (especially Excel), and basic data analysis for tracking orders and spend.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively between vessels, internal teams, and external vendors.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize multiple orders and deadlines in a fast-paced, international environment.
- Working knowledge of marine industry regulations, classification requirements, and logistics processes (shipping, customs, and documentation) is an advantage.
- Relevant vocational training or a degree in supply chain, logistics, business, or a related field; marine or technical background is a plus.
- Fluency in written and spoken English and ideally Dutch; additional languages used in major shipping hubs are beneficial.