Entity:
Supply, Trading & Shipping
Job Family Group:
Shipping Group
Job Description:
The Bunker Buyer owns end-to-end marine fuel procurement, delivering competitive, reliable and compliant supply for the fleet. The role implements spot purchases, manages term agreements and uses market intelligence, demand and exposure analysis to optimize commercial outcomes and explore risk-management solutions. Working with vessels, Operations, technical teams, Charterers, suppliers and traders, the buyer optimizes bunker intake, manages supplier performance and claims, and advances procurement improvements and lower-carbon fuel opportunities within bp Group Control and Compliance requirements.
In This Role You Will:
- Implement competitive spot and prompt bunker purchases and implement and manage term supply solutions in line with business requirements and market conditions, including the evaluation of pricing structures, index linkages, premiums, critical issue mechanisms, and commercial optionality.
- Analyse bunker indices, forward curves, historical trends, premiums and supply dynamics across fuel grades and supply modes to guide purchasing and exposure management, and explain cost drivers, basis risk, index differentials and relevant market developments to internal collaborators.
- Assess term contract performance versus spot market benchmarks to ensure continued commercial competitiveness.
- Work closely with charterers, vessel operators and masters to optimize bunker intake and support forward voyage planning, ensuring safe, efficient and cost-effective fuel usage.
- Reconcile purchase orders, delivery documentation and invoices, resolve discrepancies and submit verified invoices for payment.
- Develop and implement bunker procurement strategies aligned with business and trading objectives, exploring structured products and alternative solutions to manage price volatility and exposure risk and deliver incremental value for bp.
- Provide accurate, timely forward demand data and exposure analysis to support optimal fuel purchasing for the fleet and wider bp Shipping activities.
- Monitor KPIs, evaluate bunker supplier performance and provide structured feedback to the business on suppliers, market conditions and industry changes.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external collaborators, offering guidance and support to ensure compliance and the most cost-effective fuel purchasing strategies.
- Manage bunker quality and quantity claims end-to-end, negotiating settlements and ensuring outcomes that protect bp’s commercial and operational interests.
- Advise Charterers on bunker-related clauses in charterparties to ensure bp’s contractual and commercial position is protected.
- Chip in to process improvement, digitalisation and wider business projects, including initiatives outside day-to-day responsibilities, applying relevant digital and market developments in bunker procurement.
- Proactively engage with bp sustainability objectives, working with internal and external customers to identify and advance opportunities for lower-carbon fuels and emissions reduction.
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of bunker markets, procedures, specifications and evolving industry regulations and standards.
- Represent bp in relevant industry bodies and forums when required.
- Conduct all activities in full compliance with bp Group Control and Compliance requirements.
Essential Experience & Job Requirements:
- Experience within a trading, shipping or integrated energy organization, with exposure to wider trading strategies and commercial optimization.
- Proven experience of 5 years in marine fuel (bunkers) procurement, including execution of spot and prompt purchases across multiple ports or regions.
- Proven experience structuring, negotiating and managing term bunker contracts, including index-linked pricing, premiums and delivery terms, and assessing term versus spot strategies to balance cost, price certainty, flexibility, exposure and operational requirements.
- Demonstrated experience working with bunker price indices and assessments (e.g. Platts MOPS, Bunker wire), including analysis of premiums, differentials and time-series data to support commercial decision-making.
- Strong working knowledge of global bunker markets, fuel pricing mechanisms, specifications (ISO 8217), and supplier landscape.
- Demonstrated experience working closely with vessel operators, masters and fleet teams to optimize bunker intake and support forward voyage planning.
- Experience developing and implementing bunker procurement strategies to manage price volatility and supply risk.
- Track record of managing supplier performance, monitoring KPIs and providing structured commercial feedback.
- Hands-on experience managing bunker quality and quantity disputes, including negotiation of claims and settlements.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to act as a commercial interface between operations, technical teams, chartering and external suppliers.
Desirable Criteria & Qualifications:
- Knowledge of, or experience with, structured products or alternative mechanisms used to manage bunker price exposure and risk.
- Exposure to lower-carbon marine fuels and shipping decarbonization initiatives.
- Prior experience in sourcing and negotiating LNG bunker supply agreements.
- Experience contributing to process improvement, digitalization or transformation initiatives within procurement or operations.
- Understanding of charterparty bunker clauses and ability to advise Charterers to protect commercial position.
- Familiarity with digital bunker procurement tools, data analytics or reporting platforms.
- Participation in industry bodies, forums or working groups related to bunkering or shipping.
- Experience providing informal leadership, coaching or support to less experienced colleagues.
- Awareness of emerging regulatory and market developments impacting marine fuels and emissions.
At bp, we provide the following environment and benefits to you
- A company culture where we respect our diverse and unified teams, where we are proud of our achievements and where fun and the demeanor of giving back to our environment are highly valued
- Possibility to join our social communities and networks
- Learning opportunities and other development opportunities to craft your career path
- Life and health insurance, medical care package and many other benefits!
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform crucial job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Travel Requirement
Up to 10% travel should be expected with this role
Relocation Assistance:
This role is not eligible for relocation
Remote Type:
This position is a hybrid of office/remote working
Skills:
Analytical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Ancillary cost management, Bunker buyer, Chartering, Coaching, Commercial Acumen, Communication, Customer service delivery excellence, Demurrage, Developing and implementing strategy, Listening, Marine assurance, Marine Operations, Marine systems and processes, Marine technical, Market Knowledge, Mentoring, Negotiating value, Operational Excellence, Partner relationship management, Problem Solving, Sentiment and Trends, Shipping/transport, Trading and scheduling operations {+ 4 more}
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Legal Disclaimer:
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics like race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us.
If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.
