Shipping & Logistics Manager

About:

The Rolex SailGP Championship is the most exciting racing on water, where anything can happen in short, adrenaline-fueled battles between national teams at iconic stadium destinations worldwide. Top athletes fly in identical high-tech F50 catamarans faster than the wind, at speeds approaching 60 mph. Founded in 2018, SailGP is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and entertainment properties, now in its fifth season.

SailGP is a global organisation with defined values that shape the culture of its team – deliver quality, break boundaries, make an impact, stand together and strike a balance.

Summary

The SailGP Shipping & Logistics manager is responsible for supporting the Director of Logistics across the series. eManaging their team to ensure the timely execution of the required logistical tasks centrally and on event. Working closely with SailGP’s Logistics partner – DP World, regional teams and local service providers to ensure the necessary level of service and delivery is achieved.

Working closely with the logistics team, Interim Vessel Team the logistics & shipping manager will help develop comprehensive detailed plans for the season and future seasons ensuring efficient and cost-effective solutions to meet the demands of the championship.

Key Responsibilities

• Global Freight & Asset Movement: Manage the end-to-end multimodal shipping lifecycle (sea, air, road) for all championship assets, ensuring safe, seamless transit across all global destinations.
• Partner & Port Liaison (DP World): Serve as the primary operational lead with DP World and local port authorities to optimise routes, resolve real-time transit disruptions, and control freight budgets.
• Vessel Stowage Planning: Partner with vessel agents to execute master stowage plans—ensuring containers, specialized cradles, and loose freight are positioned for optimal space, weight distribution, and stability.
• Port Operations & Scheduling: Map and execute load/discharge schedules tailored to port, tidal, and geographic constraints, synchronizing quayside activities to meet tight, non-negotiable event windows.
• Dockside SOP Ownership: Own and enforce dockside Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring operational safety and strict compliance across all on-site teams.
• Cargo Securing & Sea-Fastening: Oversee cargo securing, sea-fastening mechanisms, cargo surveys, and load-master reports to protect assets against heavy-sea transit conditions.
• Contractor & Stevedore Governance: Direct and supervise third-party stevedores, longshoremen, and rigging crews in every port, ensuring SailGP handling standards are strictly maintained.
• Sequencing & Inventory Control: Oversee strict container loading, dispatch, and unloading sequences to align precisely with fast-paced race village build and de-rig timelines.
• Customs & Compliance: Partner with the Compliance Lead to manage international shipping documentation, including ATA Carnets, Bills of Lading, customs declarations, and venue permits.
• On-Site Quayside Leadership: Deploy globally to lead quayside crews (crane operators, forklift drivers, technical hands) during build and pack-down phases, ensuring turnaround deadlines are met to avoid port demurrage costs.

General Responsibilities

• Heavy Lift Operations: Coordinate complex, tandem, and high-value critical lifts (e.g., wing sails, platforms, and chase boats) in direct partnership with local crane operators and the Vessel Operations Director.
• Vessel & Ship’s Crew Interface: Serve as the primary operational conduit to ship Captains and Chief Officers regarding deck space allocation, gear usage, and ballasting requirements.
• Operational & Season Planning: Drive daily, seasonal, and long-term logistics planning, creating detailed project plans, presentations, and reports to align operations with league goals.
• Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the key logistics link between SailGP internal teams (Tech, Infrastructure, Operations) and primary partners (DP World) to ensure seamless communication and delivery.
• Risk Management & Compliance: Lead risk management for the Logistics department, working with the Risk team to maintain up-to-date procedures and mitigate operational risk across all events.
• Local & Specialist Transport Logistics: Direct traffic planning, load schedules, local haulers, barge movements, and technical unloading for specialist transport assets.
• Courier & Air Freight Distribution: Oversee courier and airfreight operations, managing end-to-end distribution, tracking, and documentation.
• On-Site Contractor Management: Supervise and coordinate on-site suppliers, contractors, and transport teams during live event setups and pack-downs.
• Administrative & Director Support: Support the Logistics Director with shipping documentation, department administration, and general operational priorities as required

Process Optimisation & Improvement

• Evaluate existing workflows and identify opportunities for simplification and efficiency.
• Lead the adoption of technology and tools, such as Monday.com, to streamline project management and resource allocation.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging feedback and creative problem-solving.

Resource & Infrastructure Management

• Ensure optimal allocation of resources across departments and projects, balancing priorities and capacity.
• Oversee the management and maintenance of the league assets – containers and their contents.
• Build and maintain a preferred supplier network to ensure consistency and cost-effectiveness working closely with procurement

Health, Safety, & Compliance

• Champion health and safety across all in-house and on-site activities, embedding a culture of awareness and compliance.
• Manage, review and approve Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) for projects – IOSH
• Stay ahead of regulatory requirements and industry best practices to ensure full compliance working with the Risk team.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Work closely with internal teams to align operations with project needs.
• Act as a trusted partner for external stakeholders, ensuring smooth collaboration with suppliers, freelancers, and clients.

Financial Oversight

• Compile and manage operational budgets, monitor expenses, and identify opportunities for cost savings working closely with the Director of Logistics, procurement department and Finance team
• Ensure alignment with the Director of Logistics to forecast and track operational expenditures.

General

• Role models SailGP Values and pioneers a positive culture
• Leads by example and demonstrates their commitment to diversity and inclusion through their words and actions
• Challenges the status quo, embracing a mindset of continuous improvement and evolution propagating this with their teams
• Encourage and empower the delivery of work that will leave an impact on SailGP and align with Better Sport, Better Planet
• Translates SailGP’s strategic objectives into SMARTER objectives and goals for their teams enabling, empowering and coaching them to deliver
• Engage in high level thinking to drive the team and SailGP forward influencing others in the process
• Exercise key problem solving skills and serve as advisor to multiple areas of the business
• Strategise constructively with key stakeholders and team managers to work towards the bigger picture
• Embraces the power of feedback, recognising its importance in building high performing teams and evolution for SailGP
• Commercially impactful, assessing stakeholder areas and considers all variables to form commercial decisions

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: Minimum of 5–7 years of proven experience in international shipping management, heavy freight routing, or global event logistics (experience in major sports tours, Formula 1, concert touring, or marine logistics is highly advantageous).
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of international maritime shipping practices, global customs regulations, import/export frameworks, and handling of fragile, specialized components.
• Technical Savvy: High proficiency in global supply chain tracking software, inventory management tools, and project management applications (e.g., Google Workspace).
• Pressure Management: Exceptional problem-solving skills with a proven track record of managing tight deadlines and multi-continent supply chain delays under intense pressure.
• Communication: Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills to manage diverse international suppliers, stakeholders, and local multi-cultural crews.
• Travel Readiness: Willingness and capability to travel extensively across five continents to support on-site event deliveries throughout the racing season.

Location:

Based in Southampton. Overseas travel in-line with the Championship calendar 13 events per season currently due to increase season on season is also required for event delivery.

SailGP is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion.