ROBERT GRAY LOVE
Katy,TX
Summary
Energy industry procurement specialist and fleet manager concentrating in the marine sector with a focus on contract negotiations, fuel purchasing, supply chain logistics, and implementing cost-cutting measures. Twenty seven years of managerial experience in marine and energy sector related businesses. MBA and BSBA in Business Management and International Business.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
VP of Marine Logistics
Tradewinds Marine LLC
11.2024 - Current
- Responsible for all marine vessel logistics and fuel product loading operations for new cargo inquiries.
- Manage tanker spot voyage inquiries for clients and ensure vessels offered are the best fit for the route.
- Perform reviews of client’s current fuel logistics and identify aspects which could be further improved.
- Managed vessel operations to ensure compliance with safety regulations and industry standards.
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives through effective vendor negotiations and resource management strategies.
- Marine logistics firm specializing in fuel cargo transportation and vessel management services
Senior Fuels Trader
UET Marine LLC
10.2023 - 11.2024
- Responsible for all major business decisions relating to the implementation of the firm’s startup and daily operations servicing the offshore fuel market.
- Managed all operational and logistical aspects of the business operations including vessel logistics, cargo fuel sourcing, pricing negotiations for all fuel purchases and related sales.
- Established customer service improvements to allow the firm to stand out versus our oil major competitors.
- Performed in depth daily analysis of the energy markets, vessel movements, and fuel price forecasting in order to incorporate this information into our business strategy and market price quotes to the market.
- Implemented a detailed fuel quality program that exceeds industry standards.
- Created all of the firm’s legal documentation for terms and conditions of sale, addressed all government regulations, US Coast Guard requirements and handled all issues relating to contractual sales and claims.
- Lead role in the company’s marketing and outreach program and establishment of new clients.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align trading activities with overall business objectives.
- Monitored market trends and developed strategies to capitalize on potential opportunities.
- Offshore marine fuel bunker supplier to the US Gulf region servicing vessels specializing in MGO and VLSFO fuels.
Marine Fuels Trader
Gulf Coast Fuel Supply LLC
06.2021 - 10.2023
- Responsible for all marine bunker sales for the company in the US Gulf offshore market.
- Manage all credit risk for buyers, fuel cost hedging strategies, and fuel invoicing after delivery.
- Perform daily market research on offshore competition, vessel movements, and pending weather.
- Daily interaction with an established network of fuel buyers, traders, and vessel owners.
- Work closely with offshore delivery vessel on logistical issues, arranging for on time delivery and handling all Letters of Protest, fuel shortage claims, US Coast Guard compliance and fuel delivery safety issues.
- Developed risk assessment models to mitigate financial exposure during volatile market conditions.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers, securing favorable terms that contributed to overall profit margins.
- Streamlined reporting processes for daily trading activities, increasing accuracy and reducing turnaround time.
- Devised detailed hedge and trade strategies for cargo loadings and subsequent end user sales.
- Offshore marine fuel bunker supplier to the US Gulf region servicing oil tanker and cargo vessels.
Global Bunker Manager
AET Inc Limited
07.2010 - 06.2021
- Responsible for global fuel purchasing in North and South America, Europe, Mediterranean, West Africa and the Middle East regions for a fleet of over 80 tankers and VLCC vessels.
- Manage vessel bunker requirement and work closely with Chartering and Operations to find the best source of fuel for the vessels considering logistics, fuel quality, pricing and vessel itinerary.
- Detailed financial analysis to determine cost cutting opportunities, possible hedging options and contract negotiations with fuel majors to lower the overall pricing and reduce the amount of daily price fluctuation.
- Implemented a series of financial analysis and market pricing reports for Finance, Operations and Senior Management which allows for better forecasting and cost management.
- Established new fuel supply chains for fuel supply in Livorno, Italy and St. Croix US Virgin Islands.
- Implemented various fuel purchasing initiatives which resulted in savings of $4.5 million USD for the 2012 fiscal year, $3.4 million USD in 2013, $2.7 million USD in 2014, $3.2 million in 2015, $4.08 million in 2016, $5.2 million in 2017, $4.1 million in 2018, $3.2 million 2019, and $4.4 million 2020.
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and streamline processes.
- Implemented performance metrics to track team productivity and identify areas for improvement.
- Managed budgeting processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and resource allocation.
- Collaborated with senior management to drive organizational change and innovation initiatives.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Global leader in the petroleum shipping industry with a fleet of over 80 Aframax, VLCC and Panamax tankers.
Senior Managing Partner
Caribbean Fuelings, Inc.
10.2008 - 01.2010
- Responsible for development of petroleum sales in the Caribbean as well as international sales in major fuel markets such as Rotterdam and Houston.
- Established joint venture agreements with various petroleum suppliers and buyers to facilitate the sale of diesel fuel, jet fuel, and heavy bunker oils.
- Oversaw international sales contracts, client negotiations, banking procedures, and fraud prevention.
- Established and managed a business unit to handle shipping contracts and logistics for international sales.
- Directed strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery across multiple fuel distribution channels.
- Brokerage firm for international petroleum procurement and sales with a Caribbean focus.
Caribbean Operations Manager
Atlantic Petroleum
04.2006 - 09.2008
- Oversaw business development and managing the company’s fleet of three chemical tankers, which supplied fuel to regional power plants and desalination plants in the Caribbean.
- Negotiated sales contracts for sales in the newly developed markets of San Juan and St Croix.
- Revised accounting system to improve revenue management and implanted new financial controls.
- Managed bunkering scheduling and logistics for tanker operations as well as route planning.
- Responsible for coordination with US Coast Guard and port authorities regarding tanker logistics.
- Coordinated supply chain logistics, optimizing inventory management and reducing lead times.
- Implemented safety protocols, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and best practices.
- Private fuel company specializing in supplying petroleum products to the Caribbean region for power plants.
Fuel Commodity Manager
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
10.2000 - 04.2006
- Streamlined fuel purchasing procedures for international cruise line’s fleet of 33 vessels, which cut costs by an average of $55 million annually.
- Revised the accounting system for fuel purchasing, greatly improved fueling logistics, negotiated all purchasing contracts, and set up new supply chains for fuel bunkering operations.
- Responsible for all weekly fuel bunkering operations for 33 cruise vessels on a year round basis in 22 countries, which involved ports in the US, Canada, Caribbean, Central and South America, Baltic regions, Mediterranean, and the South Pacific.
- Established new supply chains in the Caribbean (St. Croix, San Juan and Jamaica) and Europe (Italy) for fuel bunker operations that saved in excess of $45 million annually in fuel costs.
- Extensive collaboration with the corporate accounting and treasury departments to manage expected increases in fuel costs through development of improved hedge fund strategies that were more accurate than prior models.
- Created and implemented an experimental fuel program consisted of using alternative fuels such as Light Cycle Oil (LCO), instead of diesel, which resulted in greater fuel efficiency, higher energy output, reduced emissions, and savings of $19.8M annually.
- Led cross-functional teams to streamline procurement processes, enhancing collaboration and communication across departments.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers, achieving favorable terms that aligned with organizational goals.
- Conducted regular performance reviews of suppliers to assess reliability and quality of goods delivered.
- Arranged for payment and maintained records of bids, orders, and all fuel related financial transactions.
- Played an instrumental role in achieving annual cost reduction targets through focused commodity management strategies.
- International cruise ship operator with a worldwide presence operating in the US, Caribbean, Europe and Far East.
Newbuilding Financial Analyst
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
08.1999 - 10.2000
- Responsible for extensive planning and international coordination for cruise ship construction in Turku, Finland, Papenburg, Germany and St. Nazaire France.
- Ensured the vessel building schedules were completed on time and under budget.
- Developed new procedures to better coordinate the supply chain for construction parts shipments to shipyards which resulted in lower costs and fewer international customs delays.
- Oversaw a complex planning schedule for key construction personnel involved in the construction process.
- Worked closely with Senior RCL management as well as shipyard owners on financial reporting, construction plan changes, and conflict resolution.
- Analyzed financial data to drive strategic decision-making and enhance budget forecasting accuracy.
- Developed comprehensive financial models to support project evaluations and investment analysis.
- Led budgeting process, ensuring alignment with corporate goals while optimizing resource allocation.
- International cruise ship operator with a worldwide presence operating in the US, Caribbean, Europe and Far East.
Assistant General Manager
Moran Towing Corporation
07.1998 - 08.1999
- Responsible for helping establish a new corporate branch of marine operations in the Port of Miami for a top tier marine firm.
- Developed all new client relationships and negotiated subsequent contracts.
- Managed all port operations, vessel scheduling, dispatching, safety inspections, hiring and management of crews, and compliance with US Coast Guard regulations.
- Developed an improved accounting system for the Miami branch.
- Nationally recognized company specializing in towing for cargo container ships in the Port of Miami.
Education
Master of Business Administration - International Business, Business Marketing
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL01.1998
Bachelor of Science - Business Marketing, Management
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC01.1995
Skills
- Marine Fuel Sales
- Hedging
- Fuel Pricing Analytics
- Forward Price Forecasting
- Import / Export Documentation
- Vessel Logistics
- Voyage Route Planning
- Ship to Ship Operations
- US Coast Guard Regulations
- Contract Negotiations / Sales
- Fuel Efficiency
- International Shipping
- Strategic Leadership
- LPG and LNG Shipping
- Fleet Management
- Vessel Maintenance
- Inspection and Quality Assurance
- Fleet Monitoring
- Crew Management
- Maritime Operations
- Operations and Logistics Management
- Scheduling
- Cost Reduction and Process Improvement
- Financial Analysis and Modeling
- Regulatory Compliance
- Customer Relationship Management
- Budget Planning
- Government Contract Bidding
Timeline
VP of Marine Logistics
Tradewinds Marine LLC
11.2024 - Current
Senior Fuels Trader
UET Marine LLC
10.2023 - 11.2024
Marine Fuels Trader
Gulf Coast Fuel Supply LLC
06.2021 - 10.2023
Global Bunker Manager
AET Inc Limited
07.2010 - 06.2021
Senior Managing Partner
Caribbean Fuelings, Inc.
10.2008 - 01.2010
Caribbean Operations Manager
Atlantic Petroleum
04.2006 - 09.2008
Fuel Commodity Manager
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
10.2000 - 04.2006
Newbuilding Financial Analyst
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
08.1999 - 10.2000
Assistant General Manager
Moran Towing Corporation
07.1998 - 08.1999
Bachelor of Science - Business Marketing, Management
Appalachian State University
Master of Business Administration - International Business, Business Marketing
University of Miami