Chief Operating Officer (COO)

NES Fircroft is a leading global workforce solutions provider specializing in engineering and technical talent across the energy, infrastructure, industrial, and marine sectors.
Our client is seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the operations of a world-class multipurpose port and shorebase facility on the West Bank of Demerara, Guyana. This is a permanent, expatriate, full-time, onsite role reporting to the CEO. The COO will provide strategic and operational leadership across port operations, marine services, terminal activities, and oil & gas shorebase logistics while ensuring world-class safety, operational performance, and regulatory compliance.
This position requires a hands-on executive who can build and lead a high-performing organization that integrates expatriate specialists with a local Guyanese workforce, while driving operational excellence, developing local talent, and supporting long-term business growth.

Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership

• Oversee the integration of port, terminal, marine, yard, cargo, warehousing, and shorebase operations to support both commercial and offshore energy customers.
• Coordinate vessel movements, cargo receipt and dispatch, load/offload activities, yard and laydown operations, warehousing, and offshore supply-chain requirements.
• Establish and maintain strong operating relationships with oil & gas operators, offshore contractors, vessel owners, shipping lines, government authorities, and other key stakeholders.
• Provide overall leadership for all port and terminal operations, including general cargo handling, vessel scheduling and berth management, yard and gate operations, warehousing and laydown yards, oil & gas shorebase logistics, tubular/OCTG handling, and waste management and backload operations.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operations that meet client service expectations and international HSE standards.
• Optimize berth utilization, vessel scheduling, cargo throughput, and terminal capacity.
• Maintain compliance with ISPS Code, ISO standards, and other applicable certifications.
• Improve operational efficiency by reducing vessel and truck turnaround times, minimizing congestion, and maximizing asset utilization.
• Ensure 24/7 operational readiness, including emergency response and business continuity planning.
• Oversee maintenance programs and ensure operational assets remain fully available and reliable.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build, lead, and develop a cohesive operational organization comprising both expatriate specialists and local Guyanese employees.
• Develop workforce capability through structured training, mentorship, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, workforce planning, and employee retention strategies.
• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure consistent implementation of HSE policies across all operations.
• Establish operational KPIs and performance metrics to drive accountability and continuous improvement.

Compliance, Governance & Financial Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable Guyanese regulations, international maritime standards, environmental legislation, and port security requirements.
• Provide regular operational and strategic performance reports to executive leadership.
• Manage departmental budgets and drive cost optimization without compromising operational integrity or safety.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Maritime Studies, Logistics, Business, or a related discipline; advanced qualifications are advantageous.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive operational leadership experience in multipurpose ports, terminals, shorebases/offshore supply bases, marine logistics, offshore energy logistics, or oil & gas operations.
• Demonstrated experience operating at the intersection of port/marine logistics and the upstream oil & gas industry.
• Experience with physical operations including vessel movements, cargo handling, berth/yard operations, warehousing, laydown areas, load/offload activities, or offshore supply logistics.
• Experience supporting offshore drilling, FPSO, subsea, E&P, or other upstream energy operations is highly desirable.
• Proven experience leading large, multicultural operational teams, including employees, contractors, and third-party service providers.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing operational budgets, costs, KPIs, and business performance.
• Experience working with government, regulatory, port, maritime, and energy-sector stakeholders.
• Ability to relocate to and work full-time in Guyana.

Benefits
Competitive annual compensation package, STIP, LTIP, generous medical benefits, PTO, matching 401K, holidays, and more. Offer is subject to the candidate’s ability to obtain a work permit in Guyana.

How to Apply
Apply directly through NES Fircroft’s job search page: https://www.nesfircroft.com/job-search/

Closing Date: Friday, October 23, 2026