Employee Profile

“Whether you are solving an issue with your mentor or discussing a development opportunity with your manager or simply chatting with the business unit leader by the coffee machine, I always feel confident that what we do is a mutual team effort where everyone can contribute and is respected for their opinion.”

Since day one at Cargill, I have had the chance to learn from the best not simply in what my peers do, but also be among great team players and team leaders. Whether you are solving an issue with your mentor or discussing a development opportunity with your manager or simply chatting with the business unit leader by the coffee machine, I always feel confident that what we do is a mutual team effort where everyone can contribute and is respected for their opinion.

Describe your work responsibilities and the importance of your role.

As a Senior Vessel Operator, I am responsible for pure operational tasks, such as cost effective voyage execution and the overall voyage profit and loss accountability, but also for leading Varna Capes operations team which is currently operating the whole Cargill Capes fleet. In good market conditions, the workload increases exponentially and team members rely on more experienced peers to act as mentors and coaches to give them timely advice. Ultimately, I am responsible helping our team achieve excellence in execution and its business plan objectives.

Describe your day-to-day activities and the skills needed to perform well.

When you work in real time there are a variety of issues and enquiries. Issues can range from feeding prefixing information to impatient traders trying to lock in the best deal, communicating with customers expecting a custom tailored approach or negotiating services with third party providers. In order to be successful, I need to be able to prioritize tasks, manage time and pay attention to details. The amount of daily communication requires me to be proactive with a strong customer focused mindset and be a good team player.

Describe your career path.

Where did you start and how did you get to where you are today? I started working for Cargill in November 2010 as a Vessel Operator on the Handy desk located in Varna. At that time, the entire office was employed by a third party service provider to which Cargill was outsourcing a significant part of its pure operational activities. The office grew rapidly, increasing both in size and range of provided services. In September 2013, we became part of the Cargill family. After joining Cargill I was promoted to a Senior Vessel Operator and about a year later I was given the opportunity to join the Capes team as a Senior Vessel Operator.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

What I find most rewarding is the opportunity to work with some of the best professionals in their fields. Everyone is always available to answer questions or give you career advice even if you work in different offices miles away from each other. Besides, no matter if you have ten days or ten years with Cargill, your opinion will matter as long as you are willing to voice and champion a different viewpoint.

Why did you choose to join Cargill and what keeps you here? In other words, how has a career at Cargill helped you to thrive?

Becoming a Cargill employee helped me develop as a professional because of the unique people processes and the fact that people are Ocean Transportation's main assets.

What advice would you give someone interested in a career at Cargill like yours?

My advice would be to do your best to turn your interest in reality. If you are looking for a challenging and dynamic work environment where people are valued for their differences and willingness to challenge the status quo, a career in Cargill will give you all this from day one. Cargill is a place where your curiosity, high performance and relentless determination are rewarded and new career opportunities will become available.

Share an interesting tidbit about yourself such as hobbies, volunteerism, favorite foods or activities, accomplishments inside or outside of work.

I love travelling, going out with friends and seeing live concerts. Those three things occupy most of my free time and with some careful planning you can easily combine them leaving you with unforgettable memories. Exploring new places, getting in touch with foreign cultures and tasting typical foods is what gives me energy.