Lead Contracts Specialist

About Ampol Trading & Shipping

Our purpose at Ampol is to power better journeys today and tomorrow. Our Trading and Shipping team is key to achieving this, not only supplying our customer’s needs today, but evolving as the energy transition takes place to supply our customers well into the future.

We take pride in our people and value innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. If you’re a professional committed to excellence, Ampol is looking for you.

About the Role

Supporting the Contracts Team Manager, including primary responsibility for preparing, reviewing and negotiating contracts for the sale and purchase of petroleum products (including LPG) and crude for the international trading business with specific focus on US Trading.   

Managing all associated contract paperwork and ensuring compliance with terms and conditions of each individual trade. Assisting Contracts Team Manager in managing risk by continually reviewing Ampol systems, processes and procedures and implementing agreed changes.   

Providing coaching and mentoring support to other team members and independently influencing best practice ways of working with the business. 

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, review and negotiate, within agreed parameters, contract documentation for the sale and purchase of crude and petroleum products (including Head of Pipe and Waterborne sales) including supplementary documents.   

• Identify and escalate any operational and/or contractual issues to appropriate internal subject matter experts and coordinate an appropriate resolution, including in relation to fraud, bribery and corruption, counterparty due diligence and compliance with delegation of authority, dispute management and document retention. 

• Continually review and improve Ampol processes and procedures in relation to establishing contracting positions and capture and manage agreed contracting positions in Ampol database. 

• Develop a relationship with the trading team by making a positive connection, understanding the commercial drivers, understanding the commercial and legal risks, and understanding when escalation is required and when a view can be taken. 

• Independently influence best practice ways of working, including value-add tools, resources and processes both within the Contracts Team and with business stakeholders. 

• Provide coaching and mentoring to other Contract Team members to support development and growth as well as supporting quality assurance. 

• Play a leading role when working with the Ampol Trading and Legal teams to identify, implement and monitor continuous improvement opportunities within Ampol Trading and Shipping and the Contracts Team. 

• Identify and escalate any legal and commercial contractual issues and opportunities to minimise Ampol legal and commercial risk.  Provide support on reports, checks and reviews relating to Ampol trading operations, communicate issues and coordinate an appropriate resolution. 

• Participating as a member of the Global trading and legal teams through sharing information and learnings, sharing workload as required by the General Counsel, Trading & Shipping and active participation in team meetings. 

• Provide litigation and dispute support to the Ampol Trading & Shipping Legal team as required. 

• Such other duties as may be reasonably required by the company from time to time 

Qualifications & Experience

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline is essential; a degree in Maritime, Supply Chain, or Law is highly desirable.

• 8–10 years’ experience in the contracts function of a crude oil and/or petroleum products trading environment.
• Proven ability to independently draft, review, and negotiate sale and purchase agreements in line with commercial and operational priorities.

Skills & Knowledge

• Exposure to fast-paced, unstructured trading businesses managing high volumes of complex, ad hoc agreements.
• Experience engaging with legal counsel and commercial stakeholders to resolve contractual disputes and mitigate risk.

• In-depth understanding of contractual terms, legal frameworks, and general trading conditions in the oil & gas sector.
• Strong contract analysis and negotiation skills with attention to commercial risk and compliance.
• Proficiency in industry-standard General Terms & Conditions (e.g., BP, Shell, ISDA).
• Solid understanding of trading and shipping operations including chartering, demurrage, and lifting procedures.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and document management systems.
• Familiarity with US corporate law and regulatory requirements relating to international oil trading.

At Ampol, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We embrace and celebrate diversity in all its forms, recognizing that it makes our organization stronger. We encourage applications from people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We invite you to bring your whole self to Ampol.

Want to take your career to the next level? Apply today.