Why This Job is Featured on The SaaS Jobs
This Partnership Manager role stands out because it sits at the intersection of SaaS product differentiation and proprietary data supply. Kpler operates a platform built on market intelligence, and in that model, partnerships are not an adjacent channel—they are part of the core “data pipeline” that determines coverage, reliability, and credibility in customer workflows. The Middle East focus adds a distinctly regional dimension where access and trust can be as important as commercial terms.
For a SaaS career, the work offers a practical view of how external ecosystems shape product outcomes. Managing ongoing data delivery, resolving operational issues, and feeding market insights back into internal teams mirrors how many B2B SaaS companies evolve: cross-functional problem solving tied to measurable platform quality. Experience gained here can translate to partner-led growth, platform partnerships, data vendor management, and product-adjacent commercial roles across SaaS.
The role is best suited to professionals who prefer relationship-led work with clear ownership, and who are comfortable navigating ambiguity in fragmented markets. It will likely appeal to candidates who enjoy combining business development with operational follow-through, and who want their regional expertise to influence how a SaaS product performs in real customer use cases.
The section above is editorial commentary from The SaaS Jobs, provided to help SaaS professionals understand the role in a broader industry context.
Job Description
At Kpler, we are dedicated to helping our clients navigate complex markets with ease. By simplifying global trade information and providing valuable insights, we empower organisations to make informed decisions in commodities, energy, and maritime sectors.
Since our founding in 2014, we have focused on delivering top-tier intelligence through user-friendly platforms. Our team of over 700 experts from 35+ countries works tirelessly to transform intricate data into actionable strategies, ensuring our clients stay ahead in a dynamic market landscape. Join us to leverage cutting-edge innovation for impactful results and experience unparalleled support on your journey to success.
The Partnership Manager, Middle East is responsible for sourcing, managing, and expanding data partnerships across Middle Eastern oil and gas markets. The role requires proven regional experience and an established network across terminals, port agents, regional ship agents, and ship brokers. Deep market knowledge is essential to build trust with opaque data providers and to navigate local language, cultural, and regulatory barriers.
This role proactively sources new data, strengthens existing partnerships, and enhances responsiveness to partner needs. The manager owns the operational management of regional data sources and plays a critical role in improving data coverage, reliability, and differentiation in markets where visibility remains patchy.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and develop existing regional partnerships, maintaining regular check-ins to ensure timely, reliable data delivery and strong partner engagement, with support from the Partnerships Data & Success Manager where required.
- Source and onboard new data partners across all commodities in the Middle East, leveraging regional expertise and established networks to expand data coverage and depth.
- Represent the company at local and regional industry events, staying informed on market developments, strengthening relationships, and identifying new data and partnership opportunities.
- Share regional market insights and challenges with the wider Partnerships team, proposing creative and practical solutions to address data gaps, regulatory constraints, or operational issues.
- Collaborate closely with local Sales teams to track commercial opportunities, understand the competitive landscape, and align partnership efforts with customer needs.
- Action and support Data Operations critical requests, ensuring timely follow-up and coordination to maintain data quality and continuity.
- Deliver platform demonstrations and updates for existing and prospective partners, showcasing new services and reinforcing the value of collaboration.
- Proactively resolve partner queries and issues, gathering feedback and sharing insights internally to improve data delivery, partner experience, and product development.
Required Experience & Background
- Proven experience working in commodity and shipping markets, with a strong focus on oil, gas, or related energy commodities.
- Demonstrated experience in data sourcing through partnerships, including identifying, negotiating, and managing data providers.
- Established regional network across terminals, port agents, ship agents, ship brokers, or logistics providers.
- Strong understanding of shipping operations, cargo movements, and trade flows, and how these translate into market intelligence data.
- Experience managing ongoing partner relationships, including data delivery, issue resolution, and performance oversight.
- Ability to operate effectively in opaque or fragmented data environments, navigating language, cultural, and regulatory barriers.
Required Skills & Competencies
- Strong relationship-building and trust-based engagement with external partners in opaque markets.
- Proactive, business development mindset with the ability to identify and pursue new opportunities.
- Clear and effective communicator, able to translate market insights into actionable internal inputs.
- Collaborative approach, working effectively across Partnerships, Sales, Product, and Data Operations.
- High level of ownership and accountability for regional outcomes.
- Adaptable and resilient, able to navigate ambiguity, cultural differences, and changing market conditions.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business, Maritime Studies, Shipping, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
- 3–5 years’ experience in the commodities, shipping, logistics, or market intelligence industry.
We are a dynamic company dedicated to nurturing connections and innovating solutions to tackle market challenges head-on. If you thrive on customer satisfaction and turning ideas into reality, then you’ve found your ideal destination. Are you ready to embark on this exciting journey with us?
We make things happen
We act decisively and with purpose, going the extra mile.
We build together
We foster relationships and develop creative solutions to address market challenges.
We are here to help
We are accessible and supportive to colleagues and clients with a friendly approach.
Our People Pledge
Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that women and people of color are less likely than others to apply if they feel like they don’t match 100% of the job requirements. Don’t let the confidence gap stand in your way, we’d love to hear from you! We understand that experience comes in many different forms and are dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team.
Kpler is committed to providing a fair, inclusive and diverse work-environment. We believe that different perspectives lead to better ideas, and better ideas allow us to better understand the needs and interests of our diverse, global community. We welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives and are an equal opportunity employer.
