General Fleet Manager Crewing - Bulk

The role

Position: General Fleet Manager Crewing - Bulk

Reporting to: Director of Crewing - London

Department: Crew

Contract type: Full Time

Location: London, United Kingdom

Overview of role

As General Manager Crewing you will be responsible for the safe and efficient management of the fleet of Bulk vessels within our group. You will be a part of the global Crew Management organisation who together will be the driving force in ensuring we have the most effective and efficient team to manage our diverse fleet. Our success will be reflected through our highly engaged and competent leaders and teams onboard our diverse fleet.

Your knowledge in industry will be a key contributor to how we can further optimise our crew operations to build a stronger organisation for the future.

In this role you will be responsible for ensuring the strategy and standards as determined by Zodiac Maritime are always met. We have a hugely diverse fleet which is continually evolving, where you will be primary responsible for our Bulk fleet which has approximately 30 vessels.

We are looking for an individual who is excited to contribute and execute our future crew strategy, strengthening and building our organisation globally working with both our owned and 3rd Party Agents.

Key responsibilities and primary deliverables

Strategic crew planning and fleet expansion readiness

• Lead the development and execution of crew strategy for the Bulk fleet, ensuring it supports current operational needs while preparing the organisation for planned fleet expansion.
• Build scalable crewing plans and operating models that provide the right capability, capacity and cost control as the fleet grows.
• Translate strategic priorities into measurable objectives and practical actions for the Crew Management team, Manning Offices and onboard leadership.
• Apply strong commercial judgement to support operational resilience, efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Crew pool development and succession planning

• Develop and maintain a strong, competent and sustainable crew pool to meet the needs of the existing Bulk fleet and future vessel growth.
• Ensure all vessels are manned with qualified, medically fit, competent and trained personnel who meet company, charterer and regulatory expectations.
• Lead succession planning for critical onboard positions, with particular focus on the top four ranks and future leadership capability.
• Identify manning risks early and work with Manning Offices to address gaps in availability, competence, retention and promotion readiness.

Quality planning, charterer requirements and industry compliance

• Drive high-quality crew planning to ensure vessel manning consistently meets charterer requirements, RightShip standards, DBMS expectations and internal company standards.
• Maintain robust controls over crew qualifications, experience, documents and certificates to support safe operations, audit readiness and external stakeholder confidence.
• Ensure selection, recruitment and deployment decisions support vessel performance, compliance and charterer expectations.
• Monitor relevant regulatory and industry developments, including Flag Administration requirements, ILO/MLC obligations and other representative body requirements.
• Develop and implement procedures, controls and improvement actions to maintain compliance and continuously strengthen crewing quality standards.

Performance management and continuous improvement

• Drive a strong performance management culture across shore and onboard teams, working directly with vessels to ensure expectations are clear, performance is reviewed regularly and improvement actions are followed through.
• Use appraisal outcomes, promotion recommendations, retention data, welfare indicators, vessel feedback and operational performance trends to identify development needs and improve crew capability.
• Work with Masters, Chief Engineers, vessel leadership teams and Manning Offices to identify performance gaps, agree development plans and support the progression of high-potential seafarers.
• Ensure onboard feedback is used constructively to strengthen training, coaching, succession planning and long-term crew development across the Bulk fleet.
• Ensure poor performance, conduct concerns and disciplinary matters are addressed promptly, consistently and in line with company procedures.

Data-driven decision making

• Use crew data, performance trends, retention metrics, appraisal outcomes, cost information and vessel feedback to inform decisions and prioritise improvement actions.
• Provide clear reporting and insight to help shore and vessel leadership understand risks, opportunities and progress against objectives.
• Turn insight into practical actions that strengthen crew planning, pool development, retention, succession planning and operational performance.

Emergency response

• Respond to and attend out-of-hours emergency response meetings in collaboration with the Director of Crewing.
• Remain flexible and available for on-call responsibilities.
• Understand emergency duties and practices onboard vessels.
• Agree the crew communication strategy and required support actions with the Director of Crewing and DPA.

SMS, safety culture and operational assurance

• Promote SMS policy, safety culture and operational discipline across vessels, Manning Offices and the Crew Department.
• Ensure SMS requirements are implemented, maintained and continuously improved within crew operations.
• Review incidents, claims, audit findings and operational feedback to identify root causes and ensure appropriate corrective and preventive actions are completed.
• Participate in Shore Safety and Management Review meetings and ensure agreed crewing-related actions are completed as soon as practicable.

Projects and change delivery

• Lead and support strategic crewing projects that improve capability, efficiency, compliance and the overall effectiveness of the crew operating model.
• Work with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver projects relating to crew systems, process improvement, reporting, policy implementation, Manning Office development and fleet expansion readiness.
• Ensure project outcomes are clearly defined, communicated and embedded into day-to-day crew operations.
• Monitor progress, manage risks and ensure agreed actions are delivered in line with business priorities and stakeholder expectations.

Skills profile

Relevant experience & education

• Strong academic record; professional maritime qualifications, seafaring experience or equivalent industry experience would be an advantage.
• Proven management experience within shipping, crewing, marine operations or a comparable international operating environment.
• Strong understanding of crew management, vessel manning requirements and the operational demands of managing a diverse fleet.
• Experience developing crew pools, succession plans and future capability to support fleet growth.
• Expert knowledge of charterer requirements, RightShip, DBMS, SMS, Flag Administration requirements
• Strong knowledge of Collective bargaining agreements and MLC obligations and how to ensure optimal compliance while driving simplification.
• Demonstrated ability to drive performance management, crew development and continuous improvement across shore-based teams, Manning Offices and onboard leadership.
• Commercially astute, with experience managing budgets, controlling costs and delivering efficiency improvements without compromising safety, quality or compliance.
• Confident using data, reporting and performance insight to inform decisions, identify risks and support strategic workforce planning.
• Proven ability to lead projects, implement change and embed new systems, processes or operating models into crew operations.
• Highly effective at building relationships across a global, multicultural organisation, including with senior stakeholders, Manning Offices, vessel leadership and external partners.
• Strong leadership profile, with the ability to set standards, coach others and lead from the front when required.
• Flexibility to travel and respond to out-of-hours calls as required.

It is with regret that due to the high volume of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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