Role Purpose
To lead efficient, compliant and cost-effective crew management operations for the assigned MPP fleet, ensuring vessels are manned with suitably qualified, medically fit and properly documented seafarers while maintaining operational readiness. The position also acts as backup to the Fleet Crew Operations Manager to support continuity of crewing operations.
Role Accountabilities
Management
- Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day crew management operations for the assigned vessels in the Multi-Purpose (MPP) fleet, ensuring smooth execution and timely escalation of key issues to senior management. Maintain oversight of PNG operations (SSL PNG branch).
Crewing Operations
- Review current and forecast MPP fleet manpower requirements, crew availability, succession readiness and replacement needs, and communicate recruitment and deployment requirements to manning partners and relevant internal stakeholders.
- Manage the recruitment, selection, rotation planning and deployment of senior officers, including permanent staff; oversee Marine Personnel Executives in planning and executing rotations and crew changes for junior officers and ratings.
- Track crew availability, competency, medical fitness and training readiness in coordination with Marine Personnel Executives, and manning partners.
- Coordinate closely with Marine Personnel Executives, manning agents, Masters, and other stakeholders on crew changes, travel arrangements, and operational planning.
- Ensure accurate crew planning, movement tracking, and data integrity within the COMPAS system.
- Liaise with Ship Managers and Fleet Managers on the selection of seafarers based on vessel requirements, suitability, competence and relevant experience.
- Review and recommend promotions for senior officers and approve promotions for junior officers and ratings.
- Work with travel service providers to ensure cost-effective and efficient crew logistics.
- Collaborate with Training and Career development teams to align training plans with crew deployment schedules.
- Support the planning and deployment of cadets and trainees across the MPP fleet, coordinating sea-time opportunities, vessel placements and deployment readiness with the Training and Career Development team.
- Liaise with contracted drug testing agencies for renewal of enrolment certificates and ensuring that records of on-board random testing are maintained.
- Manage contractual, logistical, and administrative arrangements for project and shipyard teams.
Crew Documentation
- Supervise Marine Personnel Executives and manning agents to ensure timely processing of Certificates of Endorsement (COE) and related documentation.
- Ensure accurate and timely updating of crew data in MARINET, including sign-on/off, endorsement applications, and crew agreements.
- Verify crew documentation to ensure compliance with MLC, STCW, flag state, and company requirements.
- Ensure proper administration and monitoring of Articles of Agreement, official logbooks, and statutory documentation.
- Oversee flag-state dispensations and manning exceptions processed by the Marine Personnel Executive team, ensuring appropriate approval and records.
Crew Welfare, Medical Cases, Claims & Stakeholder Management
- Engage regularly with seafarers to understand operational and welfare needs and provide recommendations to the General Manager, Crewing, where management action is required.
- Manage crew welfare matters and benefits administration and ensure crew-related issues are appropriately resolved or escalated.
- Address disciplinary cases, grievances and crew performance issues in coordination with Masters, manning partners and relevant internal stakeholders.
- Act as the principal coordination point for crew medical matters involving the Company, Insurance team, P&I club, manning partners, Masters and medical service providers.
- Oversee crew claims, supporting documentation and follow-up actions, including liaison with the Insurance team.
- Maintain effective relationships with Masters, Ship and Fleet Managers, manning partners, agents, vendors and other crewing stakeholders.
Financial Control, Governance & Operational Compliance
- Review and approve crew change expenses, crew expense claims, welfare expenditure and vendor or manning-agent invoices within delegated authority and Company policy.
- Monitor crewing cost performance for the assigned fleet and support budget control and cost-efficiency initiatives.
- Ensure expenses and invoices are supported by appropriate evidence, accurately allocated and compliant with Company controls and governance requirements.
- Monitor vendor and manning-partner service delivery, escalating recurring cost, quality or control concerns.
- Prepare or review monthly budget variance reporting for assigned vessels and provide timely management explanations and corrective actions.
- Contribute to updates of crew-management procedures, work instructions and system requirements.
- Prepare and review the year-end MPP crew merit-bonus report, including supporting performance data and recommendations for senior officers.
- Prepare the required information for year-end accruals.
Other Responsibilities
- Support initiatives to improve gender balance across the fleet and to increase the representation of South Pacific Island and Papua New Guinea seafarers.
- Support business continuity by undertaking additional duties as required, including acting on behalf of the Fleet Crew Operations Manager when needed.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of crewing processes, and controls to enhance efficiency and compliance.
- Support internal and external audits, investigations, special projects and approved business-improvement initiatives.
- Identify recurring operational issues, control gaps and service-delivery weaknesses, and implement practical corrective and preventive actions.
People Management
- Lead, coach and develop Marine Personnel Executives, setting clear objectives and managing performance, feedback and development planning.
- Allocate resources and balance workloads to meet operational priorities, service levels and business-continuity requirements.
- Manage team scheduling, leave, role coverage, cross-training and succession planning.
- Promote employee engagement, open communication, accountability, collaboration and retention.
- Oversee onboarding and capability development for new and existing team members.
Crisis Management
- Make every effort to be aware of and understand your role in the event of a crisis.
- Member of the CMT, Next of Kin Handling team(PAT –Personnel Assistance Team)
- Make every effort to attend any relevant training, simulations and/or meetings relating to Crisis Management.
- Perform your role as best as possible in a calm and collaborative manner in line with the relevant policy and procedures in the event of a Crisis.
- Provide input and feedback towards the ongoing improvement of the crisis management framework and procedure.
Safety
- Take responsibility for own safety and those around me by displaying safety leadership principles (i.e. Safety I’s & Accountability ladder).
- Challenge and stop unsafe acts and behaviour or unsafe conditions when and if observed.
- Comply with the Global Safety Standards, Policies and Operating Procedures.
Key Qualifications & Skills
Qualifications
- Degree, diploma holder or certificate of competency.
- Minimum of 6 years’ experience in a crew management role and 3 years as a manager.
- A master’s degree in human resources, Maritime or related discipline would be an advantage.
Technical Skills
- Good working knowledge of STCW, the ISM code and MLC2006 as a minimum.
- Knowledge of manning requirements and flag state requirements.
- Knowledge of the operation of Ship Management and onboard functions.
Professional Skills
- Accurate and numerate; self-starter with good initiative.
- Good people management skills – ability to manage a diverse team.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a good planner/communicator Skills
- Fluent in spoken and written English.
- Must be comfortable interacting with multinational crew, across ranks.
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