Senior Technical Manager

The role

Position: Senior Technical Manager

Contract type: Full Time

Reporting to: General Fleet Manager – Technical (London)

Location: Mumbai, India

Overview of role

As Senior Technical Manager you are responsible for:

• Ensure safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-effective technical management of assigned vessels in alignment with company policies and objectives.
• Support GFM Technical in maintaining fleet technical performance and operational readiness.
• Provide consistent technical guidance and support to vessel teams to ensure effective maintenance and defect resolution.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and assigned technical projects.
• Demonstrate leadership by coaching, guiding, and developing Technical Managers and onboard Leadership team.

Key responsibilities and primary deliverables

Leadership & Performance Management

• Act as a role model for safety, integrity, and professionalism.
• Coach and guide Technical Managers and onboard Leadership team, fostering a culture of learning and high performance in line with the company's ways of working.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to vessel teams.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of performance management systems and objectives for assigned vessels.
• Support the GFM Technical in driving team engagement, training, and talent development.

Supporting the General Fleet Manager – Technical

• Provide operational and technical support to GFM Technical, including input on fleet-wide initiatives, cost control, and process improvements.
• Deputise for the GFM Technical as required, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision-making.
• Collaborate with the GFM Technical on strategic projects, audits, and change management activities.

Maintenance, Repairs & Budget Control

• Prepare, monitor, and control technical budgets for assigned vessels, including repairs, spares, and consumables.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute routine repairs, voyage repairs, and technical inspections.
• Support dry-dock planning and execution under the guidance of the GFM Technical.
• Review invoices and recommend payments in line with delegated authority and cost control procedures.
• Liaise with purchasing teams and vendors to ensure timely supply of spares and services.
• Monitor vessel condition through reports, PMS, inspections, and performance data, and initiate corrective actions as required.

Safety, Compliance & Risk

• Promote and reinforce safety-first behaviour across vessel operations.
• Ensure timely closure of deficiencies, audit findings, and incident-related corrective actions for assigned vessels.
• Participate in incident investigations and contribute to root cause analysis and preventive actions.
• Identify technical risks and escalate significant concerns to the GFM Technical.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, class, flag, and company safety and environmental requirements.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Interface

• Liaise closely with Masters and Chief Engineers to ensure alignment on technical priorities.
• Participate in crew briefing, debriefing and performance evaluation.
• Coordinate with Operations, Crewing, QHSSE, Purchasing, and Finance departments to support efficient vessel operations.
• Interface with Classification Societies, Flag Administrations, shipyards, and technical service providers as required.

Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in assigned technical projects, including retrofits, upgrades, new building specification reviews and improvement initiatives.
• Support project planning, execution, and reporting under the direction of the GFM Technical.
• Identify opportunities for technical improvements, cost savings, and reliability enhancement within area of responsibility.
• Share lessons learned and best practices across the technical team.

Authority

• Recommend technical expenditures and approve costs within delegated authority.
• Raise repair specifications and work scopes for approval.
• Escalate safety, compliance, or cost risks exceeding defined thresholds.

General

• Take proactive and timely action to address technical issues impacting safety, compliance, or operations.
• Participation as needed in office audits
• Ensuring safety and environmental protection remain a high priority in all activities.
• Maintain accurate technical records and reporting.
• This job description is subject to periodic review by management in line with organisational needs.

Skills profile

Relevant experience & education

• Ex sea-going senior engineer officer (experienced 1st Engineer / Chief Engineer) on relevant vessel type.
• Previous experience of carrying out the shore-based day to day Technical Management of vessels. (Minimum 3 years as a Technical Manager / Senior Fleet Superintendent / Senior Vessel Manager)
• Have planned, prepared and executed periodical drydocking of vessels.
• Relevant education - degree / diploma in Marine Engineering / Nautical Science, Class 1 Certificate of Competency, and Marine Transportation, Chief Engineer's Certificate or equivalent.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills together with the ability to support decisions with sound reasoning and judgement.
• Have experience of overseeing fleetwide projects within the ship management domain with a strong focus on delivering quality and meeting deadlines.
• Clear, precise, and confident verbal and written communication, combined with strong interpersonal skills, to build and sustain effective relationships with key stakeholders.
• Proven record of commercial awareness and ability to apply sound commercial judgement.
• A successful track record in dealing with a broad set of activities within a fast-paced environment, whilst managing ambiguity and pressure well is a requirement for this role.