At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the management of our diverse fleet and optimise crew operations for future growth.
- Company: Join a global leader in maritime operations with a commitment to safety and efficiency.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a multicultural team and enjoy opportunities for travel and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on crew strategy and fleet management in a fast-paced industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in shipping or crewing management, with strong leadership and commercial skills.
Reporting to: Director of Crewing
Contract type: Permanent / Full Time
Location: London
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 primarily 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.
Skill Profile
- 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.
Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
General Fleet Manager - Crewing in City of London employer: Zodiac Maritime
Zodiac Maritime is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead communications within one of the world's largest privately owned fleets, based in London. The company fosters a culture of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, valuing employee growth through meaningful contributions to its long-term objectives. With a commitment to nurturing talent and reinforcing its reputation as an employer of choice, Zodiac provides a supportive environment where employees can thrive and make a significant impact in the maritime industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Fleet Manager - Crewing in City of London
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Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
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We think you need these skills to ace General Fleet Manager - Crewing in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Zodiac Maritime, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at Zodiac Maritime and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into Zodiac Maritime. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zodiac Maritime
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at Zodiac Maritime.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to Zodiac Maritime.
