Spinnaker
Senior Crewing Operations Manager
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Location: London, UK (relocation support provided)
Contract: Permanent, full time
Currently recruiting an experienced crewing leader for a senior role overseeing a bulk fleet of approximately 30 vessels, with scope for significant expansion. This is an opportunity to shape how the fleet is crewed today while building the people, processes and capacity needed to support its future growth.
You will lead a geographically dispersed crewing team and take responsibility for operational crewing, crew development, compliance and performance. Working closely with marine, technical and operations colleagues, you will make decisions that balance safe manning and crew welfare with vessel requirements and commercial priorities.
The role
You will develop and deliver a crewing strategy for the bulk fleet, ensuring every vessel has suitably qualified and capable personnel. As the fleet grows, you will build practical plans for crew availability, succession, training and cost control, and communicate those plans clearly to stakeholders.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading and developing a remote, international crewing team, setting clear priorities and maintaining consistent standards.
- Overseeing crew planning, recruitment and deployment across the bulk fleet.
- Developing a sustainable crew pool and succession plans, particularly for senior onboard ranks.
- Working with Manning Offices, Masters and Chief Engineers to identify capability gaps, support progression and improve retention.
- Ensuring manning decisions meet regulatory, charterer and industry requirements, including RightShip and DBMS expectations.
- Monitoring crew performance, welfare, qualifications and certification, and addressing risks before they affect vessel operations.
- Using crew, retention, performance and cost data to guide decisions and improve the way the fleet is managed.
- Leading changes to crewing systems, processes and operating practices as the fleet expands.
- Supporting incident response and participating in out-of-hours emergency arrangements when required.
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About you
You will bring substantial operational crewing experience and a proven record of managing people at a comparable level. You will understand the realities of running a fleet and be comfortable making decisions across an international team, including when priorities compete.
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You should be able to demonstrate:
- Strong knowledge of vessel manning, crew operations, compliance and development.
- Experience leading dispersed teams and working effectively with Manning Offices and onboard leadership.
- Commercial judgement, including an understanding of how crewing decisions affect costs, vessel performance and charterer requirements.
- The ability to plan for fleet growth and turn that plan into clear actions for your team.
- Confidence to advocate for crewing priorities while listening to and collaborating with marine, technical and operations colleagues.
- Experience improving performance, developing people and leading operational change.
A bulk shipping background would be valuable. Candidates from ship management or other relevant fleet environments will also be considered where they can demonstrate strong operational knowledge and commercial awareness.
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