Essential Duties & Responsibilities:Duties and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Ensure the safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible operation of US Ocean vessels.
- Provide strategic leadership for all technical operations supporting the Company's fleet.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve the Company's technical management strategy, maintenance philosophy, and asset management programs.
- Align departmental objectives, priorities, and performance metrics with the Company's strategic goals and mission.
- Communicate departmental goals, expectations, and performance standards to all Technical Services personnel.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence.
- Mentor, coach, and develop Technical Services personnel while promoting succession planning and employee development.
- Participate as a member of Senior Management in strategic planning, environmental initiatives, operational reviews, and business improvement efforts.
- Prepare long-term capital expenditure forecasts for vessel maintenance and improvements.
- Monitor expenditures to ensure cost-effective operations while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.
- Analyze maintenance costs and identify opportunities for operational savings without compromising reliability or safety.
- Review financial reports and key performance indicators related to fleet maintenance and operating costs.
- Maintain technical oversight of all vessel machinery, propulsion systems, auxiliary equipment, electrical systems, and hull structures.
- Monitor vessel performance data and maintenance trends to identify opportunities for improved reliability and operational efficiency.
- Review vessel technical reports, inspection findings, defect reports, machinery performance, and maintenance records.
- Establish maintenance priorities based upon operational risk, regulatory requirements, equipment criticality, and budget considerations.
- Ensure planned maintenance systems are effectively utilized and maintained across the fleet.
- Develop standardized maintenance procedures and standard job plans to improve consistency and efficiency.
- Oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.
- Direct root cause failure investigations and implement corrective actions to reduce repeat equipment failures.
- Develop long-range asset preservation and lifecycle management strategies.
- Develop, administer, and monitor annual technical operating budgets.
- Responsible for maintenance, repair, and vessel operating expenses.
- Develop long-term dry dock schedules and strategic shipyard planning.
- Oversee the planning, budgeting, bidding, execution, and close-out of dry dock projects.
- Prepare technical specifications and work scopes for shipyard periods.
- Lead dry dock bid evaluations and contractor selection.
- Negotiate contracts and administer shipyard agreements.
- Monitor project schedules, budgets, change orders, and contractor performance.
- Ensure all projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with quality standards.
- Oversee major vessel modifications, retrofits, equipment upgrades, and capital improvement projects.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable international, federal, state, flag state, port state, and classification society requirements.
- Support compliance with applicable requirements of:
- International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- International Safety Management (ISM) Code
- Classification Society Rules
- Company Safety Management System (SMS)
- Treat health, safety, security, quality, and environmental protection as core organizational values.
- Participate in environmental planning and establish departmental objectives supporting sustainability initiatives.
- Work closely with HSSQE to achieve company safety, environmental, and quality goals.
- Support internal and external audits, inspections, and regulatory examinations.
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with shipyards, equipment manufacturers, vendors, and marine service providers.
- Evaluate vendor performance and technical capabilities.
- Confirm repair vendors meet all technical, quality, and safety requirements.
- Review contractor performance during maintenance and repair projects.
- Negotiate service agreements and technical contracts.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with Company purchasing policies.
- Conduct routine vessel visits to monitor fleet condition and provide technical leadership.
- Promote positive professional relationships with vessel Masters, Chief Engineers, officers, and crews.
- Convene safety meetings during vessel visits and communicate management priorities.
- Provide technical guidance and operational support to vessel personnel.
- Assist vessels with troubleshooting complex mechanical and operational issues.
- Ensure deficiencies are documented, prioritized, and resolved in a timely manner.
- Demonstrate visible leadership in promoting a proactive safety culture.
- Review vessel safety meeting minutes and provide guidance and follow-up as appropriate.
- Participate in incident investigations involving vessel equipment or technical systems.
- Support emergency response planning and equipment readiness.
- Ensure maintenance activities comply with Company safety policies and applicable regulations.
- Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for fleet reliability, maintenance effectiveness, equipment availability, dry dock performance, and budget management.
- Identify opportunities to improve maintenance processes through technology, predictive maintenance tools, condition monitoring, and data analytics.
- Lead initiatives that improve vessel reliability, reduce downtime, and optimize lifecycle costs.
- Support implementation of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and fleet management software enhancements.
