Website:
africatalents.com
Job details:
About the position :
We are looking for an experienced Technical Superintendent – Fleet to join the technical management team in Dakar, Senegal.
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, efficient and cost-effective technical performance of assigned vessels, with a particular focus on maintenance, repairs, dry-docking, vessel inspections, technical budgets, statutory compliance and fleet availability.
The role is particularly suited to a Marine/Mechanical Engineer with a strong seagoing background as Chief Engineer, ideally with significant experience on tugs, workboats or similar port vessels.
Key Responsibilities :
1. Technical & Fleet Management
- Supervise the daily technical and operational activities of assigned vessels.
- Monitor vessel performance, reliability and technical condition.
- Ensure vessels remain operational, safe and compliant with applicable Class, Flag State, statutory and international requirements.
- Conduct regular vessel inspections and prepare detailed technical reports.
- Monitor maintenance history, defects, breakdowns and corrective actions.
- Ensure maintenance activities are carried out according to manufacturers' recommendations and company standards.
- Monitor the vessel Planned Maintenance System (PMS) and update standard jobs, work orders and maintenance requirements where necessary.
- Identify potential technical risks and implement preventive measures to minimize unplanned downtime.
- Provide technical support during emergency situations and breakdowns.
2. Repairs, Dry-Docking & Major Projects
- Plan and manage vessel repairs, refits and major maintenance activities.
- Lead the planning and execution of dry-docking activities from preparation through completion.
- Coordinate repair and maintenance activities with shipyards, workshops, contractors and suppliers.
- Ensure dry-docking projects are delivered safely, on schedule and within approved budgets.
- Support vessel mobilization and commissioning activities.
- Develop technical solutions for fleet and port-related projects.
- Work closely with the Workshop Superintendent to progressively increase the execution of maintenance activities internally.
3. Spare Parts & Procurement
- Coordinate with Procurement to ensure timely availability of spare parts and technical supplies.
- Plan spare-part requirements according to vessel trading schedules and maintenance plans.
- Work with purchasing teams to identify opportunities for cost reduction and supply-chain optimization.
- Monitor and close technical requisitions within agreed deadlines.
- Ensure critical spare parts are available to minimize vessel downtime.
4. Budget & Cost Control
- Assist in preparing annual operating and capital expenditure budgets for assigned vessels.
- Monitor technical expenditure against approved budgets.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising safety, quality or vessel reliability.
- Report regularly to the Senior Technical Manager on technical performance, expenditure and exceptional events.
- Ensure expenditure remains within authorized limits.
5. Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Ensure implementation of company HSSEQ policies and procedures across assigned vessels.
- Work closely with HSSEQ teams to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
- Support vessel audits, inspections and corrective-action plans.
- Promote a strong safety culture among technical and onboard personnel.
- Ensure compliance with the company's Safety Management System (SMS).
- Identify and report safety, environmental, security and quality risks.
6. Team Leadership & Development
- Lead and supervise technical personnel in accordance with company objectives.
- Provide technical guidance and support to engineers and onboard teams.
- Monitor individual and team performance.
- Identify training and development requirements.
- Conduct competency assessments and contribute to performance-management plans.
- Develop familiarization programs for newly joining engineers.
- Hold regular team meetings and promote collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Foster an "One Team" culture across the technical department.
7. Reporting & Stakeholder Management
- Provide regular technical reports to the Senior Technical Manager.
- Report vessel condition, maintenance status, technical incidents and budget performance.
- Maintain effective relationships with vessel crews, procurement, operations, finance, HSSEQ, workshops, shipyards and external contractors.
- Provide technical input to management decisions concerning fleet reliability and performance.
Key Challenges
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Minimize unplanned vessel downtime.
- Ensure rapid and effective troubleshooting of technical problems.
- Manage repairs and maintenance activities efficiently.
- Maintain high standards of safety, quality and regulatory compliance.
- Balance technical reliability with cost efficiency.
- Coordinate multiple stakeholders during repairs, dry-docking and emergency situations.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Mandatory:
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- STCW III/2 – Chief Engineer / Unlimited or equivalent, with relevant certification.
- Recent and relevant experience working onboard vessels as a Chief Engineer.
- Strong experience in vessel machinery, maintenance and technical operations.
- Experience with vessel repair and maintenance.
- Strong knowledge of international maritime, safety and statutory requirements.
- Strong command of English, both written and spoken.
- Good reporting and communication skills.
- Good proficiency in MS Word, Excel and MS Project or equivalent tools.
Highly preferred:
- Experience with tugs / tugboats / harbour vessels / workboats.
- Previous experience as a Technical Superintendent, Fleet Superintendent, Marine Superintendent or Technical Manager.
- Experience managing multiple vessels.
- Experience in dry-docking and major repair projects.
- Experience with Planned Maintenance Systems (PMS).
- Experience in port operations or maritime logistics.
- Experience managing technical budgets and procurement.
French: Preferred but not mandatory.
Key Competencies
- Marine technical expertise
- Vessel maintenance & repair
- Tug / workboat technical knowledge
- Dry-docking management
- Planned Maintenance Systems
- Troubleshooting & breakdown management
- Budget and cost control
- Procurement & spare parts management
- HSSEQ / SMS compliance
- Team leadership
- Project management
- Technical reporting
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
- Communication and stakeholder management
Click on Apply to know more.
