Program Manager, Commercial Operations

Job Description

Job Description

About U. S. Marine Management Position Description

A key player in the maritime industry, USMMI expertly manages a diverse fleet of ships. Our expertise implementing maritime contracts, makes us a pivotal force in global commerce and government operations, notably with the U.S. Military Sealift Command and the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Tanker Security Program (TSP).

As a Jones Act qualified company, we adhere to the highest U.S. shipping standards. USMMI also operate a variety of non-Jones Act qualified ships. Our specialized capabilities in ship design, project management, and conversion allow us to provide tailored and innovative solutions that address the dynamic needs of our clients with precision and efficiency.

Our Vision

To solve the worlds hardest maritime challenges for a better future

Our Mission

To provide excellence and reliability in all aspects of ship operations and management services; while affording our shipboard crews and shoreside colleagues a safe, secure, and rewarding work environment.

Purpose/Summary:

The Commercial Operations Program Manager is responsible for management of assigned assets in USMMIs Commercial Fleet segment. This includes P&L responsibility, daily fleet operations and customer interaction/satisfaction, engineering, logistics support, crewing, regulatory compliance, and safety. They will report to the Vice President, Commercial Operations. The Commercial Operations Program Manager has budgetary/expense responsibility/approval for the program including ship maintenance, drydocking, engineering, spare parts, repairs, consumables, provisions, crewing and logistics costs.

The Commercial Operations Program Manager works from USMMI’s Norfolk Virginia office but will routinely travel to ships and terminals, and to meetings with the customer, industry partners, and supporting contractors and regulators.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for safety of life at sea, vessel and cargo for fleet assigned.
• Responsible for compliance with charter requirements, and customer satisfaction
• Responsible for assigned fleet performance metrics including budget, operating costs, reliability, and planning.
• Responsible for Regulatory compliance in assigned fleet including Safety and Environmental Protection, Domestic and International Law, Policies & Procedures.
• USMMI organizational “face” for ship owner to daily customer operational contacts.
• Critical role in Emergency Response Organization responding to any vessel casualty to ensure preservation of life and environment; and to maximum extent vessel and cargo under crisis conditions.
• On call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days per year to respond to vessel casualties or other emergencies.
• Supervise all staff assigned to fleet of vessels:
• Provide oversight for vessel master’s to ensure that missions/voyages are efficiently and safely performed in accordance with contract requirements.
• Management of subordinate Port Captains, Port Engineers, Port Coordinators, Purchasing Agents and Cargo Expediters.
• Integrates “Shared Services” operational support activities including Crewing, Finance, Strategic Projects, Marine Safety and Standards, Risk Management and Contracts.
• Coordinates with the crewing department to facilitate crew selections, advancements, rotations, performance appraisals and disciplinary action when required.
• Supervise all operations and technical management activities for fleet of assigned vessels.
• Oversee the planning and execution of maintenance, repairs, classification surveys, regulatory surveys, certifications and accreditations, equipment upgrades and similar tasks.
• Oversight of planning and execution: Port calls, classification surveys, regulatory inspections, SIRE vetting, etc.
• Ensure compliance with USMI ISM procedures and policies
• Promotes effective crew recruitment, training and retention
• Supports commitment to safety and other selected company standards and certifications
• Advocate for company safety culture
• Performs other position related duties as specified by management

Education and Experience

Advanced degrees desired (e.g. Business, Strategy, Management), bachelor’s degree in marine Transportation or Business desired, extensive background in marine operations required:

10-15 years’ experience managing marine operation/technical personnel, or

10-15 years’ experience in vessel operations, repair and maintenance, or

10-15 years’ experience with flag state, port state, and class society requirements.

The ideal candidate will offer:

Operational Management Experience as a Master or Chief Engineer

• Project management experience with delivery or conversion of vessels
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for conducting day-to-day business.
• Advanced degree from an accredited institution in business, strategy, logistics or equivalent discipline
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office products and fleet management software (Nautical Systems - Enterprise experience preferred)
• SECRET level (or better) security clearance

Technical Skills and Competencies Required

• U.S. Citizenship
• Eligible for a SECRET security clearance
• Excellent clerical and organizational skills
• Able to work without supervision and deal with multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Computer literate with experience in word processing and database programs

Travel Requirements:

Extensive travel (including foreign travel and travel in cars, boats, ships, and airplanes) will be required to attend to shipyard maintenance, to ride vessels or visit vessels for quality assurance and general management of vessel and crews, and on short notice for casualties, to conduct investigations and to protect the company’s reputation, or as directed by management.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

General office setting , typically the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work, usually at a computer terminal with short breaks or lunch period. However, there may be some bending/stooping, reaching above shoulder level, walking; standing; carrying of light items such as papers, books, or packages of up to 25 pounds. You should be able to hear & speak clearly using the phone / headset to communicate with customers; be able to navigate, view & enter information on the computer.

Operations Setting: typically, the employee must be able to Sit, Stand, Walk, Bend, Push/Pull, Kneel, Squat, Reaching and Twisting. Also need the ability to consistently be able to lift 10lb – 100lb utilizing Folding Hand Truck & Dolly, Rolling Utility Carts or Single Hand Trucks (70 – 100%) of time.