Fleet Operation Manager

About the Role

Pragmatike is recruiting on behalf of a major shipping group's fleet management entity, responsible for the worldwide technical management and operational coordination of a large commercial fleet. The organization operates roughly one engineer per four vessels and counts around 100 people, with activity centered on keeping ships in full operational condition across a global network of ports and hubs.

We are seeking a Deputy Fleet Manager with significant hands-on shipping experience to support the coordination of the fleet at a global scale. This is a highly operational, business-critical role focused on fleet maintenance, vessel availability, and representing the owner's interests in day-to-day technical management.

You will work closely with technical, operational, and onboard teams to ensure vessels remain reliable, compliant, and ready for service. The organization currently relies heavily on external providers — roughly two-thirds of the workforce — and there is a clear ambition to bring more steering and oversight back in-house where it makes sense. Strong ownership, deep maritime expertise, and the ability to operate independently in an international environment are essential.

Your Responsibilities

• Support the worldwide coordination of the fleet, contributing to vessel availability and operational continuity
• Oversee the maintenance and operational condition of vessels, ensuring compliance with technical and class requirements
• Act as owner's representative, including onboard, safeguarding the owner's interests in technical and operational matters
• Contribute to bringing fleet steering and oversight back in-house, reducing reliance on external providers where appropriate
• Apply and enforce shipping process and business tools across the fleet
• Provide superintendent-level technical support and follow-up to vessels across the main hubs (Marseille, Le Havre, Hamburg, Singapore)
• Coordinate with external service providers while progressively strengthening internal pilotage and control
• Contribute to operational best practices and the continuous improvement of fleet management within a maritime-focused organization

Required Qualifications

• Significant experience in the shipping industry, in technical or operational fleet roles
• Seagoing/onboard experience is indispensable
• Solid understanding of fleet operations and the owner model
• Strong command of shipping business processes and operational tools
• High operational autonomy and the ability to make sound decisions independently
• Demonstrated ability to represent the owner in technical and operational matters
• Comfortable operating in a fully international environment
• Fluent English is mandatory

Preferred Qualifications

• Background as a former Technical Superintendent
• Background as a former Chief Engineer or engine officer
• Engine-room experience, or a career path through technical onboard functions
• Experience as Assistant to the Master / Chief Officer (second)
• A career path that has moved from sea-going roles to shore-based fleet coordination
• Familiarity with multi-port, multi-hub fleet operations

Why Join Us

• Take ownership of the operational performance of a globally coordinated commercial fleet
• Play a direct role in keeping vessels reliable, compliant, and ready for service
• Contribute to a strategic shift toward stronger in-house fleet steering and oversight
• Work across an international network of major maritime hubs
• Influence operational best practices within a maritime-focused organization at scale

Pragmatike is committed to a fair, transparent, and inclusive recruitment process. We do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

In accordance with GDPR, your personal data will be processed lawfully, fairly, and securely, and used solely for recruitment purposes, including sharing it with our client(s) for employment consideration.

Changes made: removed "CMA Ships" from the title and body, replaced it with "a major shipping group's fleet management entity," and changed the one remaining French term armateur to "owner" for consistency. One thing to note — the listed ports (Marseille, Le Havre, Hamburg, Singapore) plus the French-group profile could still make the client identifiable to anyone in the industry. If you want it fully untraceable, I'd suggest generalizing the hubs too (e.g. "major European and Asian ports"). Want me to do that, or produce this as a Word document?