Senior Manager - Stowage Planning

Job Title - Senior Manager - Stowage Planning

About the Role

You will lead and oversee the global stowage planning function to ensure safe, efficient, and commercially optimized vessel stowage across the fleet. This role is responsible for managing a team of stowage planners across multiple locations, driving process and system improvements, and collaborating closely with internal and external stakeholders to support operational excellence, cost efficiency, and high vessel utilization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Team Management

Lead, mentor, and develop the stowage planning team to maintain high technical standards, consistent performance, and strong operational responsiveness.

Provide guidance on complex or critical stowage decisions, ensuring compliance with safety guidelines, stability requirements, and regulatory standards.

Develop workforce planning, training frameworks, and competency development programs for stowage planners.

Operational Excellence

Oversee the planning and validation of container stowage across vessels, ensuring seaworthiness, balanced stability, safe DG segregation, optimal crane split, and alignment with port/terminal constraints.

Set and uphold planning standards, SOPs, and best practices to ensure safe operations, maximum vessel utilization, and minimized operational costs.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including system enhancements, process automation, and operational efficiency projects.

Stakeholder & Network Collaboration

Partner closely with terminals, regional operations, vessel command teams, network planning, commercial teams, and deployment to ensure smooth and coordinated execution.

Provide direction on vessel suitability assessments for trade deployment based on capacity, cargo mix, port rotations, stability performance, and operational constraints.

Act as escalation point for operational issues, disruptions, or contingencies, ensuring timely resolution and mitigation planning.

Governance, Safety & Compliance

Ensure adherence to international maritime safety regulations, classification requirements, and internal nautical standards.

Monitor key operational KPIs, conduct trend analysis, and drive corrective or preventive actions where required.

Lead performance reviews and cost improvement discussions with terminals and operational partners.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree in Maritime Studies, Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, Logistics, or related field.

At least 812 years of experience in stowage planning, marine operations, or related operational shipping functions.

Prior experience managing a team in a fast-paced operational environment.

Strong understanding of vessel stability, container and breakbulk cargo handling operations, and terminal operations.

Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Ability to respond to operational situations across multiple time zones, when required.

Strong leadership presence and ability to influence across functions.

High attention to detail and commitment to safety.

Resilient, adaptive, and capable of making decisive operational judgments.

Passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Less experienced candidates may be considered for the Senior Manager position.

Key Competencies & Behaviours

Strategic thinking and operational foresight

Strong leadership and team development skills

Effective communication and stakeholder management

Analytical and problem-solving mindset

Decision-making under pressure and across time zones

High safety and compliance awareness

Continuous improvement orientation

Resilience, adaptability, and accountability

What We Offer

Competitive remuneration with performance incentives

Leadership role with global operational exposure

Opportunity to shape and improve stowage planning processes across a fleet

Collaborative, high-performing, and safety-driven culture

Exposure to complex vessel operations and multi-location management

Apply now!