Senior Manager/ AGM Line Operations Asia

Purpose of the Role

We are seeking a self-motivated and experienced operations leader to take on the role of AGM / Senior Manager, Line Operations Asia, based in Singapore. Reporting to Vice President, Operations, the role will lead the Asia Line Operations function and oversee a team of operations managers, ensuring effective, reliable, cost-efficient, and commercially aligned vessel operations across the Asia network. This positions accountable for schedule integrity, service reliability, operational cost control, bunker and vessel performance monitoring, and cross-functional coordination with trade, network, fleet, stowage, terminals, agencies, partners, and senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Asia Line Operations function, providing direction, guidance,and performance oversight the line operations Asia team.
• Ensure vessel operations across Asia services are executed in line with agreed service standards, proforma schedules, Vessel Sharing Agreement requirements, and company operating procedures.
• Drive schedule reliability and service recovery by monitoring vessel performance, identifying potential delays, proposing counter measures, and coordinating recovery plans with internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee port calls, berthing arrangements, bunker operations, terminal coordination, and local operations agency follow-up to ensure timely vessel turnaround and minimal operational disruption.
• Manage operational cost control across Asia services, including vessel operating expenses, bunker consumption, port costs, and other cost leadership drivers impacting voyage performance.
• Review cost deviations, conduct operational deep dives, and work with regional operations team in Dubai, local operations agencies, terminals, and internal stakeholders to identify savings opportunities and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators including schedule reliability, bunker consumption, operational cost performance, and service recovery effectiveness.
• Coordinate closely with Fleet Operations, Stowage, Network, Trade, Capacity, Logistics, Procurement, Finance, and regional agencies to ensure operational decisions support commercial, cost, and service objectives.
• Support vessel deployment and service studies by providing operational inputs on vessel suitability, port rotation, terminal constraints, bunker requirements, proforma schedules, and service feasibility.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to optimize operational processes, strengthen governance, enhance performance monitoring dashboards, and support digitalization of line operations workflows.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, environmental, and internal operational guidelines, including processes related to dangerous goods, special cargo, vessel readiness, and incident escalation.
• Act as an escalation point for operational disruptions, incidents, port congestion, schedule changes, bunker issues, partner coordination, and other matters affecting Asia services.
• Develop team capability by coaching Line Operations Managers, strengthening operational discipline, building succession depth, and promoting a culture of accountability, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Support crisis management, strategic projects, restructuring initiatives, and other assignments as directed by the Vice President, Operations and senior leadership.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong working relationships with trade, network, capacity, logistics, fleet operations, stowage, procurement, finance, agencies, terminals, vessel command, owners, consortium partners, and service partners.
• Represent Asia Line Operations in cross-functional discussions, performance reviews, service planning meetings, and operational escalation forums.
• Communicate clearly and proactively with stakeholders on schedule risks, recovery plans, cost impacts, port constraints, and operational decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies, Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, Logistics, Operations Management, Business Management, or a related discipline.
• Sea going experience is a plus but not essential
• At least 10 years of relevant liner shipping, vessel operations, marine operations, or regional operations experience with container liner companies.
• Prior experience managing teams in a fast-paced, multi-service operational environment.
• Strong understanding of vessel scheduling, port operations, bunker planning, service recovery, VSA coordination, cost control, and operational performance management.
• Experience working across Asia trade lanes, ports, agencies, terminals, partners, and cross-functional shipping stakeholders is preferred.
• Strong analytical capability with experience in KPI tracking, cost analysis, operational reporting, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Good command of written and spoken English, with strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills; experience with Power BI, QlikView, or other dashboards and data visualization tools is preferred.
• Ability to respond to operational matters across time zones when required.

Key Competencies

• Operational leadership and team development
• Schedule reliability and service recovery management
• Cost leadership and financial discipline
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder influence
• Problem solving under time-critical operational conditions
• Process improvement, digitalization, and performance management
• Safety, compliance, and risk management mindset
• Accountability, resilience, and strong execution discipline