Assistant Manager M&R – Shipping Line

The Assistant Manager M&R – Shipping Line is responsible for overseeing the maintenance, repair, inspection, and operational condition of containers and related equipment. This role ensures compliance with international shipping standards while optimizing operational efficiency. The position requires close coordination with depots, surveyors, vendors, shipping agents, and internal teams to maintain container quality, control repair costs, and guarantee equipment availability for seamless shipping operations.

Key Responsibilities

Container Maintenance & Repair Operations: Supervise all maintenance and repair activities for containers and shipping equipment, ensuring adherence to shipping line standards and IICL guidelines. Monitor repair quality, turnaround times, and cost efficiency. Coordinate container inspections before and after shipment movements, promptly address damaged containers to minimize delays, and handle repair approvals and maintenance authorizations.

Depot & Vendor Coordination: Liaise with container depots to manage repair activities and equipment status. Work closely with repair workshops, vendors, and service providers to ensure quality maintenance work. Evaluate repair estimates, negotiate costs, monitor vendor performance, and conduct regular depot visits to ensure operational and safety standards are met.

Survey & Inspection Management: Coordinate container surveys and technical inspections, review survey reports, and approve repair recommendations. Maintain proper documentation of container damages and repair history. Manage joint surveys with customers, depots, or third-party surveyors as needed, ensuring compliance with inspection standards.

Cost Control & Budget Monitoring: Oversee M&R expenses to control repair costs effectively. Analyze repair trends to identify cost-saving opportunities and ensure repairs stay within approved budgets. Maintain detailed repair cost records and collaborate with the finance department on vendor invoices and payments.

Equipment Control & Monitoring: Track container inventory condition and equipment availability, including idle, damaged, and under-repair containers. Ensure timely reintegration of repaired containers into operations and coordinate repositioning based on operational needs. Maintain accurate equipment status updates within the system.

Documentation & Reporting: Keep comprehensive records of repairs, inspections, surveys, and maintenance activities. Prepare M&R reports, damage assessments, and cost analyses for management review. Update container maintenance records in ERP or other software systems and generate operational KPIs and equipment performance reports.

Compliance & Safety: Ensure all activities comply with shipping line standards, safety regulations, and international container repair guidelines. Implement maintenance SOPs and best practices, promote safe working conditions during repairs and inspections, support internal and external audits, and uphold environmental and operational compliance.

Coordination with Internal Departments: Collaborate effectively with Operations, Equipment Control, Customer Service, Finance, Depot Teams, Technical Vendors, Surveyors, and Shipping Agents to ensure smooth communication and operational continuity.

Operational Problem Solving: Address operational challenges related to damaged or unavailable containers. Manage urgent repair requests and escalations, coordinate emergency repair arrangements, and minimize disruptions through proactive maintenance planning.

Required Qualifications

- Strong knowledge of container maintenance and repair procedures
- Understanding of IICL standards and shipping line operations
- Technical expertise in container structures and damage assessment
- Vendor management and negotiation skills
- Analytical mindset with strong cost control abilities
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Excellent coordination and communication skills
- Proficiency in ERP/shipping software and MS Office
- Ability to perform under pressure in dynamic operational environments

Preferred Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Mechanical Engineering, Maritime Studies, Logistics, or related field
- 3 to 6 years of experience in container maintenance & repair, shipping line operations, depot operations, or equipment control
- Experience with shipping line or NVOCC operations is an advantage

Work Location: On-site presence required.