Director - Shipping & Logistics Operations

Talent Leads HR Solutions; Mumbai; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent Leads HR Solutions seeks a Director of Shipping & Logistics Operations in Mumbai. Lead end-to-end shipping & logistics across India, coordinating with ports, terminals, and marine authorities to ensure seamless execution and safety.

The role requires 20–25 years in the industry with at least 7 years in leadership, strong regulatory knowledge, and a focus on cost optimization and digital transformation. Mumbai-based, on-site position.

Qualifications

• Science graduate with Master Mariner or Chief Officer credentials.
• Experience in leadership roles within shipping/logistics is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end shipping & Logistics across India (ports, ICDs, CFS, depots).
• Coordinate with ports, terminals, and marine authorities for berthing and loading/unloading and manage schedules, safety, and costs.
• Ensure optimal container utilization, oversee maintenance, and control detention and demurrage costs.
• Manage Inland Container movement including inventory, quality, procurement, schedule and cost.
• Ensure on-time performance and documentation accuracy; address escalations with clients and improve customer experience via automation.
• Ensure compliance with Indian customs, DG shipping, and safety/environmental standards; monitor hazardous cargo handling.
• Manage contracts and SLAs with terminals and transporters; build partnerships with port authorities.
• Drive cost optimization in port and inland operations; develop budgets and monitor targets.
• Implement digital tools to reduce manual processes and raise efficiency; streamline processes.

Skills

Maritime expertise

Leadership experience

Regulatory knowledge

Vendor management

Communication skills

Risk management

Safety compliance

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Education

Master Mariner / Chief Officer

Science Graduate

Job description

Director - Shipping & Logistics Operations

Description:

Position : Director Operations

Reporting to : Managing Director

Location: Mumbai

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualification & Skills: Science Graduate, Master Mariner / Chief Officer with Commercial & Operational knowledge including Shipping laws and practices.

Experience: 20-25 Years of Industry Experience out of which 07 years in Leadership Role. ( Leadership Exp years not mandatory)

Technical Knowledge & Skills Behavioral Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent knowledge of Shipping industry & Networking skill
• Operational knowledge of Terminal, Ports, Vessels and Cargo
• Marine Safety
• Vendor management.
• Working knowledge of Custom Regulations and Merchant Shipping Act
• Inland Operations - Leadership Skill with humanitarian touch
• Team First
• Safety conscious with discipline
• High integrity
• High quality of interpersonal skill
• Good communication skill
• Good judgement and accountability
• Team Governance Knowledge
• Risk Management

Key Responsibilities:

Overall Operations Leadership:

• Lead end-to-end shipping & Logistics across India (ports, ICDs, CFS, depots), ensuring seamless execution and driving continuous improvement

Vessel & Port Operations:

• Coordinate with ports, terminals, and marine authorities for berthing, loading/unloading, and manage stowage planning, productivity, schedules, safety requirement and cost.

Container & Equipment Management:

• Ensure optimal container utilization and availability, oversee maintenance, manage inventory includes LSC and control related costs (detention, demurrage, etc.)

Inland Logistics & Network Operations:

• Manage entire Inland Container movement includes inventory, quality of the product & procurement, Schedule and cost.

Service Delivery & Customer Operations:

• Ensure on-time performance and documentation accuracy
• Address escalations with clients and improve customer experience via automation

Regulatory, Compliance & Safety:

• Ensure compliance with Indian customs, DG shipping, and safety/environmental standards
• Monitor compliance for all cargo types, including hazardous goods and special cargo.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management:

• Manage contracts and SLAs with terminals and transporters
• Build strong partnerships with port authorities and regulatory bodies

Cost & Budget Management:

• Drive cost optimization in port & inland operations, trucking, and container repositioning
• Develop budgets and monitor financial targets

Digitalization & Process Improvement:

• Implement digital tools (tracking, e-documentation, automation) to reduce manual processes and raise operational efficiency.
• Streamline the entire process to include the efficiency by removing the waste.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead national operations teams across multiple locations, aligning workforce on KPIs (TAT, port productivity, etc.), and training managers

Erros Resolution & Prevention Plan.

• To provide resolution for the issues & errors by correcting the process and setting up the prevention plan. .