Technical Superintendent – Fleet

AfricaTalents; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 254,000 - 423,000; Full time

Job summary

AfricaTalents is seeking an experienced Technical Superintendent – Fleet to join our technical management team in Dakar, Senegal. You will be responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and cost-efficient technical performance of the fleet, with emphasis on maintenance planning, repairs, dry-docking, and budget adherence.

The ideal candidate is a Marine/Mechanical Engineer with a strong seagoing background as Chief Engineer, with significant experience on port vessels such as tugs or workboats.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical or Marine Engineering.
• STCW III/2 – Chief Engineer / Unlimited or equivalent.
• Recent experience as Chief Engineer on vessels.
• Strong knowledge of vessel maintenance and operations.
• Excellent reporting and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical and fleet management for assigned vessels.
• Oversee maintenance, repairs and dry-docking planning.
• Coordinate spare parts procurement and cost control.
• Ensure HSSEQ compliance and safety across the fleet.
• Provide regular technical reports to senior management.

Skills

Marine Engineering

Chief Engineer experience

Seagoing background

English language

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Project

Team leadership

Budget & cost awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Project

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Technical Superintendent – Fleet to join the technical management team in Dakar, Senegal.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, efficient and cost-effective technical performance of assigned vessels, with a particular focus on maintenance, repairs, dry-docking, vessel inspections, technical budgets, statutory compliance and fleet availability.

The role is particularly suited to a Marine/Mechanical Engineer with a strong seagoing background as Chief Engineer, ideally with significant experience on tugs, workboats or similar port vessels.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Technical & Fleet Management

• Supervise the daily technical and operational activities of assigned vessels.
• Monitor vessel performance, reliability and technical condition.
• Ensure vessels remain operational, safe and compliant with applicable Class, Flag State, statutory and international requirements.
• Conduct regular vessel inspections and prepare detailed technical reports.
• Monitor maintenance history, defects, breakdowns and corrective actions.
• Ensure maintenance activities are carried out according to manufacturers' recommendations and company standards.
• Monitor the vessel Planned Maintenance System (PMS) and update standard jobs, work orders and maintenance requirements where necessary.
• Identify potential technical risks and implement preventive measures to minimize unplanned downtime.
• Provide technical support during emergency situations and breakdowns.
• Plan and manage vessel repairs, refits and major maintenance activities.
• Lead the planning and execution of dry-docking activities from preparation through completion.
• Coordinate repair and maintenance activities with shipyards, workshops, contractors and suppliers.
• Ensure dry-docking projects are delivered safely, on schedule and within approved budgets.
• Support vessel mobilization and commissioning activities.
• Develop technical solutions for fleet and port-related projects.
• Work closely with the Workshop Superintendent to progressively increase the execution of maintenance activities internally.

3. Spare Parts & Procurement

• Coordinate with Procurement to ensure timely availability of spare parts and technical supplies.
• Plan spare-part requirements according to vessel trading schedules and maintenance plans.
• Work with purchasing teams to identify opportunities for cost reduction and supply-chain optimization.
• Monitor and close technical requisitions within agreed deadlines.
• Ensure critical spare parts are available to minimize vessel downtime.

4. Budget & Cost Control

• Assist in preparing annual operating and capital expenditure budgets for assigned vessels.
• Monitor technical expenditure against approved budgets.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising safety, quality or vessel reliability.
• Report regularly to the Senior Technical Manager on technical performance, expenditure and exceptional events.
• Ensure expenditure remains within authorized limits.

5. Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure implementation of company HSSEQ policies and procedures across assigned vessels.
• Work closely with HSSEQ teams to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Support vessel audits, inspections and corrective-action plans.
• Promote a strong safety culture among technical and onboard personnel.
• Ensure compliance with the company's Safety Management System (SMS).
• Identify and report safety, environmental, security and quality risks.
• Lead and supervise technical personnel in accordance with company objectives.
• Provide technical guidance and support to engineers and onboard teams.
• Monitor individual and team performance.
• Identify training and development requirements.
• Conduct competency assessments and contribute to performance-management plans.
• Develop familiarization programs for newly joining engineers.
• Hold regular team meetings and promote collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Foster an "One Team" culture across the technical department.

7. Reporting & Stakeholder Management

• Provide regular technical reports to the Senior Technical Manager.
• Report vessel condition, maintenance status, technical incidents and budget performance.
• Maintain effective relationships with vessel crews, procurement, operations, finance, HSSEQ, workshops, shipyards and external contractors.
• Provide technical input to management decisions concerning fleet reliability and performance.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Minimize unplanned vessel downtime.
• Ensure rapid and effective troubleshooting of technical problems.
• Manage repairs and maintenance activities efficiently.
• Maintain high standards of safety, quality and regulatory compliance.
• Balance technical reliability with cost efficiency.`li>? li>Coordinate multiple stakeholders during repairs, dry-docking and emergency situations.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Mandatory:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• STCW III/2 – Chief Engineer / Unlimited or equivalent, with relevant certification.
• Recent and relevant experience working onboard vessels as a Chief Engineer.
• Strong experience in vessel machinery, maintenance and technical operations.
• Experience with vessel repair and maintenance.
• Strong knowledge of international maritime, safety and statutory requirements.
• Strong command of English, both written and spoken.
• Good reporting and communication skills.
• Good proficiency in MS Word, Excel and MS Project or equivalent tools.

Highly preferred:

• Experience with tugs / tugboats / harbour vessels / workboats.
• Previous experience as a Technical Superintendent, Fleet Superintendent, Marine Superintendent or Technical Manager.
• Experience managing multiple vessels.
• Experience in dry-docking and major repair projects.
• Experience with Planned Maintenance Systems (PMS).
• Experience in port operations or maritime logistics.
• Experience managing technical budgets and procurement.

French: Preferred but not mandatory.

• Marine technical expertise
• Vessel maintenance & repair
• Tug / workboat technical knowledge
• Dry-docking management
• Planned Maintenance Systems
• Troubleshooting & breakdown management
• Budget and cost control
• Procurement & spare parts management
• HSSEQ / SMS compliance
• Team leadership
• Project management
• Technical reporting
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making
• Communication and stakeholder management