Director of Maintenance & Repair (M&R)

The Director of Maintenance & Repair (M&R) for a container shipping company is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the maintenance, repair, top loader, forklift, crane equipment and operational readiness of the company’s container fleet, including dry, reefer (refrigerated), and specialized containers. This individual ensures that all equipment meets safety, regulatory, and service standards while optimizing costs, vendor performance, and operational efficiency across global or regional terminals.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership & Planning:
   • Develop and implement long-term M&R strategies aligned with company goals and global shipping standards.
   • Oversee the planning and budgeting for container maintenance and repair across all terminals.
   • Lead initiatives to reduce M&R costs while improving equipment quality and turnaround time.
   • Supervise container inspections, repair cycles, and depot management to ensure equipment availability and reliability.
   • Implement KPIs to track performance, quality, downtime, and repair accuracy.
   • Establish and manage relationships with third-party depots, repair vendors, and inspection agencies.
   • Negotiate contracts and service-level agreements (SLAs) with M&R providers and monitor performance.
   • Conduct audits of depots and repair facilities to ensure compliance and cost control.
   • Manage and analyze repair estimates, invoices, and warranty claims.
   • Identify opportunities for cost savings through preventive maintenance, vendor optimization, and automation.
   • Generate reports on M&R expenses, trends, and budget variance for executive leadership.
   • Lead and mentor a team of M&R managers, technical specialists, and coordinators across various locations.
   • Foster a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
   • Ensure proper training and development of M&R personnel.
2. Technology & Innovation:
   • Promote the use of digital tools for container tracking, repair estimation, and inspection documentation.
   • Implement and maintain M&R management systems to improve accuracy and efficiency.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Maritime Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Experience:
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in container maintenance and repair operations, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
  • Strong background in both dry and reefer container systems.
  • Experience in managing global or multi-regional depot operations and third-party vendors.
• Technical Knowledge:
  • In-depth understanding of container construction, repair criteria (IICL, ISO), CSC inspections, and reefer technology.
    
• Leadership Skills:
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional and geographically distributed teams.
  • Strong communication, negotiation, and decision-making capabilities.
• Analytical & Financial Acumen:
  • Ability to analyze operational data and drive strategic decisions to optimize cost and efficiency.
  • Competence in budgeting, forecasting, and vendor financial performance reviews