Operations Manager – Seafood Industry - PE at Ellahi Consulting

Location

• Based in Port Elizabeth, St Francis Bay, or Cape Town.
• Extensive travel to ports, vessels, and operational sites.
• Contract: Permanent position. Subject to a 6-month probation period.

Working Hours

• Ordinary hours: 08:00–17:00.
• Weekend work, docking-day attendance, seasonal operations, and operational callouts required.
• Reasonable overtime may be required.
• Must be available outside normal office hours when operationally necessary.

Qualifications

Minimum

Degree or qualification in one of the following:

• Fisheries Management
• Maritime Studies
• Marine Engineering
• Operations Management
• Business Management or related field
• Appropriate skipper, maritime, or vessel certification (where required).
• Valid medical fitness certification (where applicable).

Preferred

• SAMSA Officer endorsement.
• Fishing industry qualifications.
• Health & Safety certification.
• Squid fishery operational qualifications.

Experience Required

Essential

• Minimum 10 years' commercial fishing industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years in an operational management role.
• Experience managing multiple fishing vessels.
• Experience supervising vessel crews.
• Experience with fisheries regulations, permits, and maritime legislation.
• Strong vessel maintenance and operational planning experience.

Preferred

• Squid fishing experience.
• Deep-sea fleet management.
• Quota management.
• Docking and offloading coordination.

Key Competencies

• Leadership
• Strong leadership.
• People management.
• Coaching and mentoring.
• Conflict resolution.
• Decision-making.
• Operational
• Fleet planning.
• Vessel scheduling.
• Resource allocation.
• Operational analysis.
• Project coordination.

Technical

• Squid fishing operations.
• Vessel maintenance.
• Maritime legislation.
• Fisheries regulations.
• Safe manning requirements.
• Fishing rights compliance.
• Docking and offloading operations.
• Financial
• Budget preparation.
• Cost control.
• Financial analysis.
• Operational reporting.

Behavioural

• High accountability.
• Ethical and professional conduct.
• Results-oriented.
• Calm under pressure.
• Strong communication skills.
• Practical problem-solving.
• Organised and detail-oriented.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Personal Attributes
• Integrity and honesty.
• Reliability and discipline.
• Strong work ethic.
• Practical, hands-on approach.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Sound judgement under pressure.
• Commitment to safety.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.
• Willingness to work flexible hours according to fishing operations.

Compliance Requirements

The incumbent must:

• Comply with all Company policies and procedures.
• Observe all lawful instructions.
• Protect confidential information.
• Exercise reasonable care over Company assets.
• Comply with all maintenance standards.
• Maintain professional conduct.
• Promote a culture of safety, compliance, and operational excellence.

Company Information

Key Responsibilities

Office Management

• Manage day-to-day office operations.
• Lead the Office Team, including the Shore Skipper.
• Oversee the HR function through the HR Manager.
• Ensure staffing, succession planning, and employee development.
• Manage office administration and facilities.
• Develop and improve office procedures.
• Control departmental budgets.
• Promote communication between office and operational teams.
• Efficient office operations.
• Effective workforce planning.
• Budget control.
• Strong collaboration across teams.

Fleet & Vessel Operations

• Manage daily operations of the squid fishing fleet.
• Ensure vessels are seaworthy and operationally ready.
• Coordinate vessel deployment throughout the season.
• Manage docking schedules and vessel turnaround.
• Ensure vessels are fully provisioned.
• Monitor utilisation and minimise downtime.
• Improve operational efficiency.
• Maintain communication with skippers at sea.

Key Results

• Maximum vessel availability.
• Reduced downtime.
• Improved fleet productivity.
• Cost-effective operations.
• Operational readiness maintained.
• Crew Management & Labour Relations
• Manage all vessel crews.
• Ensure compliance with safe manning requirements.
• Recruit, onboard, and deploy crew.
• Coordinate leave and relief crews.
• Conduct performance reviews.
• Manage discipline, grievances, and labour issues.
• Promote crew welfare and safety culture.
• Liaise with labour representatives.
• Full manning compliance.
• Low absenteeism.
• High crew retention.
• Positive labour relations.
• Strong crew performance.
• Fishing Operations & Performance
• Monitor fishing performance.
• Analyse catch rates and productivity.
• Monitor quota utilisation.
• Improve fishing efficiency.
• Review landing reports and statistics.
• Benchmark vessel performance.
• Improve catch quality and yields.
• Optimise vessel deployment.

Key Results

• Improved Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE).
• Increased landings.
• Better catch quality.
• Optimal quota utilisation.
• Vessel Maintenance & Asset Management
• Manage preventative maintenance programmes.
• Monitor vessel condition.
• Coordinate repairs and surveys.
• Work with engineering teams and contractors.
• Maintain critical spare parts.
• Coordinate dry docking.
• Protect Company vessels and equipment.
• Reduced breakdowns.
• Increased vessel availability.
• Extended asset life.
• Lower maintenance costs.
• Docking & Offloading Operations
• Coordinate docking activities.
• Arrange additional offloading labour when required.
• Supervise offloading.
• Ensure quick vessel turnaround.
• Coordinate with processing facilities.
• Resolve operational bottlenecks.
• Efficient offloading.
• Reduced turnaround times.
• Minimal operational delays.
• Maritime Safety & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure compliance with:

• SAMSA requirements.
• DFFE permit conditions.
• Fisheries legislation.
• Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Maritime Labour Convention.
• Company safety policies.

Additional responsibilities:

• Maintain vessel certification.
• Monitor crew competency certification.
• Coordinate inspections and audits.
• Conduct emergency drills.
• Investigate incidents.
• Implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with fishing rights and permits.
• Full regulatory compliance.
• Successful audits.
• Reduced incidents.
• Safe operations.
• Financial & Cost Control
• Prepare operational budgets.
• Monitor vessel operating costs.
• Control maintenance expenditure.
• Monitor fuel consumption.
• Manage crew-related costs.
• Review voyage profitability.
• Analyse cost trends.
• Implement cost-saving initiatives.
• Approve operational expenditure.
• Budget compliance.
• Reduced operating costs.
• Improved profitability.
• Accurate financial forecasting.
• Stakeholder Management
• Liaise With
• Port authorities.
• Vessel owners.
• Marine contractors.
• Service providers.
• Fishing cooperatives.
• Processing facilities.
• Vessel skippers and crews.
• Coordinate
• Permit applications.
• Regulatory documentation.
• Vessel inspections.
• Industry engagement.
• Company representation with regulators and industry stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder relationships.
• Timely permit renewals.
• Effective regulatory engagement.
• Company Responsibilities
• Perform all lawful and reasonable duties assigned by Management.
• Follow lawful operational instructions.
• Protect confidential Company information.
• Safeguard Company assets.
• Act honestly and in the Company's best interests.
• Maintain the Company's reputation and goodwill.