Technology Lead for a Global Shipping Company

Overview
Our client is a shipping company with a fleet of 40 crude oil tanker and bulk carrier vessels. It had invested significantly in expanding its fleet and was poised for growth. However, the technology systems, ERP solutions, navigation and vessel tracking systems were outdated. Real-time information of critical metrics like cargo inventory on vessel was not available to make critical decisions. Absence of this information affected the profitability of the company. The client sought PSS’s services to identify a Technology Lead to deploy the latest technology and ERP systems for the company.

Challenge
The earlier incumbent had left the company, so there was an urgency to fill the vacancy it created. While the client was open to considering candidates from a range of heavy industry sectors, it became increasingly clear that only a candidate from the shipping industry would be a good fit because of the unique way that the business operated. It required someone who could understand how technology could be a game changer in such an environment while ensuring that onshore and offshore personnel fully understood how to use these new systems.

Strategy
After understanding our client’s business, its openness to investing in technology in a traditional sector like shipping and its expectations of an ideal candidate for the Technology Lead role, our consultant got to work. We interviewed a pool of candidates who were well-versed with the latest software solutions and technology architectures and evaluated their ability to bring about technology-driven change in a traditional company. Our client had a well-known and respected standing in the market. This helped us in convincing candidates to come to the table to talk.

Outcome
Three candidates were shortlisted and interviewed by the client. A candidate with experience in delivering technology solutions in the shipping and port operations industry was selected. He accepted the client’s offer and eventually joined our client. A few months since then, he has been working with the CTO to develop a technology architecture that it is expected to transform the fortunes of the company.