Case Study: Securing a Senior Manager, Marine Operations in a Challenging Talent Market
Job title of Permanent Recruitment: Senior Manager, Marine Operations
Recruitment Type: Exclusive to Faststream Recruitment
Business Type: Global Shipping Line
Location: California (CA), United States (US)
Key Stakeholders: Human Resources Manager
Faststream Recruitment Representative: Matthew Barwell, Executive Consultant, Faststream Recruitment Americas
Our client, a global shipping line with international operations, partnered with us on an exclusive basis to appoint a Senior Manager, Marine Operations in California. Having previously supported the business with key hires, including their HR Manager, we were engaged to deliver a critical leadership hire to strengthen their marine operations function.
The Challenge
This was a complex and time-sensitive hire, shaped by several market and location challenges:
Highly niche skillset required: Candidates needed Ro-Ro experience, a licensed deck officer background, and proven leadership capability
Limited talent pool in the US: Very few senior professionals with relevant Ro-Ro expertise
Location constraints: The high cost of living made relocation to California less attractive
Demanding role requirements: Including weekend work, domestic travel, and strong communication skills
Urgency: The business needed to secure the right hire quickly to maintain operational continuity
Our Solution
We delivered a tailored, contingent recruitment approach with exclusivity, ensuring full focus on the assignment.
Targeted Search Strategy
We began with a detailed briefing to fully understand the technical, operational, and cultural requirements of the role. From there, we:
Conducted market mapping to identify relevant talent across the US and internationally
Executed a targeted outreach strategy focused on passive candidates with Ro-Ro expertise
Leveraged our existing network of maritime professionals
Screening & Shortlisting
Carried out in-depth screening to assess technical capability, leadership experience, and cultural fit
Presented a highly curated shortlist aligned to the client’s exact requirements
Consultative Support
Provided salary benchmarking insights to ensure market competitiveness
Maintained regular communication and alignment with the client throughout
Supported interview coordination, offer management, and onboarding
The Results
Time to hire: Successful candidate identified and submitted within weeks
Speed: Role filled within 3 weeks of candidate submission
Quality: Secured a candidate with the precise Ro-Ro experience and leadership capability required
Impact: Strengthened the client’s marine operations leadership and ensured business continuity
Additional Value Delivered
Reduced time and internal resource strain on the client’s HR team
Delivered access to a hard-to-reach talent pool
Enhanced hiring confidence through market insight and benchmarking
Enabled faster operational stability through a high-impact hire
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