Chief Technology Officer for a Large Global Shipping Company

Our client is a market leader in the shipping and transportation industry with a large fleet of crude oil tanker and bulk carrier vessels. With the consolidation of the global shipping industry over the last few years, the client had invested significantly in expanding its fleet and was poised for growth. However, the technology systems, ERP solutions, navigation and vessel tracking systems were quite outdated. As a result real-time information of critical metrics like cargo inventory on vessels was not available to make critical decisions. Absence of this information affected the profitability of the company. The client sought Ray & Berndtson’s services to identify a person who had a comprehensive understanding of the shipping industry as well as a track record and capability to deploy the latest technology and ERP systems for the company’s offshore operations and its fleet.

The earlier incumbent was leaving the organization for retirement, 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 relatively small shipping industry would be a good fit because of the unique nature of the shipping business. 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.

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 Chief Technology Officer role, our consultants 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.

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 CEO to develop a technology architecture that it is expected to transform the fortunes of the company.