Expansion leads to recruitment drive

The buoyant shipbuilding market presents attractive opportunities for Titan Petrochemicals Group, which is anticipating a year of expansion. It is looking to recruit energetic, entrepreneurial individuals, who have experience in the shipbuilding or oil distribution logistics business, for technical and corporate managerial functions in its Singapore office.

'Our priority is recruiting employees for technical roles in storage, shipyard, trading, and bunkering, particularly those with China experience,' said Patrick Wong Siu Hung, president of corporate office and executive director at Titan Petrochemicals Group, an oil logistics company, providing end-to-end sourcing, transportation, storage and wholesale distribution.

'However, with business growth as it is, we are seeing more employees overall, so we also need to proportionately increase the headcount for corporate functions such as human resources, finance and information technology. We have new and replacement positions available.'

The company's shipyard operations are growing rapidly and it is looking for entry-level and experienced hires, including painters, technicians, fitters, welders, engineers for hull, electrical, mechanical and piping, and other positions for project planning, costing, design, quality management and safety.

Titan prefers a good mix of employees which helps encourage creative thinking. 'For example, we need design engineers to support the installation of cement units, onboard drilling rigs and the manufacture of oil fields skid mounted equipment,' Mr Wong said. 'They would also be involved in the design of large mechanical machines, such as generators and compressors, and in the layout design of equipment such as piping, hydraulics and electrical instrumentation.'

The ship building industry is experiencing a shortage of technical people with experience. The shortage is more severe on the mainland where Titan is growing rapidly.

Titan, which employs more than 1,200 employees and maintains offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the mainland, is setting up a marine school to meet its training needs. 'Classroom education and attachments at the shipyard will be provided for new hires before they start work,' Mr Wong said. 'Adaptability is of critical importance,' Mr Wong said. 'We like candidates to have high energy levels, and to possess the potential to assume leadership positions in the medium term. They should also be strong team players, preferably with good business acumen.'

Education and development are treasured features at Titan and there are excellent opportunities for those who wish to get ahead. For those with industry experience, intermediate and advanced level training is available. Titan also provides leadership development training programmes to prepare staff.

'At Titan, we like to rotate employees in various businesses and functions as well as in different geographical locations,' Mr Wong said.

'This provides employees with different exposure, is part of their career development and prepares them for greater responsibilities as they progress in the organisation. Titan is committed to high standards of professionalism, corporate governance and risk management.'

Titan is also looking to recruit quality management. It needs staff who will expedite technical issues with customers and vendors to meet deadlines, ensure timely and correct submission of project documents and data manuals and audit to improve the quality management systems, and ensure company policies are satisfied.

It is also recruiting staff for costing roles. Duties include providing cost estimations of projects, advising in terms of cost, safety, schedule and implementation on front-end development of tender projects and executing project controls.

Founded in 2002 in Singapore, Titan has grown rapidly. Its transportation business operates one of the largest tanker fleets in Asia. Aggressive expansion in Titan's storage and shipyard businesses means it is recruiting at all levels.

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In brief

Titan is recruiting employees for technical roles in shipbuilding and oil distribution logistics - including storage, shipyard, trading and bunkering

Entry-level and experienced jobs for painters, technicians, fitters, welders, engineers for hull, electrical, mechanical and piping

Other job openings include project planning, costing, design, quality management and safety positions - relevant experience required

New recruits should be team players with energy, enthusiasm, adaptability and good business acumen

The company provides both classroom and on-the-job training