Manager System

Status: Planned Feature - This system is currently in development. This article describes how managers will work when released.

As your empire grows, you can't make every decision yourself. Managers are NPCs you hire to handle routine operations - they make decisions while you focus on strategy.

Managers and captains are not the same job

Both are people you hire and pay, and both take work off your hands, so it is worth being clear about which one you want.

A captain runs one fleet and its orders. They are crew: they sit in a bunk, they travel with the ship, and their level decides how much of that fleet's work you have to spell out by hand. Captains exist today - see Crew System.

A manager runs part of your company, across every fleet and facility in it. They are not aboard anything. Where a captain asks "what should this fleet do next", a manager asks "where should the company be putting its ships and its production at all".

If one fleet keeps needing your attention, hire a better captain. If you have stopped being able to keep track of the whole operation, that is what a manager is for.

Why Managers?

Trade routes are rules you define. Managers are decision-makers who adapt to situations.

Think of routes as "always do this" and managers as "figure out the best way."

Manager Types

Trade Manager

What they do:

• Analyze market prices across the galaxy
• Find profitable trade opportunities
• Adjust pricing on your market orders
• React to price changes

Best for: Corporations with multiple trade routes who want optimization without micromanagement.

Production Manager

What they do:

• Optimize your production mix based on current demand
• Handle input shortages (find alternatives, pause production)
• Balance quality vs. quantity
• Manage storage levels

Best for: Corporations running production facilities.

Logistics Manager

What they do:

• Coordinate fleet movements to avoid conflicts
• Optimize ship assignments to routes
• Handle ship maintenance scheduling
• Balance workload across fleet

Best for: Large fleets (10+ ships) where coordination matters.

Security Manager

What they do:

• Monitor threats to your operations
• Assign escorts to vulnerable ships
• React to attacks (flee, fight, call for help)
• Plan safe routes through dangerous space

Best for: Operations in Mid/Low-Sec space where threats exist.

Hiring Managers

Finding Managers

Managers are hired from the Labor Market, available at most stations:

1. Go to Station Services → Labor Market
2. Filter by "Managers"
3. Browse available candidates

Manager Attributes

Each manager has stats that affect their performance:

Specializations

Managers have expertise in specific areas:

Match specializations to your operations.

Salary

Managers require ongoing payment:

Salary is deducted daily. If you can't pay, managers may leave.

Configuring Managers

Autonomy Levels

You control how much freedom managers have:

Higher autonomy = less micromanagement, but less control.

Decision Limits

Set boundaries for manager decisions:

Trade Manager limits:

• Maximum price deviation: ±10%
• Maximum transaction size: 10,000 credits
• Forbidden routes: [List]

Production Manager limits:

• Minimum quality level: Standard
• Maximum production shift: 20%
• Priority products: [List]

Reporting Preferences

Choose what managers report:

Manager Performance

Efficiency Rating

Managers have an efficiency rating (0-100%):

• 90-100% - Excellent, making good decisions
• 70-89% - Good, minor optimization possible
• 50-69% - Adequate, consider training or replacement
• Below 50% - Poor, actively hurting your operations

Experience Growth

Managers learn on the job:

• Successful operations: +Experience
• Handled crises: +Experience
• Mistakes: Learning opportunity (or firing opportunity)

Experienced managers are valuable - don't fire them lightly.

Manager Conflicts

Multiple managers may conflict:

• Trade Manager wants to sell at Station A
• Logistics Manager wants ships elsewhere

Resolution: Set manager priorities, or let them negotiate (they usually figure it out).

When to Hire Managers

Don't Need Managers If:

• Small operation (< 5 ships)
• Simple trade routes
• You enjoy micromanagement
• Tight budget

Do Need Managers If:

• Large fleet (10+ ships)
• Complex production chains
• Operations in multiple systems
• Want to focus on expansion, not daily operations

Manager Tips

1. Start with one manager - Learn the system before expanding
2. Match specialization to operations - A combat specialist won't help trading
3. Set conservative limits initially - Expand autonomy as trust builds
4. Review performance regularly - Fire underperformers
5. Pay competitive salaries - Underpaid managers leave or slack

The Manager Trap

Common mistake: Hiring too many managers too early.

A Trade Manager costs 2,000/day. If they only save you 1,500/day in optimization... you're losing money.

Rule of thumb: A manager should generate 3x their salary in value.

Future Features

Coming in future updates:

• Manager skill trees
• Manager events and stories
• Manager relationships
• Specialized manager types
• Manager training programs

Related Topics

• Automation Basics - Overview of automation
• Trade Routes - Routes vs. managers
• Crew System - Crew vs. managers (different roles)