Job Description

Get to Know Us

At Svitzer, keeping ports running and global trade moving takes more than crews on the water. Behind every safe towage job is a shore-based team making it happen. From operations and technical to planning, systems, and compliance - we rely on capable people who understand the importance of doing things properly. If you’re looking for meaningful work with a tight-knit team that backs each other - you’ll be in good company.

Do you have a passion for maritime operations and crew leadership? If so, we’re looking for an Operations Superintendent to join our team in Melbourne on a permanent full time basis.

Why You’ll Want to Join Us

This is a hands-on leadership role at the full-time operations - where your ability to coordinate crews, manage day-to-day schedules, and respond to operational challenges will make a real difference. You’ll be the go-to for ensuring vessels are resourced, supported, and running to plan. Working alongside the Port Manager and leading the frontline, you’ll step up as a key leader, helping shape a safe, reliable, and high-performing operation across our Victorian ports.

How You’ll Make a Difference

Reporting to the Port Manager, your key responsibilities will include:

• Oversee day-to-day towage operations across Victorian ports, ensuring safe and efficient vessel deployment and operational continuity
• Act as the key liaison between shore management and vessel crews, providing hands-on operational and leadership support
• Manage crewing activities including recruitment, onboarding, workforce planning, training, and employee relations
• Support vessel maintenance, contractor management, and statutory survey compliance in partnership with the Technical Superintendent
• Build and maintain strong relationships with harbourmasters, port authorities, agents, and key operational stakeholders
• Drive compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality management systems, including incident reporting and risk management
• Support budgeting, cost optimisation, and operational improvement initiatives across the Victorian port operations

What You’ll Bring

To thrive in this role, you’ll bring:

• Proven experience in an operational maritime or marine environment, with strong knowledge of crewing models and workforce coordination
• Solid understanding of occupational health & safety obligations, compliance systems, and vessel certification requirements
• Experience managing budgets, contractors, suppliers, and external service providers to support efficient operations
• Ability to work autonomously and make confident operational decisions while contributing effectively within a small team
• Strong leadership and relationship-building skills, with the ability to motivate and support vessel crews and contractors
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines and respond effectively in emergency situations
• Proficient in MS Office Suite; tertiary, marine certification, planned maintenance software, or commercial experience highly regarded

Building a Diverse Workplace

In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!

How to Apply

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