Safety Manager - Maritime Engineering

• Established maritime contractor in vessel maintenance, repairs and new builds
• Key leadership role driving safety, compliance and operational improvement
• Excellent company culture with long-term career opportunities

Great opportunity to lead a major safety and compliance transformation program within a growing maritime construction and engineering business. A background in vessel maintenance, refits, repairs and new builds is ideal or other similar heavy industry such manufacturing, mining, process engineering etc.

As a result of continued growth, our client is now seeking an experienced HSE (Safety) Manager to join their successful team based in the Coffs Harbour & North Coast region. With a solid reputation in the marketplace and a strong pipeline of maritime projects, this is an excellent opportunity to join a growing construction and engineering contractor in a key leadership position.

Offering a range of services to their clients, the company specialises in engineering and construction services within the marine environment involving marine asset maintenance, piling, demolition, civil works, bridge and wharf construction, refurbishment, design & construct projects and mooring infrastructure.

Reporting directly to the Group General Manager, the HSE Manager will be responsible for leading the site's health, safety, environmental and compliance functions while driving a significant site improvement and risk reduction program.

This role requires a hands-on leader who can assess operational, environmental and workplace risks, identify improvement opportunities, implement corrective actions and establish sustainable systems that support ongoing compliance and operational excellence.

The successful candidate will work closely with operational leaders, supervisors, contractors and site personnel to improve housekeeping standards, strengthen site controls, enhance compliance performance and embed a positive safety culture across the business.

The site has mostly blue-collar workers covering welding, fabricating, fitting and machine, painting, blasting etc. and the successful candidate will need a track record of working in a similar environment including working with heights and confined spaces.

Candidates can be either local or happy to consider candidates relocating to the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead site-wide HSE reviews and compliance assessments to identify risks, gaps and improvement opportunities
• Drive a major site clean-up, rectification and safety improvement program
• Conduct inspections, audits, risk assessments and compliance reviews
• Develop and implement site-specific HSE procedures, SWMS, permits and emergency plans
• Monitor corrective actions and ensure timely close-out of identified issues
• Provide coaching, training and support to operational teams and contractors
• Promote a proactive safety culture through visible leadership and engagement
• Manage incident investigations, hazard reporting and corrective action processes
• Ensure compliance with legislative, client and company requirements
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and long-term systems maturity

Qualifications and Requirements

• Diploma or higher qualification in Work Health & Safety or related discipline
• Minimum 5+ years' experience in a senior HSE leadership role
• Experience within marine, construction, industrial, manufacturing or other high-risk operational environments
• Demonstrated experience leading compliance improvement, remediation or site transformation programs
• Strong knowledge of NSW and Australian WHS legislation, regulations and environmental obligations
• Experience conducting audits, inspections, investigations and risk assessments
• Strong stakeholder engagement, coaching and leadership skills
• Experience developing and maintaining safety management systems and site documentation
• Sound understanding of ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 frameworks
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to influence positive behavioural and cultural change across all levels of an organisation
• White Card (or ability to obtain) preferred
• Lead Auditor, ICAM, Return to Work Coordinator or Cert IV Training & Assessment qualifications highly regarded

This is a permanent full-time position providing a great opportunity to work with a successful and growing organisation who offer challenging work.

If you have the skills and experience that we are looking for, click “Apply” to submit your resume or contact Lisa Naughton via email on ***email_hidden*** or Sam Barnes via email on [email protected] for further information.