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.

We are looking for a proven leader with hands-on experience managing teams in operational settings—ideally within the maritime industry. You will bring a strong track record in delivering timely, cost-effective solutions to technical and operational challenges, along with sound experience in budget development and management.

Why You’ll Want to Join Us

This role combines office-based work in Melbourne with regular travel to our tugs in the regional ports of Geelong and Westernport — giving you variety, exposure, and hands-on experience across different locations. You will be part of a close-knit team in an essential industry, with access to learning and development opportunities, and clear pathways for career progression. If you are looking to grow your career in a role that values initiative, practical thinking, and teamwork, this is a great place to start.

How You’ll Make a Difference

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

• Lead crew rostering across Victoria, ensuring reliable coverage and proactively managing short-notice absences to maintain operational stability.
• Support crew engagement and development leading initiatives that enhance team culture and career pathways.
• Act as the first point of contact for crew-related queries, supporting engagement and welfare.
• Drive adoption of crew planning tools to ensure efficiency and support fatigue management rules.
• Partner with the Port Manager and Operations Manager to coordinate timely recruitment and onboarding of qualified crew.
• Serve as the primary liaison with Ports Victoria and regional port authorities (Geelong and Westernport), ensuring strong relationships and operational alignment.
• Support cost management of assigned operational budget items, monitoring spend and identifying efficiencies without compromising safety or service.
• Provide on-the-ground support to crew and vessels in regional ports, resolving day-to-day issues and maintaining operational continuity.
• Manage procurement of parts and supplies and oversee third-party contractors for vessel and facility maintenance to ensure quality and compliance.
• Promote a strong safety culture, support incident investigations, and uphold Svitzer’s safety standards across all activities.

What You’ll Bring

To thrive in this role, you will bring a positive mindset, a passion for the maritime industry, and a desire to grow your career in an onshore operational environment. Ideally, you will also have:

• Hands-on experience in the maritime sector, along with a strong interest in building a future in shore-based marine operations.
• An understanding of classification societies and statutory bodies is a plus — but don’t worry, we are happy to support your learning on the job.
• A collaborative attitude and a proactive approach — you enjoy being part of a team, stepping up when needed, and making a difference.
• Great time management skills, you know how to juggle priorities, stay organised, and keep calm under pressure.
• Confident and respectful communication, you can build positive relationships with a range of stakeholders and represent the team professionally.

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

To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply Now' button and create a Candidate Home to manage your applications.