Fabrication & Recycling Superintendent

Polaris Marine; Harwood; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Harwood Slipways Pty Ltd in Harwood, NSW, operates a major shipyard with a 3,000T slipway and a 440T travel lift. A new Fabrication & Recycling division will be led by a Superintendent who oversees steel and aluminium fabrication for repairs, maintenance and projects while guiding safe vessel recycling activities.

You will work with operations, HSEQ and project teams to deliver workmanship that meets high standards, focusing on labour efficiency and value recovery in a busy regional facility.

Qualifications

• Trade qualification in boilermaking or related metal fabrication.
• At least five years’ post-trade experience in heavy fabrication, shipyard or similar environments.
• Proven supervisory/leading-hand experience.
• Knowledge of steel and aluminium fabrication, weld quality and inspection practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe day-to-day fabrication and recycling operations with a zero-harm mindset.
• Plan, schedule and supervise steel and aluminium fabrication across multiple streams.
• Allocate labour, materials and tooling to meet programme, quality and cost targets.
• Maintain site procedures, WHS and environmental obligations relevant to vessel recycling.
• Lead toolbox talks, hazard identification and risk assessments.
• Oversee inspection points, fabrication quality and survey requirements.
• Manage vessel dismantling, waste segregation and recycling value recovery.
• Coach tradespeople and supervisors, building team capability.
• Provide operational reporting on progress, labour utilisation and safety.

Skills

Boilermaking

Welding

Team leadership

Health & safety

Cost controls

Education

Trade qualification in boilermaking / metal fabrication

Job description

Fabrication & Recycling Superintendent
Harwood Slipways Pty Ltd
Harwood (Yamba) NSW Australia

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About Us

Polaris Marine Group is a trusted name in the Australian maritime sector, delivering high-quality marine services nation-wide. We specialise in: Inshore and Offshore towage; marine construction and maintenance; vessel and barge hire; shipbuilding and repairs; and crew management.

Harwood Slipways Pty Ltd (Polaris Marine Dockyards) is a key division within our group, operating a 3,000T slipway and a 440T travel lift, and supporting a wide range of services, including vessel maintenance, refits, and marine salvage & disposal.

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About the Role

Lifestyle Plus! One of the most desirable regional locations in Australia. A short drive to Byron Bay NSW, and unspoilt beaches on the beautiful Clarence River.

It is an EXCITING TIME to join our team, by running a newly created in-house Fabrication & Recycling division, in our well-established marine shipyard.

Based in our Harwood, Yamba NSW dockyard, you will oversee the steel and aluminium fabrication for repairs, maintenance and project work, whilst leading the safe and compliant vessel recycling activities. You will work closely with our operations, HSEQ and project teams, to deliver the highest standard of workmanship, through strong labour utilisation and a focus on project outcomes.

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Key Responsibilities

• Lead safe day-to-day fabrication and recycling operations with a strong zero-harm mindset.
• Plan, schedule and supervise steel and aluminium fabrication work across multiple job streams.
• Allocate labour, materials and tooling to meet programme, quality and cost requirements.
• Maintain compliance with site procedures, WHS requirements and environmental obligations relevant to vessel recycling and hazardous materials handling.
• Lead toolbox talks, hazard identification, task risk assessments and incident follow-up.
• Oversee inspection points, fabrication quality and completion standards against job specifications and survey requirements.
• Manage vessel dismantling, waste segregation, disposal documentation and recovery of recyclable value streams.
• Coach and develop tradespeople and supervisors, setting clear expectations and building team capability.
• Provide clear operational reporting on progress, labour utilisation, safety and job performance.

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What success looks like

• A visible safety leader who sets standards on the yard and follows through on actions.
• A strong trade-based leader who can earn trust through technical credibility and practical decision-making.
• An organised operator who can balance competing priorities without compromising safety, quality or schedule.
• A commercially aware supervisor who understands job cost drivers and looks for opportunities to improve efficiency and value recovery.

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What we’re looking for

• Trade qualification in boilermaking, welding or a related metal fabrication discipline.
• At least five years’ post-trade experience in heavy fabrication, shipyard or similar industrial environments.
• Previous experience in a supervisory, leading-hand or team leadership role.
• Demonstrated knowledge of steel and aluminium fabrication, weld quality and inspection practices.
• Ability to lead teams in a safety-critical environment and manage documentation, time recording and basic job cost controls.
• Forklift and elevated work platform licences, or willingness to obtain them.
• Highly regarded: experience in a commercial shipyard, dry-dock or slipway environment; familiarity with survey or class hold points; and exposure to vessel dismantling, recycling or hazardous material removal.

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Lead a diverse operational scope across both fabrication and recycling.

Play a key role in strengthening safety culture, operational discipline and team capability.

Help shape and grow vessel recycling as an emerging commercial service offering.

Work in a practical, hands-on environment where your leadership and trade expertise will make a visible impact.

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This role operates in an active industrial shipyard environment. PPE compliance is mandatory at all times on the yard. Standard hours are Monday to Friday, with some rostered overtime and occasional weekend work, as required. A pre-employment medical, including drug and alcohol screening, may be required.

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Location Plus! (Regional / Coastal NSW)

Yamba sits at the mouth of the Clarence River on the NSW North Coast, offering a relaxed coastal lifestyle surrounded by beaches, waterways, national parks and the broader Clarence Valley region. Known for its surf beaches, ocean pool, river activities, fishing, walking trails and access to nearby Angourie and Iluka, the area combines natural beauty with a welcoming regional community, quality local dining and an easy outdoor lifestyle—making it an appealing place to live and work.

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