Leading Hand

Hastings Deering; Mackay Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Big Pay, Bigger Growth

World‑Class Training

Long‑term career stability

Tech‑driven workshop environment

Job summary

Hastings Deering in Mackay is seeking a driven Leading Hand to supervise a workshop team and support day-to-day project delivery. You’ll combine hands-on technical expertise with leadership to guide tradespeople and apprentices toward safe, high-quality outcomes.

This permanent, day shift role offers job stability and opportunities to lead and mentor a skilled team within a Caterpillar dealership network.

Qualifications

• Hold a relevant trade qualification.
• Demonstrate strong technical knowledge with heavy equipment or a similar mechanical industry.
• Bring proven leadership capability; prior Leading Hand experience is valued.
• Communicate and organise effectively to manage priorities.
• Commit to safety and quality in all tasks.
• Licences such as overhead crane or forklift are desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support the team - provide day‑to‑day leadership within the workshop.
• Allocate tasks and monitor workflow - assign daily work priorities and oversee progress.
• Provide technical guidance - hands‑on troubleshooting and expert advice.
• Ensure safety compliance - uphold safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain quality control - oversee work standards across the team.
• Support training and development - coach and upskill apprentices and tradespeople.
• Lead toolbox meetings and culture building - facilitate regular communication and teamwork.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and customers - provide updates and support during major repairs.

Skills

Team leadership

Technical knowledge

Communication

Safety focus

Education

Trade qualification (Diesel Fitter, Heavy Vehicle Mechanic, Plant Mechanic)

Tools

Overhead crane

Forklift

Job description

Kickstart your career or take the next step with Hastings Deering - where our people build something BIGGER.

We are currently seeking a driven and experienced Leading Hand to join our team and support the day‑to‑day project delivery as part of our Mackay Workshop Operations team. You'll combine hands‑on technical expertise with leadership, coordinating and supporting tradespeople and apprentices to deliver safe, high‑quality outcomes.

This is a permanent, day shift position, offering job stability and better work/life balance.

What you’ll be doing

As a Leading Hand at Hastings Deering, you will:

• Supervise and support the team - provide day‑to‑day leadership within the workshop, ensuring staff are guided, supported and working effectively.
• Allocate tasks and monitor workflow - assign daily work priorities and oversee progress so deadlines and operational targets are consistently met.
• Provide technical guidance - offer hands‑on troubleshooting and expert advice to resolve complex issues and maintain high technical standards.
• Ensure safety compliance - uphold and enforce all safety policies and procedures to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.
• Maintain quality control - oversee work standards across the team to ensure all completed tasks meet required quality expectations.
• Support training and development - assist in coaching, mentoring and upskilling apprentices and tradespeople to build capability within the team.
• Lead toolbox meetings and culture building - facilitate regular communication sessions and promote a positive, collaborative team culture.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and customers - work closely with internal teams to ensure efficient job progression while providing clear updates and support to customers throughout major repairs.

Who are we and why work with us?

Hastings Deering is proud to be one of the top 5 Caterpillar dealerships globally. We sell, rent, and offer support and parts distribution services for Cat® products across a range of industries, including resources, general construction, civil transport and commercial construction, power systems, government, primary industries and marine.

We have more than 3,500 employees across 23 business service centres throughout Queensland, Northern Territory, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, with our headquarters based in Brisbane, Australia.

When you join our team at Hastings Deering, you’ll benefit from:

• Big Pay, Bigger Growth - Competitive hourly rates with competency‑based pay rises PLUS regular scheduled increases under our current Enterprise Agreement.
• Body, Mind & Wallet Support - Free health checks, Employee Assistance Program, income protection insurance, and discounts at major retailers.
• World‑Class Training - We're one of only eight Caterpillar Centres of Excellence globally. Learn from the best in CAT and boost your skills.
• Security you can count on - Enjoy the stability of a long‑term career with Hastings Deering, backed by global strength.
• Cutting Edge Tech - Get hands‑on experience with the latest CAT technology as we shape the future of mining and heavy equipment solutions.
• Leading Hand Allowance - paid in accordance with the Hastings Deering Enterprise Agreement, recognising the additional leadership, coordination and supervisory responsibilities of the role.

What you’ll need:

A successful teammate will have experience in:

• Hold a relevant trade qualification - such as Diesel Fitter, Heavy Vehicle Mechanic, Plant Mechanic, or another recognised mechanical trade.
• Demonstrate strong technical knowledge - with experience in heavy equipment or a similar mechanical industry.
• Bring proven leadership capability - previous leadership or Leading Hand experience is highly regarded.
• Communicate and organise effectively - showing strong communication skills and the ability to manage priorities efficiently.
• Commit to safety and quality - consistently uphold safety standards, teamwork, and high‑quality workmanship.
• Licenses a plus - overhead crane and forklift tickets are desirable but not essential.

Hastings Deering follows a Pre‑Employment Process for all successful applicants, which includes two employment references, a National Police Check and a medical assessment. These checks are essential to your application, and your Talent Acquisition Partner will support you through the process.