Hull Construction Manager

WTS Energy; Eastern Province; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

WTS Energy is seeking a highly experienced Hull Construction Manager to lead all hull fabrication, block construction and erection activities for newbuilding vessel projects. The role focuses on safety, schedule adherence, quality and budget compliance within a shipyard environment.

You will coordinate with engineering, planning, procurement, quality, outfitting and project teams, manage manpower and resources, and drive continuous improvement across hull construction operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture, Ocean Engineering, Shipbuilding Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Additional project management or shipbuilding certifications are a plus.
• 15-20 years of experience in shipbuilding, shipyard operations, or heavy engineering projects.
• Proven experience in hull fabrication, block assembly, block erection, and shipbuilding construction activities.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and direct hull construction activities from steel fabrication to block erection and completion.
• Ensure schedules and production targets meet contractual milestones.
• Coordinate construction with Engineering, Planning, Procurement, Quality, Outfitting, and Project teams.
• Monitor progress and implement actions to recover delays and optimize resources.
• Ensure safe and efficient use of workforce, facilities, equipment and materials.
• Lead steel fabrication workshops, panel lines, sub-assembly and block construction operations.
• Manage block erection within dry docks and erection areas; coordinate lifting and transport.
• Develop manpower loading plans and allocate supervision, subcontractors and production personnel.
• Review project schedules and provide production input during planning; monitor KPI, manhours and earned value.
• Ensure compliance with classification society requirements, client specs and company QA procedures.
• Promote safety culture; ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental requirements; conduct risk assessments.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

The Hull Construction Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling all hull construction activities associated with newbuilding vessel projects. The role leads hull fabrication, block assembly, block erection, and related production activities to ensure vessels are constructed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with quality and classification requirements.

The position is responsible for maximizing productivity, optimizing resources, managing manpower, and driving continuous improvement across all hull construction operations.

Production Management

• Manage all hull construction activities from steel fabrication through block assembly, block erection, and structural completion.
• Ensure project schedules and production targets are achieved in line with contractual milestones.
• Coordinate construction activities with Engineering, Planning, Procurement, Quality, Outfitting, and Project teams.
• Monitor production progress and implement corrective actions to recover schedule delays.
• Ensure efficient utilization of workforce, facilities, equipment, and materials.

Hull Fabrication & Block Construction

• Lead steel fabrication workshops, panel lines, sub-assembly, assembly, and block construction operations.
• Manage block erection and alignment activities within dry docks, slipways, and erection areas.
• Monitor welding, structural fabrication, dimensional control, and NDT activities.
• Ensure compliance with approved drawings, specifications, and class requirements.
• Coordinate heavy lifting and transportation of blocks and modules.

Resource & Manpower Management

• Develop manpower loading plans based on project requirements.
• Allocate supervisors, foremen, subcontractors, and production personnel effectively.
• Monitor manpower productivity and implement improvement initiatives.
• Support recruitment, training, performance management, and succession planning activities.

Project Planning & Control

• Review project schedules and provide production input during project planning phases.
• Participate in construction strategy development and build sequence planning.
• Monitor production KPIs, manhours, productivity rates, and earned value performance.
• Support budget preparation and cost-control activities.

Quality Management

• Ensure construction activities comply with:
• Classification Society requirements
• Client specifications
• Company quality procedures
• International shipbuilding standards
• Participate in inspections with Owners, Class Surveyors, and regulatory bodies.
• Support resolution of NCRs and quality-related issues.

HSE Responsibilities

• Promote a strong safety culture throughout hull construction operations.
• Ensure compliance with all Health, Safety, Environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct regular safety reviews and risk assessments.
• Ensure safe execution of heavy lifting, confined space, hot work, and work-at-height activities.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Six Sigma, and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Analyze production bottlenecks and improve workflow efficiency.
• Drive innovation in fabrication, assembly, and erection methodologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Naval Architecture, Ocean Engineering, Shipbuilding Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Additional project management or shipbuilding certifications will be an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 15-20 years of experience in shipbuilding, shipyard operations, or heavy engineering projects.
• Proven experience in managing hull fabrication, block assembly, block erection, and shipbuilding construction activities.
• Strong track record in leading large multidisciplinary teams within a shipyard environment.
• Experience managing subcontractors, project schedules, manpower, and budgets.
• Previous experience in large commercial, naval, offshore, or newbuild vessel projects is preferred.