Rigging Supervisor (Ship Repair)

Job Description

Job Title

Rigging Supervisor (Ship Repair)

Job Purpose

The Rigging Supervisor is responsible for leading, coordinating and supervising all rigging, lifting, vessel mooring and associated marine operations within the Ship Repair business. The role ensures that all activities are executed safely, efficiently and to the highest standards of quality whilst delivering programme, cost and customer requirements.

The post holder will provide visible frontline leadership to rigging personnel and subcontractors, ensuring effective planning, resource allocation and operational control across multiple projects. They will champion a proactive safety culture, drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory and company requirements.

As a key operational leader, the Rigging Supervisor will work collaboratively with project teams, production departments and customers to support the successful delivery of complex ship repair activities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Safety, Health & Environment

• Lead by example in promoting an uncompromising safety culture across all rigging, lifting and marine operations.
• Ensure all lifting, rigging, mooring and associated activities are planned and executed in accordance with company procedures, statutory legislation, LOLER, PUWER, risk assessments, lifting plans and safe systems of work.
• Exercise Stop Work Authority where unsafe conditions or practices are identified and escalate issues appropriately.
• Deliver daily toolbox talks, pre-task briefings and safety communications to ensure personnel understand hazards and control measures.
• Ensure appropriate PPE is worn and site safety standards are consistently maintained.
• Monitor housekeeping standards to maintain safe, clean and organised work areas.
• Ensure all lifting accessories, cranes, rigging equipment and associated plant are inspected, certified, maintained and fit for purpose prior to use.
• Support investigations into accidents, incidents and near misses, ensuring corrective actions are implemented and lessons learned are shared.
• Promote environmental compliance and minimise operational impacts where practicable.

Operational Deliver

• Plan, coordinate and supervise all rigging activities in support of ship repair, dry docking and marine operations.
• Lead vessel berthing, mooring and unmooring activities, ensuring safe and efficient execution.
• Develop daily work schedules, short-term plans and look-ahead programmes to optimise labour utilisation and project delivery.
• Ensure the timely availability of labour, lifting equipment, tools, consumables and materials required to support operational activities.
• Allocate work effectively, monitor productivity and adjust resources to meet programme requirements.
• Identify operational risks, constraints and emerging issues, implementing recovery actions to minimise disruption.
• Monitor work quality and ensure all activities are completed in accordance with engineering specifications, customer requirements and company standards.
• Liaise closely with Project Managers, Production Managers, Engineering, Planning, subcontractors, customers and Classification Society representatives to coordinate work activities.
• Support the planning and execution of complex lifting operations, ensuring compliance with approved lifting plans.
• Maintain operational oversight of the Rigging Loft, ensuring lifting equipment, rigging gear and associated assets are effectively controlled, maintained and readily available.
• Provide operational support outside normal working hours where required, including emergency response and vessel movements.
• Deputise for the Operations Manager or other operational leaders as required.

Leadership & People Management

• Provide effective day-to-day leadership, supervision and direction to rigging teams and subcontract personnel.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, professionalism and operational excellence.
• Monitor attendance, performance, conduct and productivity in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Mentor, coach and develop team members to improve technical competence and supervisory capability.
• Identify skills gaps and support training, competency assessments and succession planning initiatives.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and workforce development activities.
• Conduct regular performance discussions and provide constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Encourage open communication, employee engagement and collaborative working across all disciplines.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure all work is completed to the required quality standards and in accordance with approved procedures.
• Promote right-first-time delivery and reduce rework through effective supervision and quality assurance.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, productivity, efficiency and operational performance.
• Support the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives across the Ship Repair business.
• Ensure accurate completion of operational records, inspections and documentation.

Leadership Behaviours

• Demonstrate visible leadership through commitment to safety, integrity, professionalism and operational excellence.
• Champion the values and behaviours expected of Navantia UK.
• Build strong working relationships across operational, engineering and project teams.
• Promote diversity, inclusion and mutual respect within the workplace.
• Make sound decisions under pressure and maintain a calm, positive and solutions-focused approach.
• Deliver a consistently high level of customer service and professionalism.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Recognised vocational qualification in Rigging or a related discipline (ECITB Level 3 Diploma or equivalent).
• Significant experience supervising rigging, lifting and marine operations within ship repair, shipbuilding, offshore, heavy engineering, construction or comparable industrial environments.
• Strong working knowledge of lifting operations, rigging techniques, lifting equipment, crane operations and associated legislation.
• Demonstrable experience coordinating multidisciplinary workforces and subcontractors.
• Sound understanding of Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality Management Systems.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, lifting plans, technical specifications and work instructions.
• Proven planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver against demanding schedules.
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications and digital reporting systems.
• Desirable
• Appointed Person (Lifting Operations) qualification.
• CPCS, NPORS or equivalent lifting and plant-related certifications.
• Supervisory or Leadership qualification.
• IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH qualification.
• First Aid at Work certification.
• Experience within naval ship repair, commercial ship repair, dry docking or port operations.
• Experience supporting complex vessel docking, undocking and heavy lift operations.

Key Competencies

• Visible safety leadership and commitment to Zero Harm.
• Strong operational planning and organisational ability.
• Excellent people leadership and team development skills.
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Sound judgement and decisive problem-solving capability.
• High level of integrity, accountability and professionalism.
• Customer-focused with a commitment to quality and operational excellence.
• Resilient, adaptable and capable of performing effectively within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Commercial awareness with an understanding of programme delivery, productivity and cost control.
• Committed to continuous improvement and operational efficiency.

The duties and responsibilities outlined above are not intended to be exhaustive and may be amended from time to time to reflect the changing needs of the business. The post holder will be expected to undertake any other duties commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the role as reasonably required by the Company.

Qualifications

• CPCS, NPORS or equivalent lifting and plant-related certifications.
• Supervisory or Leadership qualification.
• IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH qualification.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the primary duties and responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive. The postholder may be required to undertake additional duties commensurate with the scope, level, and grading of the position. The job description will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains aligned with organisational requirements.

***Please note as part of the onboarding process all candidates will need to complete BPSS security clearance***

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.

We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.