- Shift and Terminal Operations
- Lead container and general cargo terminal activity during the shift, maintaining focus on safety, productivity, service and cost control.
- Deliver daily operational KPIs and promptly escalate issues that may affect safety, vessel performance, yard performance or customer commitments.
- Ensure adequate deployment of equipment operators, Rigger 1s, rigging crews, supervisors and field manpower across vessel, yard, gate and customs activities.
- Review daily rosters and work allocation to support efficient manpower use and controlled overtime.
- Ensure final resource deployment is as per the planned deployment, resources allocated as assigned.
- Ensure vessel berthing, cargo operations and sailing activities are supported in line with the operational plan.
- Make timely operational adjustments where conditions change and escalate significant deviations to the Execution Manager.
- Lifting and Rigging Oversight
- Provide competent shift-level oversight of Rigger 1s and lifting teams engaged in cargo handling, heavy lifts, breakbulk and general cargo operations.
- Confirm that each lift has the required approved lift plan, risk assessment, method statement, permits and toolbox talk before work starts.
- Verify load weight, centre of gravity, lifting points, rigging arrangement, sling angles, working load limits, crane capacity and operating radius against the approved lifting documents.
- Ensure lifting accessories are correctly selected, compatible, certified, identifiable, within inspection date and visually checked before use.
- Confirm that crane operators, riggers, banksmen and lifting supervisors understand their roles, communication method, exclusion zone and stop-work arrangements.
- Oversee rigging, connection, trial lift, load control, landing and de-rigging, ensuring loads remain stable and personnel remain clear of suspended loads and pinch points.
- Stop any lifting operation where the plan, equipment, competence, weather, ground conditions, visibility or communication is inadequate or unsafe.
- Ensure deviations from an approved lifting arrangement are not made without review and approval through the applicable lifting process.
- Coordinate safe handling of abnormal, oversized, high-value or critical cargo and escalate lifts outside the role holder’s authority.
- Rigger 1 Team Supervision
- Assign Rigger 1s and rigging personnel according to cargo type, lift complexity, competence and shift priorities.
- Check that Rigger 1 qualifications and supporting competency records remain valid for the duties assigned.
- Monitor rigging standards in the field and coach personnel on safe equipment selection, hitch configuration, load control, signaling and housekeeping.
- Ensure pre-use checks are completed and defective, damaged or uncertified lifting gear is removed from service, tagged and quarantined.
- Lead or support practical briefings, toolbox talks and lessons learned following lifting observations, near misses or incidents.
- Identify development needs and coordinate refresher training, reassessment or mentoring with the responsible training function.
- Safety, Compliance and Incident Management
- Ensure operations comply with approved SOPs, work instructions, lifting procedures and applicable HSSE requirements.
- Lead shift safety talks and toolbox talks and confirm controls are understood before operational work begins.
- Work with HSSE on accidents, incidents, near misses, equipment damage and unsafe conditions, preserving evidence and supporting investigations.
- Observe and report terminal damage or changing conditions that may affect lifting, traffic movement, personnel safety or productivity.
- Promote a positive stop-work culture and ensure work resumes only after hazards and control gaps have been addressed.
- Apply performance and disciplinary processes fairly and consistently in accordance with company policy.
- People, Performance and Improvement
- Manage shift performance, attendance, welfare, coaching, appraisal and development of assigned personnel.
- Forecast multi-skill operator and rigging training needs and coordinate requirements with the responsible teams.
- Measure performance against agreed criteria, procedures and operational targets.
- Develop and improve SOPs, work instructions, KPIs, interfaces and safe systems of work for waterside and landside operations.
- Lead continuous improvement actions that increase safety, equipment utilisation, cargo flow and operational reliability.
- Coordination and Stakeholder Management
- Liaise with Planning, Port Control, HSSE, Technical Services, Maintenance and other support teams to maintain safe and efficient operations.
- Coordinate with shipping lines, vessel representatives, agents and contractors regarding cargo readiness, lifting requirements, delays and operational constraints.
- Coordinate with Customs and relevant authorities on daily operational matters within the role’s responsibility.
- Maintain clear shift handovers covering vessel status, yard status, lifting activities, equipment condition, manpower, restrictions and outstanding actions.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- More than 10 years of terminal, port, marine logistics or comparable cargo operations experience.
- Minimum 5 years in a supervisory or management role covering waterside and landside operations.
- Demonstrated experience supervising rigging teams and lifting activities involving breakbulk, general cargo and heavy or abnormal loads.
- Practical knowledge of lift plans, rigging arrangements, load weights and centres of gravity, sling angles, WLL/SWL, de-rating, crane charts and exclusion zones.
- Ability to inspect lifting accessories before use and identify defects, certification gaps and incorrect equipment selection.
- Experience with operational start-up, process mapping, SOPs, work instructions, risk controls and continuous improvement.
- Strong leadership, decision-making, communication, stakeholder management and incident-response skills.
- Ability to train, coach and assess operational behaviour in the field.
Mandatory Qualifications
- Valid Rigger 1 qualification/certification recognised by the company and applicable project or site requirements.
- Bachelor’s degree in port, terminal, logistics, engineering or related studies, or equivalent relevant operational experience.
- Valid training in lifting and rigging safety, banksman/signaling and lifting gear inspection appropriate to assigned duties.
- Required company safety, permit-to-work and emergency-response training.
Preferred
- Experience with mobile harbour cranes, vessel cranes, mobile cranes and varied breakbulk or project cargo.
- Experience reviewing lift plans, method statements and lifting risk assessments.
- English required; Arabic capability is advantageous.
