Port Manager – Dampier (Towage & Loadmaster Services)

Get to Know Us

For more than 190 years, Svitzer has supported port operations through a focus on safety, service, and teamwork. Our shore teams across Australia and Papua New Guinea keep things moving - from scheduling and systems to asset management and shore-based support. Join a company where your work has impact, and your team has your back.

Due to internal movement, we’re looking for a Port Manager to join our Dampier team on a permanent, full-time basis (Monday to Friday). This is a key leadership role, working closely with our client Woodside and leading an engaged and high-performing team on the ground. We’re seeking someone who brings a strong maritime background, proven leadership capability, and the ability to understand and operate within complex contractual and commercial environments.

This role is based locally in Dampier. We encourage applications from candidates in the Pilbara, or those willing to relocate. This is not a FIFO position.

Why You’ll Want to Join Us

This is more than a traditional Port Manager role. You’ll lead across a broad operational scope, including towage and loadmaster services, working in close partnership with Woodside. You’ll be responsible for leading a large team across both shore and vessel operations, with the opportunity to influence how work gets done and drive outcomes that are safe, efficient and commercially sound in one of Australia’s most significant ports.

How You’ll Make a Difference

Reporting to the General Manager based in Fremantle, your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and develop a large operational team, fostering a strong safety culture, accountability and engagement

• Oversee day-to-day port operations, ensuring safe, reliable and efficient service delivery

• Apply your maritime expertise to support operational decision-making and continuous improvement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Woodside and other key stakeholders

• Demonstrate strong contract awareness, ensuring operations align with contractual and commercial requirements

• Partner with People & Culture on workforce planning, diversity and inclusion, recruitment and capability development

• Contribute to budgeting, cost control and supplier management, identifying opportunities to improve performance

• Provide clear and accurate reporting on operational performance, safety outcomes and key metrics to support informed decision-making

• Provide visible, on-the-ground leadership, stepping in to resolve operational challenges as they arise

• Lead compliance and audit readiness, driving continuous improvement across safety and operational performance

What You’ll Bring

To thrive in this role, you’ll bring:

• Strong maritime industry experience, with a solid understanding of port operations

• Proven leadership experience, including leading and developing large, diverse teams

• Demonstrated contract and commercial awareness, with the ability to operate within complex client environments

• Experience in operational reporting, with the ability to interpret data, track performance and communicate insights clearly

• A practical, solutions-focused mindset, with the confidence to make decisions and take ownership

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across crews, clients and stakeholders

• Well-developed organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment

• A strong safety focus, with a commitment to leading by example and continuously improving how work is done

Building a Diverse Workplace

In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply Now' button and create a Candidate Home to manage your applications.