Yard Supervisor

Role Overview

This position is responsible for keeping a project cargo yard running smoothly and safely from the moment freight arrives until it leaves. You will coordinate the daily flow of diverse cargo types—ranging from standard containers to oversized machinery and hazardous goods—while leading a team of yard operatives and making sure every lift, move, and handover follows strict safety and operational protocols. Your oversight directly affects customer trust and project timelines, making this a critical operational role that requires constant attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct all yard activities, including receiving, stacking, shifting, and dispatching project cargo, while ensuring workloads are evenly distributed among the crew and shifts.
• Plan and optimize yard layout to maximize storage density while keeping clear access routes for trucks, cranes, and other heavy equipment.
• Oversee lifting and securing operations for breakbulk, out-of-gauge freight, heavy-lift items, and dangerous goods, making sure every move follows the approved lift plan and load-securing guidelines.
• Lead pre-shift safety briefings and toolbox talks, enforce the use of personal protective equipment, and ensure all work proceeds under valid permits and active hazard controls.
• Monitor the condition of mobile equipment such as reach stackers, forklifts, and cranes, flagging mechanical issues early to minimize downtime and coordinate repairs with maintenance teams.
• Validate inbound and outbound cargo against shipping documentation, log any damage or discrepancies immediately, and maintain an accurate yard inventory with precise location tagging.
• Keep the Yard Management System and shift records current, then produce daily reports on productivity, equipment utilisation, and any incidents or near misses.
• Supervise operational staff by assigning tasks, checking attendance, managing shift handovers, and providing on-the-job coaching to improve handling techniques and safety awareness.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Diploma or bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• At least 4–6 years of hands-on experience in yard operations, terminal work, heavy-lift logistics, or project cargo handling.
• Minimum 2 years in a supervisory or lead hand role, with demonstrated ability to coordinate teams and manage shift-based work.
• Practical knowledge of lifting operations, cargo lashing and securing, and yard safety regulations, including familiarity with OSHA-style requirements.
• Experience specifically involving breakbulk, out-of-gauge cargo, heavy lifts, or oil & gas project materials is a clear advantage.
• Working knowledge of Yard Management Systems, warehouse tracking platforms, or similar cargo-identification tools is strongly preferred.
• Strong organisational and communication skills, basic computer literacy, and a natural ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• A self-starting, team-oriented mindset focused on solving operational problems before they escalate.