Careers at Cactus

Cactus Ship Repair Inc. is seeking an experienced, hands-on Shipyard and Marine Operations Manager to lead the overall operation of our shipyard and marine assets in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia.

This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of the shipyard, its employees, equipment, facilities, and marine fleet, including tugs, workboats, barges, and related marine assets.

Operating in a small, privately owned business environment, the successful candidate will be comfortable moving between strategic management and day-to-day operations. This role requires someone who can lead people, solve technical and operational problems, work directly with customers and senior executives, and take ownership of the performance of the operation.

The position is well suited to an experienced Marine Engineer, Naval Architect, Marine or Civil Engineer, or an individual with equivalent shipyard, vessel, marine construction, or marine operations experience.

Key Responsibilities

Shipyard & Marine Operations

• Provide overall leadership and management of shipyard and marine operations.
• Oversee the safe and efficient operation, maintenance, and deployment of company marine assets, including tugs, workboats, barges, and associated equipment.
• Coordinate ship repair, maintenance, marine construction, and other yard projects from planning through completion.
• Establish work priorities and allocate labour, equipment, and marine assets to meet operational and customer requirements.
• Maintain a strong understanding of vessel condition, maintenance requirements, inspections, certifications, and regulatory obligations.
• Ensure company facilities, vessels, machinery, vehicles, tools, and equipment are properly maintained and available for operations.
• Support estimating, project planning, scheduling, procurement, subcontractor coordination, and execution of marine and shipyard work.
• Respond effectively to changing operational requirements, vessel schedules, weather, customer needs, and other demands typical of a working marine environment.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead and manage a diverse team of skilled tradespeople, vessel crews, supervisors, and office/administrative staff.
• Provide clear direction, accountability, coaching, and performance management.
• Coordinate multiple trades and disciplines to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and to the required standard.
• Build a workplace culture based on safety, teamwork, productivity, workmanship, and respect.
• Participate in recruitment, workforce planning, training, and development.
• Be visible and engaged in daily operations and comfortable working directly with employees in the yard, aboard vessels, and in the office.
• Foster the practical, collaborative approach required in a small, privately-owned and operated business.

Safety, Regulatory & Compliance

• Ensure shipyard and marine operations are conducted in accordance with applicable Transport Canada regulations, occupational health and safety requirements, environmental requirements, and accepted marine industry practices.
• Maintain appropriate vessel documentation, certifications, inspections, maintenance records, and operational procedures.
• Work with vessel crews and technical personnel to maintain vessels and equipment in safe and seaworthy condition.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure employees and contractors understand and follow company safety requirements.
• Identify operational, technical, environmental, and regulatory risks and ensure appropriate corrective action is taken.

Financial & Business Management

Working with ownership and senior executives, the Shipyard and Marine Operations Manager will take an active role in the financial performance of the business, including:

• Managing operational P&L performance and understanding the financial drivers of shipyard and marine operations.
• Developing and managing annual operating budgets.
• Managing and controlling OPEX while maintaining operational readiness, safety, and service quality.
• Developing and prioritizing CAPEX requirements for vessels, equipment, infrastructure, and facilities.
• Monitoring labour utilization, project costs, equipment costs, maintenance expenditures, and other operating expenses.
• Supporting project estimating, pricing, purchasing, and commercial decision-making.
• Identifying opportunities to improve productivity, asset utilization, operating efficiency, and profitability.
• Providing senior executives with clear information regarding operational performance, financial results, risks, and capital requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

The preferred candidate will have a combination of strong marine technical knowledge, operational experience, leadership capability, and commercial awareness. Preferred qualifications include:

• Marine Engineer, Naval Architect, Marine Engineer, Civil Engineer, or another relevant technical discipline; or equivalent practical marine and shipyard experience.
• Significant experience in shipyard operations, vessel operations, ship repair, marine construction, marine engineering, tug/workboat operations, or a related marine industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-trade workforces and operational teams.
• Strong working knowledge of vessels, marine machinery, maintenance practices, and shipyard operations.
• Working knowledge of applicable Transport Canada marine regulations and vessel compliance requirements.
• Experience managing maintenance programs, equipment, facilities, and marine assets.
• Experience with operational budgeting, P&L management, OPEX, and CAPEX planning.
• Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with tradespeople, vessel crews, customers, regulators, suppliers, contractors, office personnel, ownership, and senior executives.
• Strong judgment and the ability to make practical decisions in a fast-moving operational environment.
• Proficiency with standard business and operational management systems and software.

The Successful Candidate

Cactus Ship Repair is looking for more than an office-based manager. The successful candidate will be a hands-on operational leader who is equally comfortable reviewing budgets with senior executives, discussing machinery with a vessel engineer, coordinating trades on a repair project, inspecting equipment in the yard, or dealing directly with a customer.

You will bring a practical understanding of the marine industry, take ownership of problems, and know how to balance safety, people, equipment, customer requirements, regulatory compliance, and financial performance.

Experience matters, but so does leadership style. We are looking for someone who can earn the respect of an experienced workforce, establish accountability, develop people, and help strengthen the business for the long term.

Why Cactus Ship Repair Inc.

This position offers an opportunity to take on a meaningful senior leadership role within a family-run marine business where decisions are made close to the operation and the successful candidate can have a direct impact.

For the right individual, this is an opportunity to take ownership of a diverse shipyard and marine operation, work closely with senior leadership, and help shape the continued development of the company's people, assets, capabilities, and financial performance.

Cactus is hiring a Deckhand to assist with its marine operations based out of our Port Hawkesbury, NS location. Candidates must live near Port Hawkesbury or be willing to relocate.

What You Bring

In this role you will work two weeks on/two weeks off. You will report to the Workboat Captain. You will be responsible to assist the captain with vessel operation, line and cargo handling, maintenance and cleaning of the vessel as well as ensuring safety and security for all crew. You will be expected to comply with all SOPs and company policies.

You Will Be Responsible To

• Assist with the safe operation of the vessel at all times (in various water conditions).
• Ensure the safety of all personnel on board.
• Securely tie up vessels, manage towing lines, and safely load, unload, and secure cargo.
• Assist with maintenance and cleaning tasks.
• Participate in emergency and evacuation drills, monitor passengers and crew, and enforce onboard safety protocols.

Minimum Qualifications

• MED Training
• Marine Basic First Aid
• Able to receive and follow instructions from supervisor(s)
• Must be comfortable lifting moderately heavy items

Working Conditions

You must be comfortable working close to large vessels. Availability to work long days/weekends is required in all weather conditions.

We offer a competitive hourly wage with minimum call-out times.

Only qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.