Yard Leading Hand

Yard Leading Hand

Lawnton, QLD | Full-Time

About Keller Australia

Keller Australia is the world's largest geotechnical engineering contractor. For over 60 years, we have delivered industry-leading foundation and ground improvement solutions to the building, infrastructure and mining sectors across Australia.

Our people, plant and equipment are critical to our success, and we are looking for an experienced Yard Leading Hand to join our Plant & Workshop team in Lawnton, QLD.

About the Role

Reporting to the Workshop Manager, the Yard Leading Hand is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the yard and workshop, ensuring plant, equipment and materials are prepared, maintained and dispatched safely and efficiently.

This hands-on leadership role is responsible for coordinating daily yard activities, supporting workshop operations and ensuring all equipment leaving the yard is fit for purpose and transported in accordance with Chain of Responsibility (CoR) legislation. You will lead by example, promoting a strong safety culture while ensuring high standards of quality, compliance and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Health, Safety & Environment
• Lead by example and promote a strong culture of health, safety and environmental compliance
• Ensure all work is completed in accordance with Keller HSEQ policies, procedures and relevant legislation
• Maintain effective yard traffic management and safe segregation of people, plant and equipment
• Ensure lifting operations comply with relevant standards and regulations
• Verify operators hold the appropriate high-risk licences, including forklift, crane and rigging where required
• Report and investigate incidents, hazards and near misses

Yard & Workshop Operations

• Oversee daily yard activities, including receivals, dispatch, loading, unloading and storage
• Coordinate the movement and allocation of forklifts, cranes and other yard equipment
• Ensure plant and equipment are inspected, prepared and ready for mobilisation in accordance with project requirements and packing lists
• Conduct pre-start inspections on yard equipment and report defects promptly
• Manage workflow priorities to meet project delivery schedules
• Maintain organised storage areas for equipment, materials and spare parts
• Work closely with project teams to ensure equipment is available when required

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all work is completed to a high standard of quality
• Identify and report non-conformances to the Workshop Manager
• Maintain accurate records, including:
• Yard inspections
• METS documentation
• Equipment registers
• Fuel usage records
• Daily diaries
• Humanforce timesheets (where applicable)
• Calibration records
• Ensure compliance documentation is completed accurately and on time

Leadership

• Supervise and support Yard and Workshop personnel
• Allocate daily work and monitor productivity
• Lead toolbox talks, pre-start meetings, safety briefings and inductions
• Foster a collaborative team environment focused on safety, quality and continuous improvement
• Identify opportunities to improve yard efficiency while maintaining compliance and safety standards

About You

To be successful in this role, you will be a proactive leader with strong organisational skills and experience working in a busy plant, workshop or construction yard environment.

You will ideally have:

• Minimum 2 years' experience in a yard or workshop environment
• Previous experience leading or supervising a small team
• Experience working with heavy construction plant and equipment (piling or ground improvement equipment highly regarded)
• Strong understanding of Chain of Responsibility (CoR) requirements
• Sound knowledge of Workplace Health and Safety legislation and safe lifting practices
• Current Australian Driver's Licence
• Current LF Forklift Licence (essential)
• High Risk Work Licences (Crane, Rigging or Dogging) highly regarded
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills
• A proactive approach with a commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement

Why Join Keller?

• Join the world's largest geotechnical engineering contractor
• Stable, full-time position based in Lawnton
• Leadership opportunity within a highly skilled Plant & Workshop team
• Ongoing training and career development
• Competitive remuneration and employee benefits
• Work for a company that genuinely values safety, teamwork and excellence

If you are an experienced yard professional with a passion for safety, leadership and operational excellence, we encourage you to apply and become part of the Keller Australia team.

How to apply

We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining the right people who are highly competent, live our values and actively contribute to our long-term success.

If you are ready to join the Keller Australia team, submit your application by clicking the apply button now!

Keller Australia is an equal opportunity employer, and we support diversity in our workforce. Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTI+; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged to apply.

To find out more about us, visit www.keller.com.au