Position Title: Planner/Production
Location: St. Catharines, ON
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Compensation: $80,000 – $100,000 per year, based on experience
About Ontario Shipyards
Ontario Shipyards operates two premier marine facilities on Lake Ontario: our main fabrication hub in Hamilton and the historic Port Weller Dry Docks on the Welland Canal in St. Catharines. Together, we form the largest Canadian-owned ship repair and refit operation on the Great Lakes. As a trusted partner to the Canadian Coast Guard and major commercial fleets, our combined yards deliver everything from advanced manufacturing to massive vessel life extensions.
The company is embarking on an unprecedented period of growth driven by the opportunities created by Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. At the same time, the company is executing the Ontario Shipyard Modernization Project (OSMP) which is a multi-million-dollar initiative that is revolutionizing shipyard operations in Ontario and ultimately Canada. Our team takes immense pride in keeping the Great Lakes fleet moving, building and maintaining the giant vessels that drive Canada's economy – where water meets mettle.
Position Summary
Reporting directly to the VP of Operations, the Planner/Production works alongside the Project Office and the Production Manager. This is a highly hands-on role. You will map out the schedules, trade allocations, and technical steps needed to complete major marine projects safely. Unlike standard desk-based planning jobs, our environment requires planners to physically walk the ships and dry docks daily to verify progress firsthand. The primary objective of this role is to turn technical drawings into clear, step-by-step instructions while managing the tight physical constraints of a working vessel.
This is a specialized shipyard planning role. Proven, hands-on experience in ship repair or ship construction is required.
Key Responsibilities
- Map out facility usage, tool needs, and manpower for all current and upcoming vessel projects.
- Partner with estimating teams to create realistic project timelines, trade labor forecasts, and initial Bills of Materials (mBOM) for new bids.
- Create Level 5 project timelines in Primavera P6, organizing work by trade budgets and Work Breakdown Structures (WBS).
- Review project scope changes, update schedule baselines, and adjust timelines as new work arises.
- Turn technical project files into clear, step-by-step task instructions for the production trades.
- Build project master BOMs, submit material orders, and track deliveries to prevent yard delays.
- Coordinate with Trade Supervisors, Project Management, and HR to provide 4-week rolling look-ahead reports.
- Compare actual hours worked against budgeted hours each week to identify and fix project delays.
- Evaluate project progress on a weekly basis and generate scheduling reports to support client invoicing.
- Identify potential project risks and create practical mitigation plans to keep work on schedule.
- Manage a qualified list of third-party subcontractors and track their specific project milestones.
- Track and analyze yard performance to set baseline productivity metrics for all trades, including steel fabrication, piping, electrical, blasting, painting, and welding.
- Finalize all schedule data at project completion to improve future bidding and shipyard efficiency.
Qualifications & Experience
- Strict adherence to all safety protocols, procedures, and operational guidelines.
- 3+ years of planning, scheduling, and operational experience specifically within a ship repair or ship construction yard.
- Must be comfortable and capable of working in a rugged shipyard environment, which includes climbing scaffolding, navigating dry docks, and entering tight, confined vessel spaces daily.
- Proven experience managing trade sequencing in compact spaces, with a clear understanding of how to prevent conflicting work (e.g., hot work vs. coating applications).
- 3+ years of experience working directly within a shipyard tendering or estimating department.
- Advanced, expert-level proficiency with Primavera P6 scheduling software.
- Strong background in structural, piping, and mechanical marine systems, with the ability to read complex engineering drawings and understand welding and metal fabrication.
- Excellent collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate between trade-floor supervisors and office management.
- Experience using 3D scanning equipment for vessel inspections or experience in marine surveying or project management are assets.
- PMBOK / PMP Certification or Six Sigma training are considered strong assets.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation based on skills and experience
- Comprehensive health benefits including health, dental, vision, life and disability coverage for you and your dependents
- RRSP matching program and Health Spending Account (HSA)
- Paid vacation time and statutory holidays
- Discounts on safety boots & safety glasses
- Opportunities for professional development and specialized shipyard training
- On-site parking
This job posting is for an active vacancy. Every application is reviewed individually by a member of our recruitment team. We do not use AI or automated computer systems to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position.
Ontario Shipyards is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace. We prohibit discrimination and are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. We will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources, and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.
