Shop Foreman – Heavy Equipment Maintenance
Lead the Team That Keeps Our Fleet Moving
Harbour Construction is looking for an experienced Shop Foreman to lead our Heavy Equipment Maintenance team.
Reporting to the Fleet Manager, the Shop Foreman serves as the day-to-day leader of Harbour Constructions' maintenance operations. This role provides leadership and direction to Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Apprentices, and Shop personnel while working closely with Operations teams to support equipment availability across the company.
The Fleet Manager is responsible for the overall fleet strategy and performance of the department, while the Shop Foreman is responsible for leading the team, coordinating workflow, establishing priorities, and ensuring maintenance activities are executed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.
Our fleet supports excavation, underground utilities, grading, earth moving, site development, and infrastructure projects across Nova Scotia. The Shop Foreman plays a critical role in keeping equipment operational and available to support field crews while helping develop the next generation of skilled tradespeople within our organization.
This is a management position for someone who enjoys building strong teams, improving shop performance, solving problems, and creating an environment where people can do their best work.
Where This Role Fits
Reports To: Fleet Manager
Leads:
- Heavy Equipment Mechanics
- Automotive Mechanics
- Apprentices
- Shop Personnel
Works Closely With:
- Operations Team
- Superintendents
- Foremen
- Equipment Operators
What You'll Do
Lead the Team
- Lead, supervise, and support Mechanics, Apprentices, and Shop personnel.
- Coordinate daily shop activities and establish maintenance and repair priorities.
- Assign work and monitor progress to ensure repairs are completed safely and efficiently.
- Promote accountability, teamwork, and a great work environment.
- Coach and develop employees to support both individual and team success.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and performance management activities where required.
Coordinate Shop Operations
- Plan and prioritize maintenance activities to support operational requirements.
- Coordinate equipment repairs and preventative maintenance schedules.
- Ensure parts, materials, tools, and resources are available when needed.
- Work closely with Operations and Project Teams to support equipment availability.
- Monitor workflow and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives within fleet operations.
Support Fleet Reliability
- Oversee preventative maintenance and repair activities for heavy equipment, trucks, trailers, and support equipment.
- Review repair requirements and establish maintenance priorities.
- Support troubleshooting and diagnosis of mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and engine-related issues.
- Ensure repairs are completed to company standards and manufacturer specifications.
- Assist with complex technical problem-solving when required.
- Monitor equipment condition and identify opportunities to improve reliability and reduce downtime.
Champion Safety
- Lead by example and promote a strong safety culture.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, safe work procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Conduct shop inspections, hazard assessments, and safety meetings.
- Ensure proper use of tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment.
- Investigate and report incidents, near misses, and equipment failures as required.
- Maintain accurate maintenance and safety documentation.
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
- Red Seal Heavy Equipment Technician certification OR equivalent experience.
- Minimum 5 years of experience maintaining and repairing heavy equipment.
- Previous supervisory experience within a maintenance, fleet, or equipment environment.
- Strong understanding of heavy equipment systems, including hydraulic, electrical, powertrain, and engine components.
- Excellent troubleshooting and diagnostic abilities.
- Strong organizational, planning, and communication skills.
- Valid Class 5 Driver's License.
Preferred Assets
- Experience supervising mechanics and apprentices.
- Experience within civil construction or heavy civil operations.
- Welding and fabrication experience.
- Class 1 or Class 3 Driver's License.
- Experience with fleet maintenance software and computerized work order systems.
- Previous experience with telematics programs- specifically Samsara.
- First Aid, WHMIS, or other relevant safety certifications.
Why Join Harbour Construction?
Harbour Construction has been building infrastructure across Nova Scotia since 1946.
We've built our reputation by investing in our people, equipment, and operations for the long term. The Shop Foreman plays a key role in that success by leading the team responsible for maintaining one of the company's most valuable assets — our fleet.
This role offers the opportunity to lead a skilled maintenance team within a well-established fleet operation. You'll work alongside the Fleet Manager to support equipment reliability, improve shop performance, develop employees, and help ensure our projects have the equipment they need to succeed.
Culture here is not something we talk about — it's something you experience. It shows up in how our teams support one another, how leaders lead from the front, and how people take pride in the work they do every day.
We've building a company where people want to stay — with year-round work, modern equipment, strong leadership, and opportunities to build a long-term career.
You'll Fit In Here If You...
- Lead by example.
- Take ownership of results.
- Build strong teams.
- Believe safety comes first.
- Enjoy solving problems and improving processes.
- Take pride in developing others.
Want to help build something real — real projects, real teams, and a real career.
Join Harbour Construction and help keep Nova Scotia's infrastructure moving.
