Area Manager (SkillBridge)

Area Manager (SkillBridge)

Oversees ship construction and repair operations within an assigned area, ensuring safety, quality, schedule adherence, and cost efficiency. Responsible for making critical decisions that affect business operations and managing the performance of production trades and subcontractors. Collaborates closely with management teams, Quality Assurance, Planning, Contracts, Subcontractors, Material Control, Safety, Customer Representatives, Ship's Force, and other NASSCO departments to achieve project goals. Effectively prioritizes, sequences, and coordinates all activities to ensure successful completion in alignment with work specifications, schedules, and budgets. Exercises sound judgment to anticipate and address potential schedule and budget deviations by implementing corrective actions. Engages with internal and external stakeholders on product planning, issue resolution, and process or productivity improvements. Directly accountable for the efficient execution of construction or repair projects, emphasizing safety, quality, cost control, and schedule compliance. Oversees all aspects of their assigned project area, ensuring safety, schedule, quality, and cost goals are met. They lead the trade teams to deliver quality work on time and within budget while coordinating closely with trade general supervisors for resources and technical guidance. The Area Manager collaborates with QA, Planning, Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, Warehousing, Test & Trials, OPC, subcontractors, and other departments to ensure project success for their assigned project area. They regularly brief their ship manager on project status and interface with customers and regulatory bodies to meet contractual and compliance requirements. The Area Manager is directly accountable for the shipbuilding & repair process including cost, schedule, safety, and quality. Performance is evaluated based on adherence to schedule, budget compliance, and regulatory standards. As the primary point of contact for their project area, the Area Manager ensures seamless execution of all aspects of the shipbuilding & repair process.

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Implements NASSCO's management policies and operational practices to effectively oversee all activities within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Uses project management tools and techniques to monitor schedule performance, evaluate potential actions, and implement effective recovery strategies.
• Applies Earned Value Management System (EVMS) and cost reporting data to assess cost impacts and develop mitigation strategies through sound judgment and analysis.
• Reviews contracts, work specifications, drawings, and technical references to thoroughly understand project scope and establish schedule strategies that align with project milestones.
• Conducts detailed analysis and reporting on schedule impacts and risk assessments to support change management activities.
• Ensures production trades and subcontractors comply with regulatory requirements, safety protocols, housekeeping standards, and contract specifications.
• Oversees subcontractor work completion, including reviewing and approving reports, invoicing documents, and resolving subcontractor issues as necessary.
• Prepares, reviews, and approves contractual correspondence and customer-facing reports related to the assigned project scope.
• Provides constructive feedback to support lessons learned and drive process improvement initiatives.
• Confirms work completion aligns with contract specifications and delivers progress reporting for assigned areas.
• Other responsibilities and duties as assigned.
• Upholds GD NASSCO's Mission, Vision, Values, and Principles in all duties.
• Enforces GD NASSCO's safety, environmental, and emergency procedures.
• Collaborates with trades to enhance productivity and refine methodologies.
• Supports housekeeping and material control protocols.
• Ensures the build position, associated pier space, and all areas onboard the ship remains safe and clean at all times.
• Shares accountability with trade general supervisors for meeting GD NASSCO schedule and cost targets.
• Chairs structured deck plate meetings to communicate direction and disseminate information.

Skills and Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent with a solid understanding of trade responsibilities, ship systems, and shipbuilding practices.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in shipbuilding, repair, or a comparable manufacturing environment is preferred (supervisory or project management experience is advantageous).
• Alternatively, a college degree in a field related to project management or the maritime industry, with at least two (2) years of experience in shipbuilding, repair, or a similar manufacturing environment is preferred (supervisory or project management experience is advantageous).
• Proven ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in decision-making.
• Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical capabilities.

Physical Demands:

• The essential functions of this role require work in both an office and industrial setting.
• The role requires prolonged periods of working in a stationary position, operating a computer, computer programs, and standard office equipment necessary to perform the essential duties.
• The role requires perceiving information and communicating effectively with others in person, online, and on the phone.
• The role also requires prolonged periods of working in indoor and outdoor industrial settings.
• Must have the ability to safely access, navigate, and traverse the shipyard, construction areas, production areas, ships, and warehouses.
• Must be able to transit uneven surfaces and be agile to move quickly to avoid hazards and respond to unexpected obstacles.
• Must be able to observe, detect, identify, perceive, recognize, and process information to remain alert and timely comply with all safety requirements.
• Must be able to move, transport, and use equipment necessary to perform the essential duties.
• Duties performed on ships require ascending and descending stairs and ladders, transiting on scaffolding and at heights, transiting through manholes and other narrow, confined, or congested spaces.
• This position requires exposure to industrial areas which contain hazardous materials, loud noise (including sirens, horns, chipping, slamming, and hammering), dust, fumes, and exposure to weather.

General Dynamics NASSCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.