Crane Maintenance Superintendent

Job Title: Crane Maintenance Superintendent

Location: Wilmington, Delaware

Department: Maintenance & Engineering

Reports To: Crane Maintenance Manager

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Summary

The Crane Maintenance Superintendent is responsible for overseeing the inspection, repair, preventive maintenance, and general upkeep of all container handling cranes at the terminal, including Ship-to-Shore (STS) gantry cranes, and Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes. This role ensures the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of cranes to support continuous terminal productivity and operational uptime.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance Oversight

• Supervise daily maintenance activities for all crane systems and related equipment.
• Coordinate and execute preventive and corrective maintenance programs.
• Oversee diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and control system issues.
• Review service records and logs; ensure compliance with OEM maintenance recommendations.
  
  

Team Leadership & Safety

• Lead a team of crane technicians, mechanics, and electricians.
• Assign tasks, set priorities, and monitor performance and work quality.
• Promote and enforce a culture of safety in compliance with OSHA, ANSI, and terminal safety standards.
• Conduct regular toolbox talks, safety briefings, and incident investigations.
  
  

Operational Coordination

• Liaise with terminal operations, planning, and equipment control to minimize crane downtime and maintenance disruptions.
• Maintain clear communication channels between shifts and departments.
• Support commissioning, upgrades, and integration of new cranes or crane systems.
  
  

Inventory & Procurement

• Manage spare parts inventory and requisition necessary components and consumables.
• Work with procurement teams to source parts, tools, and service contractors.
  
  

Technical Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of all maintenance activities in the CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).
• Prepare reports on equipment performance, maintenance trends, and KPIs for management.
• Assist in developing technical documentation, SOPs, and maintenance schedules.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Strong understanding of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems for heavy equipment and/or cranes.
• Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot issues using diagnostic tools, manuals, and digital systems.
• Familiarity with preventive maintenance schedules and repair documentation .
• Proficiency with maintenance management systems (CMMS) and Microsoft Office.
• Experience managing a team of mechanics/technicians , including scheduling, assigning work, and evaluating performance.
• Skilled in recordkeeping for maintenance logs, repair history, and inventory management.
• Must have or meet the eligibility requirements to obtain a TWIC.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Five years of maintenance experience with container cranes (STS, RTG, RMG), and two years in a supervisory or team lead capacity.
• An understanding of crane electrical systems, PLCs, drives, gearboxes, motors, and hydraulics.
• Proficiency in maintenance software (CMMS), Microsoft Office Suite, and crane diagnostics tools.
• Experience working in a unionized maritime environment or container terminal.
• Familiarity with crane OEMs such as ZPMC, Liebherr, Konecranes, or Kalmar.
• Knowledge of port logistics systems and container handling operations.
  
  

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Exposure to loud noise, heights, confined spaces, and maritime outdoor conditions.
• Ability to climb ladders, lift up to 50 lbs, and work on elevated platforms.
• Availability for shift work, emergency call-outs, weekends, and holidays.