Senior Site Manager – ABB Marine & Ports

About ABB

At ABB, we help industries outrun - leaner and cleaner. Here, progress is an expectation - for you, your team, and the world. As a global market leader, we'll give you what you need to make it happen. It won't always be easy, growing takes grit. But at ABB, you'll never run alone. Run what runs the world.

About the Role

Do you share our vision for sustainability and our dedication to pioneering advanced technologies that drive the Ports industry forward and help our customers worldwide decarbonize it?

At ABB Marine and Ports, we are focused on electrifying Container Terminals globally. Ports have many electrical consumers, such as Ship-to-Shore Cranes, Stacking Cranes, Reefer sockets, Shore Power, electric vehicles, and buildings. Within our team, we design and build electrical and automation infrastructure to provide reliable and sustainable power to our customers, enabling them to handle containers efficiently.

Our scope includes Medium Voltage Substations, SCADA systems, Terminal Lighting, Reefer racks and their electrical systems, Electrical Vehicle charging infrastructure, and Grid Connection substations, among others. Our core products are prefabricated substations built in our facilities in Panama. These substations are fully tested and commissioned before they arrive at the construction site. These substations include medium-voltage switchgear, transformers, low-voltage switchgear, UPS, DC systems, SCADA, Fire Alarms, and climate control systems.

Our project locations span the globe, covering the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. They typically take around 24 months to complete. Safety and Integrity are part of our DNA throughout the project lifecycle.

Reports to: Project Operations Manager

Responsibilities

In this role, you will have the opportunity to lead all on-site activities for large/complex project site work. Each day, you will ensure cost-effective execution of project deliverables in accordance with contract specifications, quality standards, schedule, and safety requirements. You will also showcase your expertise by maintaining a detailed and up-to-date construction Health and Safety (H&S) plan with respect to each work package.

As a Senior Site Manager, you are the heartbeat of the project:

• You set the tone. From the moment the site opens, you bring structure, direction, and clarity to everything that happens on the ground. You lead a diverse team of engineers, subcontractors, and specialists—each looking to you for guidance, planning, and a clear vision of what success looks like. You establish the site strategy, translate the project plan into reality, and make sure everyone—from the customer to the construction crews—knows exactly what needs to happen and when.

• You coordinate execution. Whether it's coordinating installation activities, supervising testing, or driving commissioning, you keep all moving parts aligned and on track.

• You champion safety. Safety is your north star. You champion ABB's HSE culture, ensuring every person on site goes home safely. You make sure safety plans are current, risks are spotted early, and work stops immediately when something isn't right. People trust you because you lead by example.

• You are the connector. You build strong, confident relationships with customers, authorities, suppliers, and internal stakeholders. Through open communication and collaboration, you secure the support needed to keep the project moving forward. You listen, adjust, and bring people together around shared goals.

• You orchestrate behind the scenes. From manpower planning and logistics to documentation and cost control—you ensure everything is organized, updated, and ready when needed. You track progress closely and anticipate risks long before they become issues. Your eye for detail ensures that only the right versions of drawings are used and that every update is reflected in the master documentation.

• You develop your team. You mentor, motivate, and develop your site personnel, helping them grow into confident professionals who deliver high-quality work. You create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• You deliver results. You make sure the project is completed on time, within scope, and to the highest standards—closing punch lists, finalizing documentation, managing demobilization, and securing customer acceptance. That final handshake at handover happens because of your leadership, commitment, and expertise.

Qualifications

You are highly skilled in leading complex site operations and thrive in environments where coordination, safety, and execution excellence are key. You enjoy working within industrial and engineering project environments and understand what it takes to deliver high-quality work onsite.

• Advanced experience in resource and talent management, demonstrating your capability to lead multidisciplinary onsite teams, mentor junior colleagues, and ensure optimal workforce allocation

• Strong expertise in project finance and cost control, with the ability to monitor budgets, forecast accurately, and keep onsite activities within financial expectations

• Adept in contract management, able to interpret contractual terms, manage scope deviations, and proactively address risks, claims, and variations

• Deeply engaged in site coordination, ensuring seamless daily planning, logistics management, and alignment between internal teams, subcontractors, and customers

• Established senior-level skills in site management, maintaining full operational oversight, enforcing strict safety and compliance standards, and making confident decisions under pressure

• Experienced in managing site works, ensuring that activities meet technical specifications, deadlines, and quality standards, while resolving issues quickly and effectively

• Immersed in installation works management, coordinating installation tasks, troubleshooting technical challenges, and ensuring accurate and compliant execution

• Substantial knowledge of commissioning works, including functional testing, verification processes, and customer handover, ensuring systems are delivered fully operational and according to expectations

• At ease communicating in English (and any additional required languages), enabling clear communication with customers, contractors, and cross-functional teams

• Hold the necessary certifications or licenses required to work onsite in the relevant region and meet all local safety or compliance requirements

What ABB Offers You

• A versatile and varied full-time job of 40 hours within an international concern

• Education, training and growth opportunities – ABB likes to invest in your development

• A salary fitting your knowledge, experience and this position

• A thirteenth month

• 40 days off (27 holidays and 13 ADV)

• A comprehensive pension plan

• Participation in our share program

• Discounts on gym memberships and bicycle purchases

About Our Business

When you join our team at ABB Marine & Ports in Ports Electrification, you become part of a global effort to drive sustainability and decarbonization in the Ports industry. You'll work on cutting-edge projects, electrifying container terminals worldwide, designing and building infrastructure that delivers reliable, sustainable power. Our diverse and dynamic team fosters collaboration and innovation, providing opportunities to grow and make a tangible impact. With a vibrant culture, international exposure, and a shared commitment to safety and integrity, we're excited to welcome you aboard!

How to Apply

Are you interested in this vacancy? Then don't wait any longer and apply immediately. Register your CV and apply online via www.abb.nl by clicking on 'Working at ABB'.

The application procedure consists of 2 rounds of interviews.

For questions, please contact Jacqueline Pereboom, Talent Partner, on 010 - 407 82 14 or soll@nl.abb.com