About us:

At Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC), we are much more than a Council. We are a service provider, employer and partner in community life. We respect Ailan Kastom and recognise the distinct languages, cultural practices and priorities of each island community.

Why this role matters

The successful candidate will be accountable and responsible for the supply of reliable vehicles, plant, fuel and freight support for the services of our communities. This is an opportunity to lead these essential operations and turn challenges into practical improvements, safer assets, dependable supplies, better value and stronger local skills and employment pathways.

About the role:

The successful candidate will lead safe, reliable and financially sustainable fleet and fuel services and improve freight and logistics arrangements across Council. Align asset lifecycle planning, maintenance, supply, contracts and people capability with service needs. Identifying and delivering approved commercial improvements that reduce avoidable costs, strengthen resilience and create viable opportunities for local skills and employment.

Working with Council leaders, island-based teams, communities and suppliers, you will:

• Manage approved programs, budgets and resources within written delegations including recommended procurement, renewal priorities, and commercial options.
• Plan fleet capacity and utilisation around service needs, ensuring vehicles, plant and machinery are fit for purpose.
• Manage the fuel value chain from purchasing and freight through storage, distribution, stock control, usage and charging.
• Develop a strategic view of freight demand, costs, lead times and critical dependencies across the portfolio and with other Council services.
• Maintain safe systems of work, consult employees and address physical/psychosocial risks within the role's control.
• Develop annual and long-term budgets, forecasts and quarterly reviews with Finance.
• Maintain reliable operational asset information for the assigned portfolio by identity, location, condition, usage, maintenance history, and replacement needs.
• Lead the assigned team with clear responsibilities, safe workloads, practical supervision and regular feedback.

About you

You are a practical leader who understands how reliable operations, sound financial decisions and capable people work together. You can navigate complex supply challenges, build constructive relationships and follow through on agreed priorities.

You will bring:

Essential

• Relevant tertiary or trade qualifications, or extensive equivalent experience in fleet, mechanical/automotive services, transport, logistics or supply-chain operations.
• Demonstrated maintenance planning and ability to lead a comparable multi-site service.
• Ability to operate within a regulated governance environment, including procurement, delegations, financial accountability, recordkeeping and transparent decision-making.
• Evidence of budget and contract management, whole-of-life decisions, procurement and business-case development
• Ability to interrogate cost, service and asset data and turn it into workable improvements.
• Proven leadership of diverse operational teams, with clear expectations, coaching, constructive accountability and delivery through others.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder communication skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in remote island conditions and a cross-cultural environment, respect Ailan Kastom, learn local context and build trusted relationships.
• Ability to undertake regular regional travel.
• Practical WHS and transport-compliance knowledge, sound risk judgement and ability to identify when specialist advice is required.
• Current C Class driver's licence and effective digital, reporting and business-system skills.

Desirable

• Fuel operations, remote supply chains, public transport and public/private enterprise or local government governance.
• CompaqOnline and TechnologyOne experience.

Our values

Our work is guided by One, Respect, Accountability, Courage and Resilience. We work together, respect our communities, take responsibility, think innovatively and build a sustainable region.

Benefits

• Location: Cairns
• Employment: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract
• Remuneration: $170,000.00 - $175,000.00 per annum
  • Mobile phone
  • Laptop
  • 6 weeks annual leave
  • 15 days personal leave
  • Additional TSIRC gazetted public holidays
  • Uniforms

Applying:

To apply, please submit your resume along with a cover letter highlighting your relevant experience, skills and suitability for the role.

To download the PD, and to apply for this job go to: https://torstrarc.recruitmenthub.com.au/Vacancies & enter ref code: 6938042.

Applications close Wednesday, 14 October 2026.

For more information contact Wayne Green on 0418 850 643.