Assistant Operations Manager, Marine

This is a place where speed, scale, and precision come together. You’ll collaborate with high- performing teams in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where safety and operational excellence are the top priorities. Here, your impact is immediate-and global.

Why you’ll love it here

⦁ Be part of a major gateway on the U.S. East Coast

⦁ Experience high-volume, complex terminal operations

⦁ Work with driven teams in a fast-moving environment

⦁ Continuous improvement mindset - where curiosity is encouraged, root-cause problem solving is valued, and making things better every day is part of how we win

Assistant Manager of Vessel Operations

At APM Terminals, a global leader in port and terminal operations, we enable global trade and drive sustainable growth. What drives us forward is a mindset of always improving - observing how work happens, identifying what creates value, and removing what gets in the way. We constantly look for smarter, simpler, and safer ways of operating. If you thrive in environments where people value learning and are committed to continuously improve daily operations, join us and be a part of our journey.

APM Terminals Elizabeth is part of our integrated port and terminal network, where safe and efficient vessel operations are central to meeting customer commitments and supporting terminal productivity. In this role, you will help ensure cargo operations are completed safely, accurately, and in line with customer requirements and company procedures.

What We Can Offer

At APM Terminals, we foster a dynamic learning and training culture that empowers our employees to excel. Our commitment to improvement means every team member has the opportunity to develop their skills and advance their careers by continuously refining how we work. Experience a diverse, multinational workplace where your operational insights directly influence how we work.

• Apply your vessel operations expertise across stowage planning, stevedoring coordination, labor supervision, and operational reporting.
• Use Navis N4/XPS, vessel planning tools, and operational dashboards to identify constraints and support safe, efficient execution.
• Collaborate with vessel planners, customers, labor representatives, maintenance teams, vessel agents, and line handlers.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by addressing production delays, resolving operational issues, and recommending practical actions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and distribute safe, cost-efficient vessel stowage plans using Navis N4/XPS and vessel stowage and planning tools, submitting preplans and communicating approved changes.
• Directly supervise Foremen, Headers, the Chief Clerk, and other labor in accordance with OSHA requirements, the Longshore contract, and applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Lead gangway safety talks, inspect vessels for safety shortcomings, report deficient equipment, and investigate incidents using independent judgment and corrective action.
• Monitor hourly counts and production delays, using Terminal Operating System data and operational dashboards such as Power BI to identify and address constraints.
• Ensure containers are loaded according to plan without mis-stows, oversee lashing requirements, and manage hazardous cargo documents and reefer manifests.
• Plan and approve heavy-lift gear for out-of-gauge lifts, confirm break-bulk import releases, and coordinate sailing times with vessel agents and line handlers.
• Complete pre-final and final plans, formal Operational Statements suitable for billing, and full shift reports outlining issues and recommendations.

What We Are Looking For

• Continuous improvement mindset: We are looking for someone who brings a thoughtful improvement mindset-curious about how work gets done and motivated to make meaningful, sustainable improvements over time.
• Hold a four-year bachelor’s degree in a related field and bring at least three years of transportation or stevedoring experience, or equivalent military experience.
• Demonstrate strong managerial, supervisory, team-building, decision-making, collaboration, and stakeholder-influencing skills.
• Bring broad knowledge of vessel stowage, lashing, stevedoring operations, and the requirements of a unionized ILA/Longshore environment; related experience is strongly preferred.
• Use Navis N4/XPS and vessel stowage and planning tools effectively, with the ability to interpret operational data and Power BI dashboards; this systems experience is strongly preferred.
• Obtain or renew required DHS approval for a TWIC card and approval for a Port Access Card; competent rigger qualification is preferred.
• Work variable schedules, including extended shifts of up to 12 hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays, while meeting HSSE and PPE requirements in office, vessel, berth, and outdoor environments.

Salary: $80K - $90K

Location: Elizabeth, NJ (12 hour rotating shifts)

Notice to applicants applying to positions in the United States

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

APM Terminals is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities who are applying for positions in the U.S. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you are interested in applying for employment with APM Terminals in the U.S. and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply for a position, or if you need a reasonable accommodation to perform a job, please contact the applicable Human Resources Department by emailing [email protected]. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis pursuant to an interactive dialogue between the applicant and the Company.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing [email protected].