Assistant Operations Manager

APM Terminals•Elizabeth, NJ

20d•Onsite

About The Position

APM Terminals is seeking an Assistant Operations Manager to join their team at the Elizabeth, NJ location. This role is central to the operations of one of North America's busiest port complexes, ensuring the smooth flow of containers and supporting critical supply chains. The position involves working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where safety and operational excellence are paramount. The company fosters a dynamic learning and training culture, offering opportunities for skill development and career advancement. The Assistant Operations Manager will work in a highly integrated terminal operation, making real-time decisions that impact safety, productivity, and customer service. The role offers exposure to multiple terminal functions through a rotational operating model and develops capabilities in data-driven operations, terminal systems, workforce deployment, and continuous improvement practices. Collaboration with cross-functional teams in a global organization committed to operational excellence, safety, and learning is key.

Requirements

Continuous improvement mindset: curious about how work gets done and motivated to make meaningful, sustainable improvements over time.
Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
Minimum two years of supervisory or management experience, preferably within operations, transportation, warehousing, supply chain, stevedoring, or comparable military environments.
Experience leading and influencing performance in a unionized labor environment through communication, coaching, accountability, and issue resolution.
Strong decision-making ability with the confidence to respond effectively to changing operational conditions while maintaining safety and productivity.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and the ability to work within terminal systems such as Navis N4/XPS, optimization modules, SmartMap/MTS, GOS/TAS, TERMPoint, labor management applications, and reporting tools including Power BI.
Ability to interpret operational data, perform yard space and density analysis, and translate insights into practical operational actions.
Valid driver’s license, ability to meet company insurability requirements, and ability to obtain or maintain a TWIC card and Port Access Card.
Commitment to safe operations, collaboration across functional teams, and support of Lean principles, problem-solving, and process standardization.

Responsibilities

Lead the daily execution of yard operations, ensuring labor and equipment resources are deployed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with operating plans.
Direct ILA Foremen and Chief Supervisors to optimize labor utilization, manage costs, and support container handling activities, including OTR transactions, heavy lift operations, empty returns, grounding activities, and yard housekeeping.
Monitor yard performance and make real-time decisions to reallocate labor and equipment resources to maintain operational flow and support business priorities.
Utilize terminal operating and optimization systems, including Navis N4/XPS, SmartMap, GOS/TAS, TERMPoint, labor management tools, and operational dashboards to guide deployment decisions.
Analyze operational data, yard utilization trends, and performance exceptions to identify constraints and implement immediate improvements that enhance throughput and efficiency.
Support labor relations activities by coaching, addressing performance and conduct concerns, and ensuring work is performed safely and to established standards.
Partner closely with Vessel, Rail, Gate, Planning, Asset Maintenance, HSSE, and other operational teams to maintain yard integrity and support seamless terminal operations.