Port Planning Analyst

Port of Houston Authority•Houston, TX

4h•Onsite

About The Position

The Port Planning Analyst plays a critical role in driving process improvement and operational excellence across Port Houston. This position supports cross-functional initiatives by developing data-driven business cases, analyzing systems and workflows, and facilitating performance enhancements through stakeholder engagement, structured methodologies, and continuous improvement techniques. The analyst leads and contributes to projects from concept to implementation, delivering value through innovative, efficient, and sustainable solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management or related field
3 - 6 years of experience in business analysis, project management, or process improvement
Strong understanding of project planning, including design principles and the preparation of technical specifications
Familiarity with construction techniques, sequencing, and practical implementation on infrastructure projects
Ability to read, interpret, and analyze technical documents, including engineering drawings, product literature, and trade publications specifications
Skilled in conducting research, performing written calculations, and developing accurate project documentation
Attention to detail with the ability to maintain focus and quality even when managing multiple interruptions or shifting priorities
Clear and effective communicator, capable of articulating technical and non-technical concepts to diverse audiences, including engineers, consultants, executives, regulatory agencies, and the public
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across departments and with external stakeholders
Self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision while ensuring accountability and timely progress on assigned projects.
Proficiency in spreadsheet analysis and ability to distill complex data into clear, actionable insights
Skilled in creating effective graphical representations of data to support decision-making and performance reporting.
Strong written and visual communication skills, including experience with PowerPoint and Word for storyboarding, reporting, and presenting to diverse audiences
Ability to convey technical and business information in a clear, concise, and compelling manner
Demonstrated business acumen with experience in business planning, financial analysis, or operational strategy
Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to evaluate complex issues, identify patterns, and recommend logical solutions.
Customer-focused mindset with the ability to understand stakeholder needs and deliver value-added solutions
Effective interpersonal skills for working collaboratively across functions and with external partners
High standards for quality with a detail-oriented approach to deliver accurate and reliable work
Commitment to safety principles in both planning and execution environments
Proficiency in technical or professional

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred
Professional certifications such as Lean Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt), or other related credentials
Experience working in a port, transportation, infrastructure, or public agency environment is a plus.

Responsibilities

Map, assess, and optimize current business processes using tools such as process flow diagrams, SIPOC (Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs Customers), and value stream mapping to identify performance gaps.
Identify root causes, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies and recommend improvement strategies including process reengineering, standardization, or automation.
Support deployment of Lean Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement frameworks across departments.
Conducts evaluation of existing business processes for the purpose of identifying and executing improvement initiatives.
Lead or support a wide range of strategic and operational projects, including but not limited to business case development, benefit-cost analysis, transportation modeling, benchmarking, and market analysis.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project scopes, timelines, deliverables, and performance metrics.
Conduct feasibility studies and support the development of project proposals and funding justifications.
Manage the implementation and testing of process changes and evaluate outcomes to ensure they deliver measurable improvements to organizational performance.
Collect, clean, and analyze data from internal systems and external sources to identify trends, insights, and performance gaps.
Develop dashboards and reports to monitor process KPIs, support decision-making, and promote transparency.
Leverage data visualization tools to communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
Facilitate workshops and stakeholder interviews to gather requirements, align objectives, and foster buy-in for process changes.
Support change management initiatives by preparing communication plans, training materials, and readiness assessments.
Serve as a liaison between departments and other functional areas to ensure seamless implementation of new processes or systems.
Provide subject matter expertise in at least one (1) relevant technical or functional discipline (e.g., planning, business process engineering, IT systems, management consulting, Lean Six Sigma, environmental planning).
Understand broader port operations and infrastructure planning to incorporate cross-functional insights into problem solving.
Support enterprise-level initiatives such as digital transformation, sustainability planning, and operational risk management.
Prepare clear and concise project documentation, technical reports, executive summaries, and presentations.
Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership, internal stakeholders, and external partners.
Review work of peers and project teams for quality, accuracy, and alignment with project goals.
Act in accordance with Port Houston’s core values: Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Diligence, and You)
Perform other related duties as assigned to support the department and organization.