Assistant Operations Manager – Stevedores

Associated British Ports; Southampton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remuneration package

Employer pension

Private health insurance

Job summary

Associated British Ports is seeking an Assistant Operations Manager (Stevedores) to support the Operations Manager in leading the Stevedores department, ensuring safe, efficient and cost-conscious operations. You will plan vessel and non-vessel activities, allocate labour, and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.

You will lead two stevedore teams, mentor staff, conduct PDRs and drive customer-focused service delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience in a highly competitive, pressurised operational environment.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Proactive, self-motivated attitude.
• Ability to communicate and influence at all levels.
• Proficient IT skills with MS Office suite.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Support Operations Manager in leading the Stevedores department.
• Plan and deliver vessel and non-vessel operations, including labour allocation and scheduling.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders on future requirements and plans.
• Lead two stevedore teams (9–12 staff) and conduct PDRs.
• Manage a key customer account and drive service excellence.
• Oversee Risk Assessments, Safe Systems of Work and toolbox talks.
• Act as weekend Duty Manager on a fixed roster, with days in lieu.
• Process operational reports and collaborate with Finance on performance insights.

Skills

Leadership

Operational planning

Stakeholder engagement

People management

Communication

IT skills

Driving licence

Customer focus

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

Assistant Operations Manager (Stevedores)

We’re the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 21 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year.

It’s a story we’re proud of but it doesn’t end there. We’re transforming our business and embracing the future.

We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.

The Role: Assistant Operations Manager (Stevedores)

Purpose:

To support the Operations Manager in leading the department (Stevedores), ensuring operational tasks are planned efficiently, executed safely, and delivered in line with service level agreements (SLAs), while maintaining a focus on cost-effectiveness and revenue generation.

Key Accountabilities:

• Drive a compliant Health & Safety culture, role-modelling safe behaviours and ensuring standards are continually maintained and adhered to.
• Ensure the efficient planning and delivery of vessel and non-vessel operations, including:
  • Allocating full-time and third-party labour to daily operations.
  • Liaising with internal and external stakeholders to understand future operational requirements.
  • Communicating planned operations and working schedules to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Identifying and communicating operational bottlenecks, including berth congestion and labour constraints, to stakeholders.
• Lead two stevedore teams (9–12 full-time personnel), including:
  • Coaching and mentoring team members.
  • Managing staff recruitment and conducting Performance and Development Reviews (PDRs).
  • Managing absence and disciplinary procedures where necessary.
• Manage a key customer account, acting as the first point of escalation for service delivery and driving customer‑centric excellence across the stevedoring teams.
• Manage, review, and deliver the department's Risk Assessments, Safe Systems of Work, training materials, workplace inspections, and toolbox talks.
• Act as weekend Duty Manager, serving as the primary point of contact for ABP Stevedores on a fixed roster pattern, with the equivalent number of days taken in lieu.
• Process operational reports and other vessel-related documentation to support the administrative function.
• Collaborate closely with the Finance Business Partner to analyse financial and operational performance data, providing insights that support informed decision-making.

About you:

You will have demonstrable leadership skills from working previously in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment with the flexibility to adapt working hours to meet challenging operational requirements.

The key to your success with be the ability to encourage, support and manage a small team. You will be an ambassador for ABP – clearly living and demonstrating the company’s vison and values.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Experience of working in a highly competitive, pressurised operational environment.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• A proactive, self‑motivated attitude.
• The ability to communicate and influence effectively with people at all levels.
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• A strong, customer‑focused approach to service delivery.
• Full UK driving licence.

Ideal

• Working knowledge of the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System.
• The ability to organise, analyse, and present data with a solutions‑focused approach.
• Experience of leading continuous improvement and change initiatives.

Additional Information:

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.

Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero‑tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.