Head of Digital Operations - APM Terminals

APM Terminals Inland Services Pvt Ltd; Den Haag; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

APM Terminals is seeking a Head of Digital Operations in The Hague, Netherlands. You will lead the global product organisation responsible for systems, platforms and capabilities enabling terminal operations across the network.

The role demands balancing long-term strategy with day-to-day realities, and influencing stakeholders without direct ownership of all delivery resources. You will collaborate with operations, technology, analytics and senior business leadership to ensure digital

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience within complex operating environments.
• Experience leading large product or functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable business value through technology and process improvement.
• Strong supplier management and commercial negotiation experience.
• Ability to influence outcomes in matrix organisations.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the product strategy for the Operations Digital Products organisation.
• Prioritise investments across a global product portfolio serving terminals.
• Balance innovation with operational stability and value creation.
• Establish product lifecycle strategies for legacy and strategic products.
• Lead a global product organisation of approximately 50 people.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder influence

Product management

Digital transformation

Operations excellence

Contracting & negotiation

Matrix organisation

Job description

APM Terminals

Head of Digital Operations – APM Terminals | The Hague, Netherlands

Lead the products that run one of the world's largest terminal networks. Solve the problems nobody can clearly define. Deliver measurable operational value at global scale.

APM Terminals is at the centre of global trade, operating a network of container terminals that support the movement of cargo around the world. As we continue to accelerate our digital and operational transformation, we are looking for a Head of Digital Operations to lead the global product organisation responsible for the systems, platforms, and capabilities that enable terminal operations across our network.

This is not a traditional technology leadership role.

The biggest challenge is rarely the technology itself. Terminal leaders, operators, engineers, product teams and business stakeholders often have different views of the problem, and those views are not always aligned. Success comes from identifying the real operational challenge, quantifying the value of solving it, deciding where limited resources should be focused, and demonstrating that the expected benefits have been delivered.

The role leads a global product organisation of approximately 50 people covering terminal operating systems, planning and forecasting capabilities, execution products, and customer-facing operational solutions.

The Role

As Head of Digital Operations, you will be accountable for the strategy, performance, development and lifecycle management of the digital products that support terminal operations across APM Terminals.

You will operate at the intersection of operations, product management, technology, analytics, suppliers and senior business leadership, ensuring that digital investments solve real operational problems and create measurable value for terminals across the network.

This role requires a leader who can balance long-term strategy with day-to-day operational reality, influence complex stakeholder groups, and lead through a delivery model where engineering resources are not directly owned.

What You Will Lead

Product Strategy & Portfolio Leadership

• Define and execute the product strategy for the Operations Digital Products organisation.
• Prioritise investments across a diverse product portfolio serving terminals globally.
• Ensure product roadmaps align with operational priorities and long-term business strategy.
• Balance innovation, operational stability and value creation across the portfolio.
• Establish clear product lifecycle strategies for legacy, developing and strategic products.

Problem Definition & Value Realisation

• Identify and validate operational problems across terminals and functions.
• Apply quantitative structure to competing operational and stakeholder demands.
• Establish robust methods for assessing business value and prioritising investment.
• Ensure resources are directed towards the opportunities with the highest impact.
• Measure and evidence value realisation following implementation.

Supplier & Partner Management

• Lead strategic engagement with key technology and industry partners.
• Own supplier performance through robust commercial and operational governance.
• Drive contract negotiations, commercial terms, SLAs and KPI frameworks.
• Ensure suppliers deliver value and take action where performance falls short.
• Influence external product roadmaps where beneficial to the business.

Delivery Through Technology

• Partner closely with Technology leaders to ensure successful product delivery.
• Operate effectively within a two-in-a-box model across Product and Technology.
• Drive adoption of best practice product management and delivery approaches.
• Support implementation and change management across a global terminal network.
• Maintain alignment between operational needs and technical execution.

Leadership & Organisational Capability

• Lead and develop a global product organisation of approximately 50 people.
• Build product management capability across the function.
• Create an environment of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Develop future leaders and strengthen organisational capability.
• Foster a culture focused on operational outcomes and measurable value.

Executive & Stakeholder Leadership

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior operational and business leaders.
• Translate operational challenges into product strategy and investment priorities.
• Influence stakeholders across a complex international matrix.
• Maintain credibility at executive level whilst remaining connected to operational detail.
• Build alignment across operations, product, technology and commercial teams.

What We're Looking For

• Significant leadership experience within Product Management, Digital Transformation, Operational Technology, Operations Excellence, Consulting, Logistics, Industrial, Manufacturing, Energy or similarly complex operating environments.
• Experience leading large product or functional teams, typically in the tens or larger.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, prioritise and deliver measurable business value through technology and process improvement.
• Strong supplier management, contracting and commercial negotiation experience.
• Experience working in complex stakeholder environments and matrix structures.
• Ability to influence outcomes without direct ownership of all delivery resources.
• Credibility operating at executive level whilst maintaining sufficient operational detail.
• Strong commercial and analytical capability with a focus on outcomes and value realisation.
• Ability to learn and navigate complex operational environments quickly.
• Terminal operating system or terminal experience is nice to have, but not a perquisite. What matters most is the ability to understand complex operations, solve meaningful business problems, and translate technology investment into measurable outcomes.

Location

The role is be based in The Hague, Netherlands, with an expectation of five days a week onsite presence and global travel as required.

Why APM Terminals?

This is an opportunity to lead one of the most important digital product organisations within APM Terminals, influencing how terminals operate across a global network and helping shape the future of operational excellence through technology, product leadership and innovation.

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