Port Manager

Spinnaker; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Spinnaker seeks an experienced, commercially minded leader to oversee a major Europoort port operation. The role combines operational leadership, financial performance and workforce development with change management.

You will work closely with the Director of Port Operations to shape the operation's future, influence senior stakeholders and guide a large workforce through transformation and improvements in safety, efficiency and employee engagement.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in complex operations.
• Track record of delivering transformation and improvements in performance.
• Strong financial acumen and P&L awareness.
• Experience leading unionised workforces and managing employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of overall port performance across operations, people, customer service, HSSE and financial delivery.
• Lead and develop a large, diverse workforce, building engagement, clear expectations and accountability.
• Drive operational and cultural transformation, challenging established practices and securing support for sustainable change.
• Manage budgets, monitor financial performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity, resource utilisation and cost efficiency.
• Build a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, security requirements and ISPS standards.

Skills

Leadership

Change management

Stakeholder management

Dutch & English communication

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, commercially minded leader to take responsibility for the overall performance of a major port operation in Europoort.

With a remit comparable to a Business Unit Manager, this senior position brings together operational leadership, financial performance, people development and transformation. You will lead a large, complex workforce, strengthen operational standards and drive improvements across safety, service, efficiency and employee engagement.

Reporting to the Director of Port Operations, you will have the scope to shape the operation’s future. We are looking for someone who can challenge established practices, influence senior stakeholders and bring employees with them through change.

The Role

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership position. You will spend time within the operation, build credibility across departments and work closely with your management team to turn business priorities into practical improvements.

Alongside delivering reliable day-to-day operations, you will lead longer-term change across working practices, culture and workforce development. Strong commercial judgement will be essential, with responsibility for understanding financial performance, managing costs and ensuring operational decisions support wider business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of overall port performance across operations, people, customer service, HSSE and financial delivery.
• Lead and develop a large, diverse workforce, building engagement, clear expectations and accountability.
• Drive operational and cultural transformation, challenging established practices and securing support for sustainable change.
• Manage budgets, monitor financial performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity, resource utilisation and cost efficiency.
• Build a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, security requirements and ISPS standards.
• Strengthen management capability and develop succession plans to support the operation’s future workforce needs.
• Manage employee relations alongside HR, maintaining constructive relationships with trade unions and employee representatives.
• Oversee the effective use of infrastructure, plant, equipment and operational resources.
• Maintain strong relationships with Port and Harbour Authorities, regulators and other external stakeholders.
• Work closely with Commercial, Finance, Fleet and HR teams to deliver shared business priorities.
• Report on operational KPIs and financial results, providing clear recommendations and challenging decisions where needed.

About You

You will be an established senior operational leader with experience managing complex operations and sizeable workforces. You will combine strong people leadership with commercial and financial understanding, and a proven ability to deliver change.

We are particularly interested in candidates who bring:

• Significant leadership experience within ports, terminals or a similarly complex operational environment.
• A track record of delivering transformation and measurable improvements in operational and financial performance.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, costs and P&L performance.
• Experience leading unionised workforces and handling challenging employee relations.
• The ability to improve engagement and bring long-serving teams through change.
• Confidence influencing senior leadership, managing upwards and constructively challenging business decisions.
• A visible, practical leadership style and willingness to get involved in the operation.
• Experience developing managers, planning succession and building future capability.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and sound judgement under pressure.
• Strong spoken and written Dutch and English.

Port, ferry, RoRo or terminal experience would be particularly valuable. Senior leaders from logistics, transport, rail, supply chain or other complex operational sectors will also be considered where they can demonstrate relevant workforce leadership, transformation and financial responsibility.