Operations Director

Description of the position

The Operations Director leads all operational activities of the terminal, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of Container, Ro-Ro, and General Cargo operations. The role acts as a key enabler of HHLA PLT’s strategic development, driving operational excellence, and cross-functional alignment while securing compliance with all legal, regulatory, and corporate governance requirements. The Operations Director ensures readiness of the terminal for current and future capacity demands, including expansions, new services, and infrastructure development.

Summary of responsibilities

Operational Governance & Leadership

• Provide overall direction for day-to-day and strategic operations, ensuring full alignment with HHLA International standards and HHLA PLT development roadmap.
• Lead, coach, and develop the operations team, reinforcing accountability, professional growth, and a high-performance culture.
• Ensure continuous alignment between Planning, Execution, Engineering, IT, HSEQ, and Commercial functions to guarantee seamless operations.

Safety, Security & Compliance (expanded)

• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and standards related to safety, security, environment, and health, including implementation of safety culture initiatives.
• Oversee incident and near-miss investigation processes, ensuring timely corrective actions and embedding lessons learned across operations.
• Guarantee enforcement of access control rules, traffic flow policies, and safe equipment handling procedures.

Operational Excellence & Efficiency

• Drive process optimization initiatives leveraging Lean, digitalization, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
• Lead operational readiness programs for new equipment, systems, or infrastructure (e.g., TOS upgrades, OCR Gate, Rail automation).
• Monitor service quality delivered to shipping lines, trucking companies, rail operators, and logistic partners, ensuring service level achievement and proactive performance communication.

Planning & Coordination

• Supervise the operational planning of vessels, yard, rail, and gate activities, ensuring optimal resource allocation and maximizing terminal productivity.
• Oversee traffic orchestration inside the terminal, ensuring safe movement of vehicles and personnel and preventing congestion.

Digital Transformation & Systems

• Actively collaborate on the implementation, improvement, and adoption of information systems supporting operations (TOS, PCS, OCR, Rail systems, dashboards).
• Support integration of data analytics and performance dashboards for real-time operational monitoring.

Strategic Projects & Expansion

• Manage the company’s strategic operational projects with focus on capacity increase, process redesign, and infrastructure expansion.
• Ensure operational integration of new areas, equipment, or facilities into daily activities.

Financial & Budget Accountability

• Collaborate with Finance & Control to define operational budget targets, monitor performance gaps, and implement corrective actions.
• Contribute to cost optimization initiatives without compromising safety or service quality.

Human Resources & Industrial Relations

• Cooperate with HR on workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance evaluation, and competency development.
• Play an active role in managing industrial relations, ensuring constructive engagement with workers' representatives and unions.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Support Commercial in customer communication, claims handling, operational feasibility checks, and service development.
• Engage directly with customers when necessary to ensure transparency, issue resolution, and continuous improvement.

Key Performance Measures

• Operational KPIs (Vessel / Yard / Rail / Gate / Resources utilization)
• Safety KPIs (LTIFR / Near-miss reporting ratio / Compliance with safety procedures)
• Financial & Efficiency KPIs (OPEX vs. budget / Cost per move / Fuel efficiency & CO₂ reduction (aligned with HHLA sustainability targets))
• Customer KPIs (Customer satisfaction score / Claims ratio and resolution time)

The Candidate

Education & Experience

• University Degree in Engineering, Maritime/Transport, Logisitics, Economics, or related fields.
• 7+ years of experience in operations management in a port terminal or comparable complex logistics environment.
• Proven experience in leading teams, large-scale operational setups, and cross-departmental initiatives.
• Experience working with unions and industrial relations (highly desirable).
• Experience in digital transformation or TOS implementation is a plus.

Technical Skills & Knowledge Required

• Strong understanding of capacity planning, vessel planning, yard strategy, and rail/gate operations.
• Knowledge of TOS, OCR, PCS systems and digital platforms supporting terminal operations.
• Ability to analyze operational data and derive actionable insights.
• Familiarity with ISO standards (9001, 14001, 45001) preferred.

Behavioral Competences Required

• Strong leadership with ability to motivate diverse operational teams.
• High resilience and capability to manage critical situations calmly and effectively.
• Strategic mindset combined with hands-on operational involvement.
• Excellence in stakeholder communication and cross-functional coordination.
• Commitment to safety, integrity, and continuous improvement.
  Planning and organization
• Good communication skills

Language Requirements

• Fluent spoken and written Italian
• Fluent spoken and written English

Other Requirements

• N/A

Disclaimer: This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer.

HHLA-PLT is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Candidates’ data will be treated in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation 679/2016 (GDPR).