Assistant Operations Manager

A.P. Moller - Maersk; Elizabeth (NJ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

APM Terminals Elizabeth is a major port-operations hub on the U.S. East Coast seeking an experienced supervisor to lead daily yard activities in a high-volume setting. You will coordinate labor, equipment, and terminal systems to ensure safety, efficiency and timely cargo handling.

You will drive continuous improvements, mentor foremen, and collaborate with Vessel, Rail, Gate, Planning and HSSE teams to sustain throughput and high service levels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field.
• Minimum two years of supervisory or management experience in ops/logistics.
• Experience in a unionized labor environment with coaching and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily execution of yard operations with safe, efficient labor and equipment deployment.
• Direct ILA Foremen and Chief Supervisors to optimize labor use and costs.
• Monitor yard performance and reallocate resources in real time.
• Utilize Navis N4/XPS, SmartMap, GOS/TAS, TERMPoint and dashboards to guide decisions.
• Analyze data and trends to identify constraints and drive throughput improvements.
• Coach and support labor relations, ensuring safe work and standards.
• Collaborate with Vessel, Rail, Gate, Planning, Asset Maintenance and HSSE teams.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

Continuous improvement

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Navis N4/XPS

SmartMap

GOS/TAS

TERMPoint

Power BI

Microsoft Office

Job description

APM Terminals

Where global trade meets innovation

Step into the engine room of global commerce. At APM Terminals Elizabeth, you’ll be at the center of one of the busiest port complexes in North America. Every container you touch keeps freight moving through the Port of New York / New Jersey, supporting critical supply chains across the East Coast and beyond.

This is a place where speed, scale, and precision come together. You’ll collaborate with high- performing teams in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where safety and operational excellence are the top priorities. Here, your impact is immediate—and global.

Why you’ll love it here

• Be part of a major gateway on the U.S. East Coast
• Experience high-volume, complex terminal operations
• Work with driven teams in a fast-moving environment
• Continuous improvement mindset – where curiosity is encouraged, root‑cause problem solving is valued, and making things better every day is part of how we win

What We Can Offer

At APM Terminals, we foster a dynamic learning and training culture that empowers our employees to excel. Our commitment to improvement means every team member has the opportunity to develop their skills and advance their careers by continuously refining how we work. Experience a diverse, multinational workplace where your operational insights directly influence how we work.

• Work in a highly integrated terminal operation where real-time decisions directly impact safety, productivity, and customer service.
• Develop expertise across multiple terminal functions through a rotational operating model that supports broad operational exposure.
• Build your capabilities in data-driven operations, terminal systems, workforce deployment, and continuous improvement practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a global organization committed to operational excellence, safety, and learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the daily execution of yard operations, ensuring labor and equipment resources are deployed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with operating plans.
• Direct ILA Foremen and Chief Supervisors to optimize labor utilization, manage costs, and support container handling activities, including OTR transactions, heavy lift operations, empty returns, grounding activities, and yard housekeeping.
• Monitor yard performance and make real-time decisions to reallocate labor and equipment resources to maintain operational flow and support business priorities.
• Utilize terminal operating and optimization systems, including Navis N4/XPS, SmartMap, GOS/TAS, TERMPoint, labor management tools, and operational dashboards to guide deployment decisions.
• Analyze operational data, yard utilization trends, and performance exceptions to identify constraints and implement immediate improvements that enhance throughput and efficiency.
• Support labor relations activities by coaching, addressing performance and conduct concerns, and ensuring work is performed safely and to established standards.
• Partner closely with Vessel, Rail, Gate, Planning, Asset Maintenance, HSSE, and other operational teams to maintain yard integrity and support seamless terminal operations.

What We Are Looking For

• Continuous improvement mindset: we are looking for someone who brings a thoughtful improvement mindset—curious about how work gets done and motivated to make meaningful, sustainable improvements over time.
• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum two years of supervisory or management experience, preferably within operations, transportation, warehousing, supply chain, stevedoring, or comparable military environments.
• Experience leading and influencing performance in a unionized labor environment through communication, coaching, accountability, and issue resolution.
• Strong decision-making ability with the confidence to respond effectively to changing operational conditions while maintaining safety and productivity.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and the ability to work within terminal systems such as Navis N4/XPS, optimization modules, SmartMap/MTS, GOS/TAS, TERMPoint, labor management applications, and reporting tools including Power BI.
• Ability to interpret operational data, perform yard space and density analysis, and translate insights into practical operational actions.
• Valid driver’s license, ability to meet company insurability requirements, and ability to obtain or maintain a TWIC card and Port Access Card.
• Commitment to safe operations, collaboration across functional teams, and support of Lean principles, problem-solving, and process standardization.

Salary: $80K - $90K

Location/Hours: Elizabeth, NJ / 12 hour rotating shifts

Notice to applicants applying to positions in the United States

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

APM Terminals is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities who are applying for positions in the U.S. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you are interested in applying for employment with APM Terminals in the U.S. and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply for a position, or if you need a reasonable accommodation to perform a job, please contact the applicable Human Resources Department by emailing [e-mail]. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis pursuant to an interactive dialogue between the applicant and the Company.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing [e-mail].