Assistant Operations Manager

APM Terminals; Elizabeth (NJ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rotational operating model

Data-driven operations exposure

Global organization culture

Job summary

APM Terminals in Elizabeth, NJ is seeking a Yard Operations Supervisor to lead daily yard activities, ensuring safe, efficient labor and equipment deployment on a 12-hour rotating shift. You will direct supervision to optimize costs, improve throughput, and uphold safety standards in a high-volume terminal environment.

The role requires at least two years of supervisory experience in operations, with a strong background in unionized settings, data-driven decision making, and proficiency with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum two years of supervisory or management experience within operations, transportation, warehousing, supply chain, stevedoring, or comparable environments.
• Experience leading and influencing performance in a unionized labor environment through communication, coaching, accountability, and issue resolution.
• Strong decision-making ability to respond to changing operational conditions while maintaining safety and productivity.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and terminal systems like Navis N4/XPS, and reporting tools such as Power BI.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily execution of yard operations, ensuring labor and equipment are deployed safely and efficiently.
• Direct ILA Foremen and Chief Supervisors to optimize labor utilization and support container handling activities.
• Monitor yard performance and reallocate resources to maintain flow and priorities.
• Utilize terminal systems and dashboards to guide deployment decisions.
• Analyze data and trends to identify constraints and implement improvements.
• Support labor relations by coaching and addressing performance concerns.
• Partner with Vessel, Rail, Gate, Planning, Asset Maintenance, HSSE, and other teams to ensure yard integrity.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Operations management

Power BI

Navis N4/XPS

Data analysis

Labor management

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management or related field

Tools

Navis N4/XPS

Job description

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.

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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].

At APM Terminals, we are a team of over 20,000 employees spread across more than 60 countries united by a passion to provide our expertise in port operations and container management services.

By providing the expertise and port infrastructure essential to world trade, we actively support the advancement of the societies around us, enabling local economies to unlock their potential and build an even stronger global community.

Working with a team of talented professionals you will get a chance to experience different cultures and make friends all over the world.

You’ll find a culturally diverse, stimulating environment at any of our offices, terminals or depots.

When you join APM Terminals, the world is your workplace.

APM Terminals is an independent business unit within the Danish Maersk Group – a Global Fortune 500 company with about 89,000 employees and offices in 130 countries with global growth opportunities in a range of fields from shipping and energy to our offshore and manufacturing industries - Join us to achieve even your most ambitious career goals!