Assistant Operations Manager

APM Terminals; Elizabeth (NJ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

APM Terminals Elizabeth is seeking an Assistant Manager, Operations to lead safe, efficient, and customer-focused terminal operations at one of North America’s busiest container terminals. This role suits a collaborative operations professional who makes real-time decisions and helps teams succeed in a dynamic, fast-paced setting.

The position emphasizes coordinating vessel operations, labor allocation, and terminal resources to ensure exceptional service while maintaining safety and excellence.

Qualifications

• Lead daily labor allocation and stevedoring activities.
• Direct Foremen and Chief Supervisors to execute operational plans.
• Coordinate labor requirements and shift staffing.
• Monitor payroll accuracy, attendance, hours worked, and overtime approvals.
• Support vessel productivity and manage labor utilization and costs.
• Coordinate equipment and resource allocation across vessel, yard, rail, gate, and breakbulk operations.
• Promote safety standards and a strong safety culture.

Responsibilities

• Oversee labor allocation and vessel operations to ensure safety and efficiency.
• Direct frontline supervisors to implement plans and schedules.
• Assess shift labor needs and adjust staffing as required.
• Track attendance and payroll compliance.
• Improve service delivery and operational efficiency through plans.
• Coordinate resources across multiple terminal areas.

Skills

Lean mindset

High school diploma

Fast-paced environment

Interpersonal communication

Leadership with empathy

Problem solving

Team coordination

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Driver's license

TWIC card

Self-starter

Collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

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

Appetizer

At APM Terminals, a global leader in port and terminal operations, we enable global trade and drive sustainable growth. As part of the A.P. Moller‑Maersk Group, we connect economies and communities worldwide. Our success is driven by a strong commitment to LEAN methodologies, embedding continuous improvement into every aspect of our operations. Join us and be part of a team that values excellence, collaboration, and innovation.

Join us as we continue to shape the future of global trade and make a meaningful impact on communities worldwide. Discover your potential with APM Terminals and become part of a team that's redefining the industry standards.

Assistant Manager, Operations

APM Terminals Elizabeth is seeking an Assistant Manager, Operations to help lead safe, efficient, and customer‑focused terminal operations at one of North America's busiest container terminals. This role is ideal for a collaborative operations professional who enjoys working with people, making decisions in real time, and helping teams succeed in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.

The Assistant Manager, Operations plays a vital role in coordinating vessel operations, labor allocation, stevedoring activities, and terminal resources to ensure exceptional service for customers while maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence. Working closely with ILA labor, terminal leadership, and frontline supervisors, this individual will help drive vessel productivity, efficient cargo movement, and continuous operational improvement.

Success in this position requires a strong balance of leadership, communication, planning, and problem‑solving skills. The ideal candidate is comfortable adapting to changing priorities, managing multiple operational demands simultaneously, and building positive working relationships across all levels of the organization.

What We Can Offer

• Competitive salary range of $85,000 - $95,000
• Learning, development, and leadership growth opportunities
• Exposure to complex terminal and vessel operations
• Career mobility within APM Terminals and the Maersk global network
• Inclusive and collaborative team environment
• A culture focused on innovation, safety, and continuous improvement
• Meaningful work supporting global trade and supply chain connectivity

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily labor allocation and stevedoring activities to support safe and efficient vessel operations
• Direct Foremen and Chief Supervisors to ensure operational plans are executed effectively
• Determine labor requirements for each shift and coordinate additional labor resources when necessary
• Monitor payroll accuracy, attendance, hours worked, and overtime approvals
• Support vessel productivity goals while managing labor utilization and operational costs
• Coordinate equipment and resource allocation across vessel, yard, rail, gate, and breakbulk operations
• Optimize yard space, grounding activities, and chassis utilization to improve terminal flow
• Reallocate labor and equipment in response to changing operational requirements
• Promote and enforce safety standards while supporting a strong safety culture throughout the terminal
• Support performance management and disciplinary processes in alignment with collective bargaining agreements
• Develop and execute operating plans that improve service delivery and operational efficiency
• Respond quickly and effectively to day-to-day operational challenges and changing vessel schedules

What We're Looking For

• Lean-minded: we are looking for someone who brings a strong mindset of continuous improvement – someone who is naturally curious, committed to solving problems at the root, and driven to make things better every day
• High school diploma or GED required; college degree preferred
• Experience working within a fast-paced operational environment where priorities can shift quickly
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust and influence others
• Ability to lead with empathy, professionalism, and consistency in a unionized workforce environment
• Proven problem‑solving skills and sound operational decision‑making abilities
• Experience coordinating teams, resources, or labor in an operations‑driven setting
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Valid driver's license or ability to obtain one
• TWIC card or ability to obtain one
• Self‑starter who takes initiative, remains calm under pressure, and adapts effectively to change
• Collaborative mindset with a desire to support team success and continuous learning

Working Conditions

This is a full-time position that supports a 24/7 operation. Flexibility is important, as vessel schedules may require night, weekend, and holiday coverage. The role includes a combination of office‑based work and time spent throughout the terminal engaging directly with operational teams and supporting frontline execution.

At APM Terminals, people are empowered to make an impact every day. Through innovation, collaboration, professional development, and a commitment to continuous improvement, team members are given the opportunity to build rewarding careers while helping shape the future of global trade. If you're passionate about operations leadership, team development, and delivering exceptional customer outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

Dimensions

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Often required to work in tight spaces. The employee is occasionally required to sit, or work at a computer terminal. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work is mostly performed outdoors. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will have to withstand exposure to outdoor/adverse working conditions. The employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; extreme cold. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; extreme heat and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is occasionally noisy.

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].