Assistant Operations Manager

The Port of Virginia; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Port of Virginia is seeking an Assistant Operations Manager to supervise terminal operations, promote a safe working environment, and maximize productivity to meet departmental objectives. The role requires coordinating with ocean, motor, rail carriers, ship agents, stevedores, and internal stakeholders.

This position emphasizes OSHA compliance, labor management, cost control, and workforce efficiency within a 24/7 operation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid driver’s license and TWIC required.
• Experience in transportation or operations.
• Strong written and verbal communication and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Confirms labor is on time and in designated areas per standards to ensure productive, safe operations.
• Exercises judgment to optimize meal breaks and labor flow to meet goals.
• Ensures compliance with safety, security, environmental policies; coordinates accident investigations as needed.
• Maintains documentation on incidents and events per department standards.
• Participates in management meetings and coordinates with ILA labor and supervisors to resolve bottlenecks.

Skills

Decision making

Leadership

Communication skills

Team coordination

Education

High School diploma or GED

Driver's license

TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential)

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

The Opportunity: Assistant Operations Manager

The main objective of this position is to supervise terminal operations with the goal of maintaining a safe working environment, while maximizing productivity and meeting departmental objectives. Promote safety awareness and regulatory compliance (OSHA), manage ILA labor, control operation costs, and maximize workforce efficiency. Coordinate efforts between ocean carriers, motor carriers, railroads, ship agents, stevedores, and all other internal stakeholders.

What You’ll Do: Responsibilities

• Confirms all labor is on time, in their designated work area, and working in accordance with the operational standards to ensure a productive and safe operation in accordance with organizational goals.
• Exercises independent judgment to make efficient decisions to break for meals, “cut,” or “roll-through” labor in order to meet organizational goals.
• Ensures compliance with all safety, security, and environmental policies, and responds accordingly to work-related accidents, including accident investigation and drug screen coordination. Ensures compliance to labor contracts and agreements.
• Maintains accurate documentation per department standards regarding incidents, accidents, and non-standard events.
• Rewards and disciplines colleagues for compliance/non-compliance of the Terminal Safety Enforcement Program or collective bargaining agreement.
• Diagnoses and exercises judgment over the assignment of personnel to available equipment, and knowledge of daily work needs, in order to resolve “bottlenecks” which may impact achievement of daily organizational goals.
• Effectively tracks performance of ILA Labor and holds subordinates accountable for results.
• Maintains a comprehensive understanding of the ILA Collective and Local Bargaining Agreement and holds/attends performance and/or disciplinary meetings in partnership with appropriate business agents.
• Ensures employee relations and problems are properly addressed. Meets with employees to discuss status of work, work problems, etc. Exercises discretion in resolving complaints, grievances, discipline, and concerns that arise.
• Allocates equipment to various ILA operators and prioritizes and adjusts work assignments based on independent judgment of operational needs to accomplish organizational goals.
• Predicts, identifies, and overcomes challenges related to the operation by influencing innovation and productivity.
• Attends management meetings per rotation with other AOMs.
• Follows dress code policy for AOMs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• The Port of Virginia is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, 365-day-a-year operation, schedule and location may vary based on the needs of the operation.

Who You Are: Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The Ideal candidate demonstrates a high ability to make quick, sound decisions in an ever-changing environment and excels at establishing plans of action while coordinating efficient execution. They possess basic computer skills and are highly effective at inspiring others to achieve goals and maintain high standards of performance. The ideal candidate has strong written and verbal communication skills, exercises sound judgment, and demonstrates exceptional interpersonal abilities when working with diverse stakeholders. Additionally, they are flexible and dependable, with the ability to work any assigned shift in a 24-hour operation, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to support organizational needs. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

High School diploma or GED equivalent required.

Licenses, Certifications, and Credentials

Valid driver’s license; Transportation Worker Identification Credential

Work Experience

Experience in transportation or operations required. Clean driving record required.

You Should Know: Disclosures

The Port of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, disability or national origin.

Selected applicant must be able to pass a pre-employment background check which may include any of the following: Academic record and verification of education and/or certifications; Employment history (including references); Criminal history; Driving record; Fingerprinting; drug and alcohol testing, Fit for duty Physical, Other records or information related to the candidate's suitability for the position.

Selected applicant must be able to obtain a TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Card). The Port of Virginia is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, 365-day-a-year operation, schedule and location may vary based on the needs of the operation.