Assistant Operations Manager, Marine

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

Job summary

APM Terminals Elizabeth is seeking an Assistant Manager of Vessel Operations to lead safe, cost-effective vessel stowage and related tasks in a high-volume port environment.

You will oversee foremen and labor contracts, drive continuous improvement, and coordinate with vessel planners, customers, and line handlers to meet schedules and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and 3+ years in transportation or stevedoring, or equivalent military experience.
• Strong supervisory and leadership capabilities.
• Knowledge of a unionized ILA/Longshore environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and distribute safe, cost-efficient vessel stowage plans using Navis N4/XPS and vessel planning tools, submitting preplans and communicating approved changes.
• Directly supervise Foremen, Headers, the Chief Clerk, and other labor in accordance with OSHA requirements, the Longshore contract, and applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Lead gangway safety talks, inspect vessels for safety shortcomings, report deficient equipment, and investigate incidents using independent judgment and corrective action.
• Monitor hourly counts and production delays, using Terminal Operating System data and dashboards (Power BI) to identify constraints and address issues.
• Ensure containers are loaded according to plan without mis-stows, oversee lashing requirements, and manage hazardous cargo documents and reefer manifests.
• Plan and approve heavy-lift gear for out-of-gauge lifts, confirm break-bulk imports releases, and coordinate sailing times with vessel agents and line handlers.
• Complete pre-final and final plans, formal Operational Statements suitable for billing, and full shift reports outlining issues and recommendations.

Skills

Leadership

Team building

Decision making

Stakeholder influence

Problem solving

Continuous improvement

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Navis N4/XPS

Power BI

Vessel planning tools

Job description

APM Terminals 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

Assistant Manager of Vessel Operations

At APM Terminals, a global leader in port and terminal operations, we enable global trade and drive sustainable growth. What drives us forward is a mindset of always improving — observing how work happens, identifying what creates value, and removing what gets in the way. We constantly look for smarter, simpler, and safer ways of operating. If you thrive in environments where people value learning and are committed to continuously improve daily operations, join us and be a part of our journey.

APM Terminals Elizabeth is part of our integrated port and terminal network, where safe and efficient vessel operations are central to meeting customer commitments and supporting terminal productivity. In this role, you will help ensure cargo operations are completed safely, accurately, and in line with customer requirements and company procedures.

What We Can Offer

• Apply your vessel operations expertise across stowage planning, stevedoring coordination, labor supervision, and operational reporting.
• Use Navis N4/XPS, vessel planning tools, and operational dashboards to identify constraints and support safe, efficient execution.
• Collaborate with vessel planners, customers, labor representatives, maintenance teams, vessel agents, and line handlers.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by addressing production delays, resolving operational issues, and recommending practical actions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and distribute safe, cost-efficient vessel stowage plans using Navis N4/XPS and vessel stowage and planning tools, submitting preplans and communicating approved changes.
• Directly supervise Foremen, Headers, the Chief Clerk, and other labor in accordance with OSHA requirements, the Longshore contract, and applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Lead gangway safety talks, inspect vessels for safety shortcomings, report deficient equipment, and investigate incidents using independent judgment and corrective action.
• Monitor hourly counts and production delays, using Terminal Operating System data and operational dashboards such as Power BI to identify and address constraints.
• Ensure containers are loaded according to plan without mis-stows, oversee lashing requirements, and manage hazardous cargo documents and reefer manifests.
• Plan and approve heavy-lift gear for out-of-gauge lifts, confirm break-bulk import releases, and coordinate sailing times with vessel agents and line handlers.
• Complete pre-final and final plans, formal Operational Statements suitable for billing, and full shift reports outlining issues and recommendations.

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.
• Hold a four-year bachelor’s degree in a related field and bring at least three years of transportation or stevedoring experience, or equivalent military experience.
• Demonstrate strong managerial, supervisory, team-building, decision-making, collaboration, and stakeholder‑influencing skills.
• Bring broad knowledge of vessel stowage, lashing, stevedoring operations, and the requirements of a unionized ILA/Longshore environment; related experience is strongly preferred.
• Use Navis N4/XPS and vessel stowage and planning tools effectively, with the ability to interpret operational data and Power BI dashboards; this systems experience is strongly preferred.
• Obtain or renew required DHS approval for a TWIC card and approval for a Port Access Card; competent rigger qualification is preferred.
• Work variable schedules, including extended shifts of up to 12 hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays, while meeting HSSE and PPE requirements in office, vessel, berth, and outdoor environments.

Salary: $80K - $90K

Location: Elizabeth, NJ (12 hour rotating shifts)

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].