Cargo Operations Manager

TOTE Maritime Alaska; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Leadership development programs

Career growth opportunities

Collaborative team culture

Alaska-focused mission

Job summary

TOTE Maritime Alaska in Tacoma, WA, seeks a Cargo Operations Manager to lead day and night cargo operations, develop strategies, and ensure hazardous materials compliance. You will drive safety, efficiency, and customer-focused outcomes while managing cargo and vehicle teams.

The role requires strong leadership, budget and KPI management, and collaboration with customers, vendors, and internal teams to keep Alaska connected and cargo moving reliably.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 6–8 years in transportation, logistics, shipping, terminal operations, trucking, or related fields.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience developing operational strategies, budgets, and KPIs.
• Working knowledge of hazardous materials regulations (IMDG Code, 49 CFR).

Responsibilities

• Lead day and night Cargo Support Teams and Vehicle Teams to safe, efficient cargo operations.
• Develop and execute operational strategies, budgets, goals, and KPIs.
• Ensure hazardous materials compliance and regulatory training.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to improve service and customer outcomes.
• Monitor performance data and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership experience

Staff development

Operational excellence

Customer-focused

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

TOS (Terminal Operating System)

TMS (Transportation Management System)

MS Office (Outlook/Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

Cargo Operations Manager

TOTE Maritime Alaska | Tacoma, Washington

Lead Critical Cargo Operations. Drive Operational Excellence. Keep Alaska Connected.

At TOTE Maritime Alaska, we do more than move freight. We connect Alaska's communities, businesses, and industries with the goods they depend on every day. As a trusted leader in maritime transportation, logistics, and supply chain services, we are committed to delivering exceptional service while living our core values of Safety, Operational Excellence, Customer Experience, and Teamwork.

We are seeking an experienced, results-driven, and people-focused Cargo Operations Manager to lead cargo operations at our Tacoma terminal. This leadership role is ideal for professionals with expertise in logistics management, transportation operations, terminal operations, maritime shipping, hazardous materials compliance, employee development, and continuous improvement.

Compensation

Salary Range: $81,988 - $155,530 annually

Anticipated Hiring Range: $100,000 - $120,000 annually

This full-time leadership opportunity offers significant operational impact, career growth potential, and the opportunity to play a critical role in supporting Alaska's essential supply chain infrastructure.

Position Summary

The Cargo Operations Manager leads and oversees day and night Cargo Support Teams and Vehicle Teams at TOTE Maritime Alaska's Tacoma terminal. This individual is responsible for developing operational strategies, managing cargo logistics, ensuring hazardous materials compliance, improving operational processes, and driving overall terminal performance.

The successful candidate will serve as a key member of the terminal leadership team, ensuring freight moves safely, efficiently, and reliably while supporting employees, customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead and manage day and night Cargo Support Teams and Vehicle Teams to ensure safe, efficient, and effective cargo operations.
• Develop and execute operational strategies, business plans, department budgets, goals, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Support cargo prioritization, capacity planning, and operational decision-making.
• Monitor operational performance and implement initiatives that improve productivity, service reliability, efficiency, and business performance.
• Ensure proper staffing levels and resource allocation to support operational requirements.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, coach, mentor, and develop high-performing operational teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Assess workforce capabilities and implement training and development plans.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and team-oriented work environment.
• Support employee performance management and succession planning initiatives.

Customer Service & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build strong working relationships across departments to improve operational efficiency and customer outcomes.
• Collaborate with customers, vendors, transportation partners, and internal stakeholders to resolve operational issues.
• Champion customer-focused solutions and continuously improve service delivery.
• Drive process improvements that support operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

Dangerous Goods & Regulatory Compliance

• Develop, implement, and oversee programs, policies, procedures, and training related to hazardous materials transportation.
• Ensure compliance with:
  • International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
  • 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations
  • Company safety policies and operational standards
• Maintain required hazardous materials certifications and training compliance.
• Promote a culture of safety, compliance, and risk mitigation.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Manage and support all aspects of the Terminal Operating System (TOS).
• Monitor operational trends and analyze performance data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead initiatives that improve safety, efficiency, service quality, and customer experience.
• Support technology-driven operational enhancements and best practices.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Track, analyze, and report cargo operations metrics and performance trends.
• Develop and monitor KPIs to drive accountability and operational success.
• Support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare operational reports and performance updates for leadership.

Safety & Quality

• Promote and maintain a strong culture of safety and operational excellence.
• Ensure compliance with TOTE's Integrated Management System and ISO standards.
• Support terminal operations, night operations, and special projects as assigned.
• Identify and address operational risks while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 6 to 8 years of experience in transportation, logistics, shipping, terminal operations, trucking, maritime operations, or related industries.
• Minimum of 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience managing operational teams in transportation, logistics, maritime, or terminal environments.
• Experience developing operational strategies, budgets, business plans, and KPIs.
• Working knowledge of hazardous materials regulations, including IMDG Code and 49 CFR requirements.
• Strong background in operational leadership, process improvement, and performance management.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, complex operational environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) and/or Transportation Management Systems (TMS).
• Hazardous Materials certification.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement certifications or experience.
• Maritime, port, terminal, or vessel operations experience.
• Experience leading cross-functional operational improvement initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee development skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Effective customer service and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience utilizing operational systems, reporting tools, and technology to improve business performance.
• Ability to interpret operational data and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills.

Why Join TOTE Maritime Alaska?

At TOTE Maritime Alaska, our employees are essential to our success. We provide opportunities for professional growth while supporting the transportation network that keeps Alaska connected.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Leadership development programs
• Exposure to transportation, logistics, maritime, and supply chain operations
• Collaborative and supportive team culture
• Opportunity to work for an industry leader serving Alaska communities
• Meaningful work supporting Alaska's critical supply chain infrastructure
• Values-driven workplace centered on Safety, Operational Excellence, Customer Experience, and Teamwork

Work Environment & Schedule

• Full-time, exempt position
• Based in Tacoma, Washington
• Primarily office-based with regular interaction in terminal and operational environments
• Occasional evening, night, and weekend support may be required
• Fast-paced transportation and logistics environment
• Frequent interaction with employees, customers, vendors, carriers, and internal stakeholders
• Collaborative, team-oriented workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

TOTE Maritime Alaska is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Affidative Action Employer, and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

TOTE Maritime Alaska participates in E-Verify and maintains a drug-free workplace.