Head of Yard

APM Terminals; Santa Fe Springs (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Maersk Logistics & Services USA, Inc. is seeking a Head of Yard Operations to lead safety, efficiency, financial performance, and strategic management of yard operations.

This role ensures optimal utilization of yard capacity, equipment, personnel, and transportation assets while maintaining operational excellence and cost control. The Head partners cross-functionally with Operations, Transportation, Engineering, Finance, Procurement, HR, Security, Safety, and Customer teams to drive performance

Responsibilities

• Ensure the yard is maintained in a safe, secure, organized, and compliant condition at all times.
• Oversee daily yard execution, including trailer, container, and parking asset utilization.
• Partner with Operations to forecast yard moves, coordinate door assignments, and manage outside carrier trailer and container pools.
• Monitor and improve key operational metrics, including yard driver productivity, door dwell time, equipment dwell time, and asset utilization.
• Develop short- and long-term yard capacity strategies to support customer growth and seasonal demand.

Job description

As a company, we promote a culture of honesty and integrity, and value the trust it allows us to build with customers and employees alike. Our focus on our people is what sets us apart and keeps our customers coming back to work with us! If you are seeking to be a part of a family, this is the place for you! Maersk Logistics & Services USA, Inc. handles end-to-end warehousing and distribution logistics needs utilizing our strategic network of storage facilities. Our facilities are capable of receiving, storing, processing and dispatching cargo, so we can build flexibility and resilience into the supply chain process.Our integrated solutions allow us to be prepared for supply chain risks, so we can plan distribution to better achieve lead time and goals despite unexpected conditions. Our extensive experience, connections, and deep expertise across different sectors, industries, and transportation modes, means we can be counted on for process excellence that will save time and money.

Purpose/Summary:

The Head of Yard Operations is responsible for the overall leadership, safety, efficiency, financial performance, and strategic management of yard operations. This role ensures optimal utilization of yard capacity, equipment, personnel, and transportation assets while maintaining operational excellence, customer service, and cost control. The Head of Yard partners cross-functionally with Operations, Transportation, Engineering, Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, Security, Safety, and Customer teams to drive performance, continuous improvement, and scalable growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Ensure the yard is maintained in a safe, secure, organized, and compliant condition at all times. Monitor yard capacity and equipment availability throughout the day, particularly during peak operating periods, and communicate capacity status to operational leadership. Oversee daily yard execution, including trailer, container, and parking asset utilization. Partner with Operations to forecast yard moves, coordinate door assignments, and manage outside carrier trailer and container pools. Monitor and improve key operational metrics, including: Yard driver productivity Door dwell time Equipment dwell time Asset utilization and availability Proactively identify trailers or containers dwelling beyond established thresholds and coordinate corrective actions. Ensure data integrity, system optimization, and process governance within the Yard Management System (YMS). Manage relationships with third-party vendors supporting yard operations, transportation, equipment maintenance, security, safety, and facility services. Analyze operational performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives to improve yard flow, gate processing, and operational efficiency. Planning & Strategic Responsibilities Develop and execute short- and long-term yard capacity strategies to support customer growth, seasonal demand, and network optimization. Lead capacity planning initiatives for trailers, containers, yard tractors, and parking assets to maximize utilization and prevent operational bottlenecks. Develop contingency plans to support peak volume events and business continuity requirements. Partner with Transportation, Drayage, Rail, Ocean, and Operations teams to optimize equipment flow across the supply chain. Coordinate inbound and outbound equipment planning with internal and external transportation partners. Develop strategies to improve asset utilization, reduce detention and demurrage costs, and increase overall transportation efficiency. Maintain responsibility for yard-related financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis,