Operations Manager, Rail

Damco Spain SL; Elizabeth, Northern (NJ, KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

APM Terminals Elizabeth in New Jersey seeks a Manager of Rail Operations to lead daily rail activities, drive safety, service, and productivity in a high-volume terminal. You will coordinate operations across Navis N4/XPS, gate and intermodal planning, and work with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable, on-time performance.

This role demands a proven leader with five years in terminal operations, experience with unions, and a solid track record of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management or related field.
• Minimum of five years in terminal operations, rail or intermodal.
• Strong knowledge of Navis N4/XPS and rail planning tools.
• Experience in a unionized environment is helpful.
• Valid driver's license and ability to obtain TWIC and Port Access credentials.
• Proven ability to analyze operational data and dashboards.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily rail operations to meet safety, service, production, and efficiency targets.
• Coordinate over 200,000 rail moves annually at Elizabeth and support over 400,000 rail lifts annually.
• Manage rail operating budgets through effective labor ordering and planning.
• Ensure accuracy of Navis N4/XPS and rail planning tools with real-time visibility.
• Monitor performance with dashboards to identify constraints and improve productivity.
• Build relationships with internal departments, customers, vendors, and labor representatives.
• Oversee compliance with labor agreements and develop a high-performing operations team.

Skills

Leadership

Continuous improvement

Data analysis

Rail operations

Union experience

Navis N4/XPS

Crew planning

Driver's license

TWIC PortAccess

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Operations/Logistics

Tools

Navis N4/XPS

GOS/TAS

Job description

APM TerminalsWhere 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 C 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

Manager of Rail 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.

What We Can Offer

• Work in a critical leadership role supporting one of the world's most integrated port and terminal networks.
• Contribute directly to operational excellence through continuous improvement, process refinement, and data-driven decision making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, customers, industry partners, and union representatives in a dynamic terminal environment.
• Develop your operational and leadership capabilities through exposure to rail, yard, vessel, gate, and maintenance operations.

At APM Terminals, we foster a dynamic learning and training culture that empowers our employees to excel. Our commitment to improvement means every team member has the opportunity to develop their skills and advance their careers by continuously refining how we work. Experience a diverse, multinational workplace where your operational insights directly influence how we work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead daily rail operations to achieve safety, service, production, and efficiency targets, including zero accidents, zero service failures, and rail productivity goals.
• Coordinate more than 200,000 rail moves annually at APM Terminals Elizabeth and represent the company within the Millennium Marine Rail LLP operations team supporting more than 400,000 rail lifts annually.
• Manage rail operating budgets through effective labor ordering, workforce planning, and achievement of man-per-hour performance objectives.
• Ensure accuracy of operational systems, including Navis N4/XPS and rail planning tools, maintaining real-time visibility of loaded and discharged rail equipment.
• Monitor operational performance using reporting tools and dashboards to identify constraints, improve productivity, and enhance customer service outcomes.
• Build strong working relationships with internal departments, steamship lines, affiliated business units, customers, vendors, truckers, and labor representatives.
• Oversee compliance with ILA labor agreements, support grievance processes, promote safe work practices, and develop a high-performing operations team.

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.
• Leadership expectation: We are looking for people who consistently put customers first, lead by example with respect for people, deliver results with integrity, and drive continuous improvement by solving problems at the root, developing people, and raising standards every day.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Operations Management, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of terminal operations experience, with experience in rail, intermodal, or container terminal environments preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Terminal Operating Systems, particularly Navis N4/XPS, along with rail/intermodal planning tools and gate or appointment systems such as GOS/TAS.
• Experience working in a unionized environment, including labor relations, contract administration, and grievance management, is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to analyze operational data and performance dashboards, translating insights into productivity, service, and operational improvements.
• Valid driver's license, ability to meet company insurability requirements, and eligibility to obtain or renew both TWIC and Port Access credentials.
• Demonstrated strengths in accountability, agility, collaboration, and operational leadership within a fast-paced environment.

Salary: $110K - $120K

Location: Elizabeth, NJ

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.

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.

Rotating Shifts (United States of America)