Reefer Operations Leader - Data-Driven & Safety

A.P. Moller - Maersk; Elizabeth (NJ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

APM Terminals Elizabeth is seeking a Reefer Manager to lead all refrigerated cargo operations across the terminal, ensuring safe, reliable handling and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.

You will coordinate with Operations, Planning, Vessel Operations, Yard, and Customer Service while driving preventive maintenance, reliability improvements, and KPI-driven performance in a fast-paced port environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Refrigeration/Ops/Logistics/Business; relevant refrigeration or technical certs preferred.
• 5–10 years in reefer operations, refrigerated container handling, terminal operations, industrial maintenance, or asset management with at least 3 years in leadership.
• Strong knowledge of refrigerated container systems, cold chain management, reliability engineering, and maintenance best practices.
• TWIC Card eligibility and port access credentials.

Responsibilities

• Manage all reefer operations and maintenance across the terminal, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient handling of temperature-controlled cargo.
• Ensure continuous availability and reliability of reefer power infrastructure, monitoring systems, racks, outlets, and related assets.
• Oversee PTI, reefer monitoring, temperature control, fault diagnostics, repairs, alarm response, and emergency interventions.
• Coordinate with Operations, Planning, Vessel Operations, Yard, Rail, and Customer Service to ensure uninterrupted reefer services.
• Develop preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs; monitor equipment performance and implement reliability improvements.
• Ensure compliance with USDA, CBP, FDA, customer requirements, cold-treatment protocols, electrical safety regulations, ISO requirements, and procedures.
• Promote safety culture through observations, toolbox talks, audits, risk assessments, and corrective actions.
• Manage reefer budgets, develop CAPEX/OPEX forecasts, support procurement, and oversee contractors and service agreements.
• Lead, coach, and develop technicians, foremen, supervisors, and staff, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Drive Lean, 5S, digitalization, and KPI-driven improvements to service levels and asset reliability.

Skills

Continuous improvement mindset

Leadership

Reefer operations knowledge

Reefer monitoring technologies

Navis N4/XPS

Safety performance management

TWIC eligibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Refrigeration/Ops/Logistics/Business

Tools

Navis N4/XPS

Reefer monitoring platforms

Job description

APM Terminals Elizabeth is seeking a Reefer Manager to lead all refrigerated cargo operations across the terminal, ensuring safe, reliable handling and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.

You will coordinate with Operations, Planning, Vessel Operations, Yard, and Customer Service while driving preventive maintenance, reliability improvements, and KPI-driven performance in a fast-paced port environment.