Reefer Shop Manager

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

Job summary

APM Terminals Elizabeth, the Port of New York and New Jersey's leading reefer operation, seeks a Reefer Manager to oversee all temperature-controlled cargo handling. Lead maintenance, monitoring, and regulatory compliance while collaborating with Operations, Planning, and Customer Service to ensure reliable service.

Candidate will drive lean improvements, manage KPI tracking, and mentor teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Proven track record improving operational processes.
• Leadership experience in fast-paced terminal environments.
• Experience with refrigerated container systems and cold chain management.

Responsibilities

• Manage all reefer operations and maintenance across the terminal.
• Oversee PTI, monitoring, temperature control, fault diagnostics, and emergency actions.
• Coordinate with Operations, Planning, Vessel Ops, Yard, Rail, and Customer Service teams.
• Develop preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs; monitor performance.
• Ensure compliance with USDA, CBP, FDA, customer requirements and safety regs.
• Drive safety culture through observations, audits, and risk assessments.

Skills

Continuous improvement

Leadership

Reefer operations

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Refrigeration Engineering or related field

Tools

Navis N4/XPS

Reefer monitoring platforms

Power BI

Job description

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.

Reefer Manager

What We Can Offer

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.

• Lead critical refrigerated cargo operations that directly impact customer satisfaction, cargo integrity, regulatory compliance, and terminal performance.
• Work across operational, maintenance, engineering, planning, and customer-facing teams to drive reliability and continuous improvement.
• Utilize advanced operational systems, reefer monitoring platforms, and Power BI reporting to support data-driven decision making.
• Contribute to terminal transformation and operational excellence initiatives.

APM Terminals Elizabeth operates the Port of New York and New Jersey's largest refrigerated container capacity. As Reefer Manager, you will be responsible for the overall management of reefer operations, maintenance activities, and refrigerated container infrastructure across the terminal. You will lead safe, reliable, and efficient temperature-controlled cargo handling while ensuring compliance with customer requirements, regulatory standards, and operational expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all reefer operations and maintenance activities across the terminal, ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient handling of temperature-controlled cargo.
• Oversee pre-trip inspections (PTI), reefer monitoring, temperature control, fault diagnostics, repairs, alarm response activities, and emergency interventions to protect cargo integrity.
• Coordinate closely with Operations, Planning, Vessel Operations, Yard, Rail, and Customer Service teams to ensure uninterrupted reefer services and compliance with customer and shipping line requirements.
• Develop and execute preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs; monitor equipment performance, conduct root cause analysis, and implement reliability improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with USDA, CBP, FDA, customer requirements, cold-treatment protocols, electrical safety regulations, environmental standards, ISO requirements, and terminal operating procedures.
• Promote a strong safety culture through safety observations, toolbox talks, audits, risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective and preventive actions.
• Drive Lean, 5S, operational excellence, digitalization, and terminal transformation initiatives while developing and tracking KPIs to improve service levels, asset reliability, safety performance, and operational efficiency.

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 in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Refrigeration Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field; relevant refrigeration or technical certifications are preferred.
• 5-10 years of experience in reefer operations, refrigerated container handling, terminal operations, industrial maintenance, or asset management, with at least 3 years of leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of refrigerated container systems, cold chain management, electrical infrastructure, reliability engineering, root cause analysis, and maintenance best practices.
• Familiarity with reefer monitoring technologies, Navis N4/XPS, regulatory requirements, unionized labor environments, and contractor management is highly valued.
• Demonstrated ability to manage safety performance, operational priorities, budgets, stakeholder relationships, and decision-making in a fast-paced operational environment.
• TWIC Card eligibility and the ability to obtain required port access credentials.

Salary: $110K - $120K
Location: Elizabeth, NJ (5 days in office)

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.