Reefer Shop Manager

APM Terminals; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

APM Terminals Elizabeth operates the Port of New York and New Jersey's largest refrigerated container capacity. The Reefer Manager leads critical reefer operations, maintenance, and reliability initiatives across the terminal, coordinating with multiple teams to ensure safe, efficient temperature-controlled cargo handling.

You will drive preventive and corrective maintenance programs, monitor KPI performance, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards while fostering a safety-first culture

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Refrigeration Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Admin, or related field preferred.
• 5-10 years in reefer operations, refrigerated container handling, or terminal operations; at least 3 years in leadership.
• TWIC Card eligibility or ability to obtain port access credentials.

Responsibilities

• Manage all reefer operations and maintenance across the terminal, ensuring safe, reliable handling of temperature-controlled cargo.
• Ensure continuous availability of reefer power infrastructure, monitoring systems, racks, outlets, and related assets.
• Oversee pre-trip inspections, reefer monitoring, temperature control, fault diagnostics, repairs and emergency interventions.
• Coordinate with Operations, Planning, Vessel Operations, Yard, Rail, and Customer Service to ensure uninterrupted reefer services.
• Develop and execute preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs; monitor performance and drive reliability improvements.
• Ensure compliance with USDA, CBP, FDA, customer requirements, and safety/environmental standards.
• Promote safety culture through observations, audits, risk assessments and corrective actions.
• Manage reefer budgets, develop CAPEX/OPEX forecasts, and oversee vendors and service agreements.
• Lead and develop reefer technicians and supervisory staff; drive continuous improvement.
• Drive Lean, 5S, digitalization, and KPI tracking to improve service levels and asset reliability.

Skills

Leadership experience

Reefer operations

Budget management

Navis N4/XPS

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree or related field

Tools

Power BI

Reefer monitoring platforms

Job description

APM Terminals 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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all reefer operations and maintenance activities across the terminal, ensuring the 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 while coordinating reefer capacity and operational readiness.
• 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.
• Manage reefer operational and maintenance budgets, develop CAPEX and OPEX forecasts, support procurement activities, and oversee contractor, vendor, and service agreement performance.
• Lead, coach, and develop reefer technicians, foremen, supervisors, and support staff while fostering accountability, engagement, workforce development, and continuous improvement.
• 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.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process.

At APM Terminals, we are a team of over 20,000 employees spread across more than 60 countries united by a passion to provide our expertise in port operations and container management services. By providing the expertise and port infrastructure essential to world trade, we actively support the advancement of the societies around us, enabling local economies to unlock their potential and build an even stronger global community. Working with a team of talented professionals you will get a chance to experience different cultures and make friends all over the world. You’ll find a culturally diverse, stimulating environment at any of our offices, terminals or depots. When you join APM Terminals, the world is your workplace. APM Terminals is an independent business unit within the Danish Maersk Group – a Global Fortune 500 company with about 89,000 employees and offices in 130 countries with global growth opportunities in a range of fields from shipping and energy to our offshore and manufacturing industries - Join us to achieve even your most ambitious career goals!