Senior Operations Manager/Director, Harbor Services

American Commercial Barge Line LLC; Port Allen (LA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical, vision, and dental benefits

401(k) with employer match

Professional development

Wellness programs

Supportive team

Job summary

American Commercial Barge Line LLC is seeking an experienced Senior Operations Manager/Director, Harbor Services to lead the safe, efficient handling of liquid cargo and harbor vessel operations. You will oversee Tankermen, establish transfer procedures, and drive regulatory compliance across the network.

You will manage hiring, performance, and development, collaborate with Port Captains, and ensure vessels are properly staffed and maintained for safety and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive inland marine operations experience.
• Experience with liquid cargo transfers, tankering, and harbor operations.
• Experience leading marine operations teams.
• Master of Towing Vessels license (Great Lakes, Inland Waters and Western Rivers).
• Tankerman-PIC (Barge), DL Cargoes endorsement required.
• Valid driver's license and TWIC card.
• Strong knowledge of inland marine and liquid cargo operations.
• Knowledge of USCG and regulatory requirements.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Availability to support a 24/7 marine operation and respond outside normal hours.
• Ability to travel across the operating network.
• Ability to board and inspect towboats, harbor boats, barges, and facilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make timely decisions in emergencies.
• Ability to work with vessel crews, customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain all required licenses, endorsements, and credentials.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day performance, training, and development of Tankermen.
• Develop and maintain tank barge transfer procedures per standards and regulatory requirements.
• Hire, onboard, develop, performance manage, and discipline Tankermen and Harbor Services staff.
• Work with Port Captains to ensure safe and efficient operations network-wide.
• Oversee Houston Harbor Services and harbor boats supporting barge shifting and fleet operations.
• Ensure Harbor Services vessels are staffed, maintained, and utilized for safety and efficiency.
• Collaborate with Logistics, Operations, Maintenance, Safety, Commercial, and others to support Tankering and Harbor Services operations.
• Build and maintain customer and vendor relationships related to liquid cargo operations.
• Monitor KPIs for Tankering and Harbor Services (safety, service, cost, utilization, performance).
• Provide financial stewardship through budgeting, cost management, and forecasting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Decision making

Travel readiness

Job description

Senior Operations Manager/Director, Harbor Services

Job Title: Senior Operations Manager/Director, Harbor Services
Company: American Commercial Barge Line
Location: Channelview, TX, or Convent, Vacherie, Baton Rouge, Harahan, LA
Job Type: Full Time; Salaried

The Sr. Operations Manager/Director, Harbor Services is responsible for leading the safe, efficient, and compliant execution of liquid cargo handling and harbor vessel operations across ACBL's network. This role provides strategic oversight of Tankermen and Harbor Services teams, ensuring excellence in safety, training, regulatory compliance, workforce management, and service delivery. Accountable for operational performance and fleet utilization, the position also oversees Houston Harbor Services and related assets while driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.

American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) is one of the largest and most diversified marine transportation companies in the U.S. Our legacy of providing the nation with the most economical, safest, and greenest mode of transportation dates all the way back to 1915, when we began moving coal on the Kentucky River. We offer a wide range of career paths in both operations and support services. Whether you are interested in working on the river or in an office, we are always searching for the best of the best to join our ACBL team.

What you will be doing... Your IMPACT

• Manage the day-to-day performance, training, and development of ACBL's Tankermen.
• Develop and maintain tank barge transfer procedures consistent with ACBL operating standards and regulatory requirements.
• R esponsible for hiring, onboarding, development, performance management, and disciplinary actions for Tankermen and Harbor Services Team Members.
• Work closely with Port Captains to ensure safe and efficient tank barge operations throughout the network.
• Oversee Houston Harbor Services, including one fleet boat and three harbor boats supporting barge shifting and fleet operations.
• Ensure Harbor Services vessels are properly staffed, maintained , and utilized to support safe and efficient operations.
• Work with Logistics, Operations, Maintenance, Safety, Commercial, and other ACBL stakeholders to support Tankering and Harbor Services operations.
• Build and maintain customer and vendor relationships related to liquid cargo operations and Harbor Services.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators ( KPIs ) for Tankering and Harbor Services, including safety, service, cost, utilization , and operating performance.
• Provide financial stewardship through operating plan development, budgeting, cost management, and forecasting for Tankering and Harbor Services.
• Other duties as assigned .

What we are looking for...

You will need to have:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive inland marine operations experience.
• Experience with liquid cargo transfers, tankering , and harbor operations.
• Experience leading marine operations teams.
• Must hold a Master of Towing Vessels upon Great Lakes, Inland Waters and Western Rivers license.
• Must hold a Tankerman-PIC (Barge), Limited to Dangerous Liquid (DL) Cargoes endorsement.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and TWIC card.
• Strong knowledge of inland marine and liquid cargo operations.
• Knowledge of applicable USCG and regulatory requirements.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills .
• Strong written and verbal communication skills .
• Must be available to support a 24/7 marine operation.
• Must respond to operational issues outside normal business hours as needed.
• Ability to travel throughout the operating network as required .
• Ability to board and inspect towboats, harbor boats, barges, and marine facilities.
• Ability to work around vessels, marine equipment, and liquid cargo transfer operations.
• Ability to manage multiple operating priorities at the same time.
• Ability to make timely decisions during operational and emergency situations.
• Ability to work effectively with vessel crews, customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Must maintain all required licenses, endorsements, and credentials.

Reasons you will love working at ACBL..

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, and dental
• 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
• Employee Assistant and Wellness Programs for your well-being
• Being part of a supportive, innovative, and forward-thinking team

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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