Assistant Operations Manager

About the Role

APM Terminals is looking for an Assistant Manager, Operations who will play a central role in delivering safe, efficient, and customer-focused terminal operations. This leader will manage ILA vessel gangs, stevedoring teams, and labor allocation across the terminal with the goal of maintaining a safe working environment, reducing turn-time, and ensuring high-quality service for every customer calling the port.

This position is ideal for someone who is both people-oriented and operationally strong—someone who enjoys solving problems in real time, adapting to shifting priorities, and collaborating closely with both union labor and terminal leadership. The Assistant Manager, Operations contributes directly to vessel productivity, yard efficiency, labor utilization, and the overall service outcomes that define the terminal’s performance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily labor and stevedoring activities to ensure work is completed safely, accurately, and in compliance with operational plans.
• Direct Foremen and Chief Supervisors to manage their teams effectively, set clear expectations, and support the safe execution of all vessel and yard activities.
• Determine required labor for each shift, order additional labor when needed, and ensure accurate payroll records by monitoring arrival times, hours worked, and overtime approval.
• Influence labor cost control, vessel turn-time, and the productivity of the terminal’s operating units.
• Support equipment allocation and operational planning, including grounding operations, chassis management, and optimizing yard space to improve flow and vessel productivity.
• Reallocate labor and machinery as business needs evolve—redirecting gangs, shifting Transtainers, assigning gate clerks, or adjusting operating units across import, export, rail, and breakbulk activities.
• Enforce safety and performance standards, support disciplinary processes in accordance with the CBA—coaching where possible, correcting when necessary, and removing individuals from work if safety is at risk.
• Create and execute operating plans, make strategic decisions to enhance efficiency, and respond quickly to operational challenges.
• Work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, based on vessel schedules.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED (college degree preferred).
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment and navigating challenging work relationships.
• Strong communication skills and a calm, solutions-oriented approach.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Valid driver’s license (or ability to obtain one).
• TWIC card (or ability to obtain one).
• Self-starter mindset, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Collaborative, growth-oriented approach to teamwork.

Benefits

• Health Insurance.
• Paid Time Off.
• 401(k) match.

Pay

Salary range: $85,000–$95,000.

Schedule

This is a full-time role that requires flexibility based on vessel schedules. Nights, weekends, and holidays may be required.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in both office and terminal environments.
• Must be comfortable engaging with teams across all operational areas.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, talk, or hear.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Occasionally required to sit or work at a computer terminal.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Work is mostly performed outdoors in various weather conditions, including exposure to moving mechanical parts, wet/humid conditions, extreme cold, high places, fumes, airborne particles, extreme heat, and vibration.
• Noise level in the work environment is occasionally noisy.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.