Dry Operations Superintendent

Reporting directly to the Dry Operations Manager, this role leads and oversees all day-to-day dry bulk operations at Texas International Terminals, ensuring safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant handling of dry cargo while driving continuous improvement in throughput, reliability, and cost performance.

About the role

The Dry Operations Superintendent directly supervises front-line operational leaders and hourly personnel, ensuring effective coordination between rail, operations, maintenance, logistics, and safety. This position focuses on operational execution, daily leadership presence in the field, environmental compliance, and implementing cost-saving initiatives that enhance terminal efficiency and performance. The role carries full responsibility and extreme ownership for dry operations results and is a succession role preparing the incumbent for advancement within the organization.

Core Values

• Model and reinforce company values in all decisions and actions, ensuring safety, integrity, quality, and excellence remain central to operations.
• Demonstrate strong Safety and Environmental Stewardship by maintaining effective controls, promoting a culture of compliance, and striving for adherence to all laws and regulations.
• Exhibit Quality Focus through Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence by acting with urgency and discipline, embracing innovation, constructive challenge, and continuous learning.
• Uphold Integrity and Accountability in All Actions through consistent, ethical, and transparent decision-making, taking ownership of commitments and delivering reliable results.
• Foster Care for Customers, Coworkers, and Community by showing respect, teamwork, and empathy, understanding customer needs, and operating responsibly to create long-term value.

Responsibilities

• Direct all aspects of dry cargo operations including vessel discharge/loading, conveyor systems, storage management, and bulk handling.
• Coordinate daily with Rail Operations Superintendent for labor staffing needs to ensure operations meet performance, safety, and environmental standards.
• Track and report operational KPIs such as throughput rates, vessel turnaround times, unit train count and completion times, equipment uptime and utilization, staffing headcount, and training cost vs. budget.
• Complete environmental documentation, incident reporting, and regulatory submissions in coordination with the Environmental Department.
• Lead daily operational meetings to align the team on goals, production targets, and safety priorities.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence in the field—walking operations daily to observe, coach employees, and verify compliance with procedures.
• Conduct weekly field audits to identify improvement and cost-saving opportunities.
• Responsible for cost control of labor, utilities, and consumables.
• Collaborate with Maintenance to ensure equipment reliability and planned maintenance execution.
• Promote and support cross-training of personnel to build flexibility and bench strength.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks through proactive hazard identification and emergency preparedness.
• Provide accurate and timely reports on operations, environmental incidents, cost tracking, and performance metrics to senior leadership.
• Support and participate in company-wide initiatives such as safety campaigns, environmental programs, and continuous improvement projects.
• Foster a coaching culture that favors development over discipline, addressing performance issues through training, mentorship, and constructive feedback.
• Define, clarify, and embed company culture throughout the organization, ensuring values are reflected in day-to-day decisions and interactions.
• Apply the Virtue & Talent Matrix to evaluate and develop team members based on both character and capability.
• Ensure all personnel decisions balance virtue and talent to strengthen both culture and performance.
• Hire, develop, and retain individuals based on both virtue and talent, valuing character, humility, and teamwork as highly as technical expertise.

Expectations

• Demonstrate extreme ownership of dry operations performance, solving problems proactively without deflecting responsibility.
• Quarterly performance measured through a scorecard and ROCK completion, with an expectation of achieving 80% or greater completion of committed ROCKS.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence in the field, conducting structured weekly inspections to reinforce safety, housekeeping, and performance standards.
• Consistently achieve unit train turnaround in less than 22 hours through effective planning, communication, and execution.
• Ensure full compliance with environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements, maintaining zero violations and accurate environmental reporting.
• Drive measurable cost savings through energy reduction, improved labor utilization, and equipment reliability initiatives.
• Communicate clearly and proactively with leadership, peers, and staff to ensure operational alignment and transparency.
• Develop team members through daily coaching, structured feedback, and formal quarterly performance evaluations, building a strong succession bench.
• Ensure all direct reports meet the EOS criteria of Get It, Want It, and Capacity; address gaps through coaching, development, or role alignment decisions.
• Maintain costs within budget while meeting or exceeding throughput and service targets.
• Support Operations Management and Senior Leadership by providing accurate operational data, analysis, and recommendations for improvement.

Measurable Expectations (Scorecard KPIs)

• Throughput rates
• Vessel turnaround times
• Unit train count and completion times (target: <22 hours)
• Equipment uptime and utilization
• Environmental compliance metrics
• Cost performance versus budget
• Safety performance (incidents, near misses, corrective actions)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Logistics, or equivalent experience preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in dry bulk, port, or terminal operations, with at least 3 years in a supervisory role.
• Demonstrated success in managing high-volume dry cargo operations involving conveyor systems, hoppers, and bulk storage.
• Strong understanding of environmental and safety regulations (FRA, TCEQ, EPA, OSHA, and Coast Guard).
• Proven ability to analyze data, manage budgets, and drive cost-saving initiatives.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Physical Demands

• Ability to walk, stand, and climb in an industrial environment daily.
• Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent exposure to outdoor terminal conditions including dust, heat, and noise.
• Ability to work flexible hours as required by operations schedules.