Safety Operations Manager

About the role

The Safety Operations Manager is a member of the site team responsible for directing the planning, execution, and supervision of daily terminal operations while leading the site's Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental programs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee site operations to ensure safe, productive, and efficient cargo movement.
• Support the planning and supervision of assigned operational areas including labor, equipment utilization, vessel, rail, gate, yard, warehouse, or breakbulk activities as applicable.
• Execute operational plans that meet customer service expectations while maximizing productivity and controlling costs.
• Determine daily labor requirements and coordinate staffing to meet operational demands.
• Review payroll, labor utilization, overtime, and operational expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Monitor operational KPIs including productivity, safety, labor efficiency, equipment utilization, customer service, and financial performance.
• Lead implementation of Ports America's Health, Safety, Security & Environmental programs and standards.
• Champion a visible safety culture through coaching, field engagement, observations, and leadership presence.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, USCG, EPA, TSA, DHS, CBP, Port Authority, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Lead accident, injury, environmental, and near-miss investigations ensuring timely reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Monitor safety trends and implement preventive initiatives to reduce risk and improve performance.
• Cook up safety audits, inspections, drills, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Facilitate site Safety Committee meetings and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Deliver safety orientation and ongoing safety training for management, employees, contractors, and labor.
• Partner with Regional Safety leadership during audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Assistant Operations Managers, coordinators, foremen, and other operational personnel.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability for operational, safety, and customer performance.
• Foster positive labor relations while ensuring compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Participate in accident review board and labor-management discussions as appropriate.
• Build positive relationships with customers, government agencies, contractors, labor leadership, and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure operational commitments and customer expectations are consistently achieved.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures supporting safe, compliant, and efficient terminal operations.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements, innovation, automation, and process optimization.
• Support emergency response planning, business continuity, and incident management.
• Ensure required operational, safety, environmental, payroll, and financial reports are accurate and submitted timely.
• Maintain all required certifications, permits, and regulatory documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Maritime Operations, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Safety Management, Engineering, or related field.
• Equivalent combination of education and operational experience will be considered.
• 3+ years of progressive leadership experience in terminal operations, logistics, transportation, maritime, or heavy industrial operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading operations and safety initiatives.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TWIC card.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing waterfront, marine terminal, stevedoring, rail, or logistics operations.
• Experience leading union workforces and administering Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Strong understanding of OSHA regulations, maritime safety standards, and environmental compliance.
• Experience interacting with USCG, EPA, TSA, CBP, DHS, Port Authorities, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies.
• CPR/First Aid/AED certification or ability to obtain.
• Knowledge of Terminal Operating Systems (TOS), labor management systems, and operational analytics.
• Excellent communication, coaching, conflict resolution, and presentation skills.