Assistant Operations Manager

About the role

Join APM Terminals Elizabeth, a major gateway on the U.S. East Coast, where you will lead daily yard operations in a high‑volume, safety‑focused environment. Your decisions will directly impact container flow through the Port of New York / New Jersey and support critical supply chains.

Key responsibilities

• Lead daily execution of yard operations, deploying labor and equipment safely and efficiently.
• Direct ILA Foremen and Chief Supervisors to optimize labor utilization and manage costs.
• Monitor yard performance, reallocating resources in real time to maintain operational flow.
• Utilize terminal operating systems (Navis N4/XPS, SmartMap, GOS/TAS, TERMPoint) and dashboards for deployment decisions.
• Analyze operational data and yard utilization trends to identify constraints and implement improvements.
• Support labor relations through coaching, performance management, and safety enforcement.
• Partner with Vessel, Rail, Gate, Planning, Asset Maintenance, HSSE, and other teams to ensure seamless terminal operations.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration or related field.
• Minimum two years of supervisory or management experience in operations, transportation, warehousing, stevedoring or comparable military environment.
• Experience leading in a unionized labor setting with strong communication and coaching skills.
• Strong decision‑making ability, safety focus, and continuous‑improvement mindset.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain a TWIC and Port Access Card.

Required skills

• Proficiency with Navis N4/XPS, SmartMap, GOS/TAS, TERMPoint terminal systems.
• Experience using Microsoft Office and Power BI for reporting and analysis.
• Ability to interpret operational data, perform yard space and density analysis, and translate insights into actions.

What we offer

• Dynamic learning and training culture with opportunities for skill development and career advancement.
• Rotational operating model providing broad exposure across terminal functions.
• Collaborative, multinational workplace focused on safety, productivity, and continuous improvement.