Operations Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Operations Manager is responsible for managing and supervising employees and all phases of terminal operations activities including the cost-efficient use of labor and stevedore equipment, supervision of labor, and preparation and distribution of comprehensive and accurate operations reports.

NATURE AND SCOPE

Due to the nature of our business, work shifts may fluctuate dependent upon vessel arrival schedules and operational requirements. Must be available to work weekends, day and night shift and long hours (up to 12 hours per shift and adapt to changes in work schedules as needed. Work schedule may include “flip” in shifts (day and night shift within the same day or week).

This position offers great opportunity for an individual to demonstrate their capabilities of supervising employees, planning efficient operations, organization, leadership, management, and overall knowledge of terminal operations. The position requires aggressive and innovative decision-making and management skills that result in a harmonious and successful operation.

Functions within terminal operations (yard/gate/vessel, etc.) are fully integrated. The incumbent will be fully trained in all job responsibilities and in addition to those job responsibilities, may be called upon to assist in all areas of terminal operations on an as-needed basis.

Terminal operations are to be carefully thought out, organized and planned prior to and during the operation. These plans and their activation must be done in conjunction with all other related and/or impacted activities and must always take into consideration safety, efficiency, cost effectiveness and production. Research and intelligent anticipation are key ingredients in accomplishing a successful plan as all terminal activities are extremely fluid and ever changing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following describes the general nature and level of work but is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, and responsibilities required of the incumbent. Consequently, incumbents may be asked to perform other duties as required. 

The incumbent has the authority to make the final decision regarding the following:

SUPERVISION OF LABOR

The incumbent is expected to supervise all hourly-paid employees working in the assigned area. This is to be accomplished primarily through the management and direction of longshore foremen, supercargoes, and chief supervisors, and through the direct supervision of planners. The incumbent will be held accountable for the performance of employees under the incumbent’s supervision. The incumbent will have the authority to, and is expected to exercise authority, in each of the following areas:

• Recruitment

Interview candidates for steady positions, including foremen, supercargoes, chief supervisors and planners, all steady longshore labor, and department staff. Make the final hiring decisions.

• Work Assignments

• Determine manning requirements and assign employees to work shifts (day-swing-night and weekend). Authorize extra pay and overtime. 
• Accountable for the work performed by employees under the incumbent’s supervision to ensure that all work assignments are completed properly and safely.
• Responsible for all decisions with respect to scheduling and interruption in work.
• Determine amount of labor and equipment necessary to cost-effectively satisfy the customer’s requirements. 
• Decide how a ship will be worked by extending work shifts if necessary to meet vessel’s sailing time. 
• Keep accurate payroll records. Review and sign original timesheets prior to processing. 
• Conduct periodic performance assessments.

• Discipline

• Decide upon and carry out discipline, or direct longshore foremen, supercargoes, and chief supervisors to carry out discipline, in accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). 
• Investigate the facts concerning alleged misconduct and poor performance by longshore personnel, and make decisions whether to fire (i.e., send back to the hall) and whether to file an employer complaint. Prepare employer complaints when warranted ensuring accuracy in the description of the incident. Represent the Company at the LRC meeting.
• Take immediate and corrective action when labor is not carrying out work properly or safely. Includes warning, citing, or terminating the worker, consistent with applicable longshore contractual agreements.
• Utilize the applicable labor agreements and grievance adjustment procedures.
  • Adjustment of Grievances - Any grievance brought to the incumbent’s attention will be handled expeditiously. The incumbent will investigate the issue thoroughly and use independent judgment in adjusting the grievance. If the grievance carriers over to another part of the TraPac operation, the incumbent will work with the manager responsible for that area.

ALLOCATION OF LABOR

• Distribute steady labor to ensure best possible coverage for each operation. Must know the strengths and weaknesses of the labor force to determine what assignment would best suite the requirements of the operation.
• Order supplemental labor through the various dispatch halls, ever mindful of specific times for ordering and canceling labor for each shift.
• Study and apply all labor allocation rules and track the number of steady clerks and bosses, as well as clerks and bosses from the hall.
• Study and apply union rules regarding dispatching, crane operator manning and steady skilled workers.

TERMINAL OPERATIONS

• Ensure the strict adherence with the International Maritime Dangerous Cargo code and the Code of Federal Regulations (IMDG and CFR) for hazardous cargo. 
• Instruct frontline supervision at the start of each shift regarding maintaining a safe working environment at all times. Give safety talks regarding the safe and proper method of performing job duties and the wearing of safety equipment and proper P.P.E.
• Prepare a productivity report for assigned department. This report must be updated on a shift-by-shift basis and includes manpower for each shift. The report must be balanced against the dispatch log at the end of each shift. 
• Coordinate closely with M&R (Maintenance and Repair) to ensure equipment demand/availability and triage plans are executed.
• Coordinate vessel schedules, pro-forma integrity, gang structure and oversight/assignment of dispatch, steady scheduling and LRCs.

VESSEL OPERATIONS

• Constantly monitor the progress of vessel operation and make adjustments when necessary. Communicate with the vessel agent regarding all aspects of the operation.
• Prepare a vessel productivity report for each vessel. This report must be updated on a shift-by-shift basis and includes manpower for each shift. The report must be balanced against the supercargo shift report at the end of each shift. The report is then totaled and detailed against inbound and outbound cargo manifests and submitted to Senior Management. 

YARD AND GATE OPERATIONS

• Direct, supervise and analyze all gate and yard preplanning activities and their overall physical operation, in order to ensure customer servicing requirements are met. 

RAIL OPERATIONS (If Applicable)

• Manage and supervise on-dock rail activities to ensure a high level of safety and production, and effective coordination with rail carriers and customers. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Job Location 
  • Indoor: office building
  • Outdoor: terminal yard, onboard vessel, cargo handling equipment and other structures.
• Environmental Conditions
  • Daily exposure to weather conditions, dirt, dust, loud noise, fumes, vibration, darkness or poor lighting, hazardous materials.
•  Physical Requirements
  • Strength demand: ability to exert sufficient force to lift up to 50 lbs. with frequent lift/carry up to 25 lbs. 
  • Climbing: agility required to ascent or descent stairs, ramps, ladders and similar equipment, i.e., bridge or structure to embark or disembark vessel.
  • Standing: ability to remain in standing position especially for sustained periods of time.
  • Walking: ability to frequently move about on foot.
  • Bend at the waist: ability to bend the body downward, forward or side to side.
  • Talking: ability to express or change information by means of the spoken word.
  • Reaching: ability to extend hands or arms in any direction.
  • Pulling: ability to exert sufficient force to draw, drag or otherwise move objects in a sustained motion.
  • Balance: exceeding the ordinary need for balance in maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when climbing on unstable surfaces.
  • Hearing: ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make discriminations in sound.
  • Kneeling: ability to bend legs at knee or come to rest on knee(s).
• Ability to drive company vehicles 
  • On even and uneven surfaces, around heavy cargo handling equipment and construction zones.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• BS/BA degree in Marine Administration, Transportation, Operations Management, Engineering, or equivalent work experience working in management.
• 2-5 years managing related union labor
• Thorough knowledge of principals of terminal operations including:
  • All vessel stevedoring procedures 
  • Container handling
  • Both conventional and automation break bulk
  • Securing cargo and containers
  • Rail Operations
• Experience with computerized operating systems.

SKILLS AND APTITUDES

• Knowledge of safety and accident prevention codes and regulations.
• Knowledge and understanding of cargo stowage and stability strongly desired.
• Knowledge of labor contracts and local port rules to ensure vessel operations are in compliance and to be able to handle labor disputes when necessary.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a valid, unrestricted driver license and acceptable driving record.