Salary Expectations: $105,000 - $132,000Position SummaryThe Operations Manager oversees cruise stevedoring operations, managing ILWU labor, foremen, and casual workers to ensure safe, efficient, and customer-focused cargo handling. This role maintains strong relationships with clients and union personnel, ensures compliance with safety standards, and supports operational planning, staffing, and performance management.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities- Supervises and directs labor, foremen, and casual workers, ensuring performance expectations and customer needs are met.
- Serves as primary contact for cruise line clients and terminal stakeholders.
- Coordinates with Ship Agents, Terminal Management, and service providers to ensure smooth operations.
- Plans and oversees operation setup, including labor ordering and equipment checks.
- Participates in pre-shift meetings and support policy implementation.
- Reviews and approves payrolls for unionized labor, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Counsels, disciplines, and manages foremen and supervisory clerks as needed.
- Coaches, evaluates, and manages performance of foremen and labor staff in alignment with company and union policies.
- Supports hiring, onboarding, and labor planning to ensure staffing needs are met and operations run smoothly.
- Monitors safety compliance, conducts safety meetings, and leads incident investigations.
- Orders parts and maintains equipment readiness for operations.
- Maintains office supplies and troubleshoot minor IT issues as needed.
- Updates vessel calendar and ensures operational documentation is current.
- Performance Goal: Achieve 95% on-time vessel turnaround rate and reduce labor-related incidents by 15% within the first year.
- Travels to other ports in the Gulf or East Coast as required.
- Demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, and multitasking in a dynamic operational environment to meet shifting priorities and client needs.
- Other duties as assigned by Sr Operations Manager.
Qualifications Required:- Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- Experience: 2-4 years in maritime operations, preferably with union labor supervision.
- Licenses: Valid driver's license; valid TWIC card or ability to obtain and maintain.
- Knowledge:
- Strong understanding of ILWU contracts and safety codes.
- Familiarity with inventory control, freight, shipping, and terminal systems.
- Skills:
- Strong leadership and team-first mindset.
- Proficiency in planning, organizing, and process improvement.
- Ability to communicate effectively across all levels.
- Exceptional attention to detail and customer service orientation.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
Preferred:- Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Business, or related field.
- Additional Experiences:
- Experience in cruise or maritime cargo operations.
- Prior union personnel supervision.
- Skills:
- Budgeting, financial analysis, and marketing.
- Presentation and relationship management.
Physical Demands & Work Environment- Physical Demands: The physical demands described here represent those that are typically required to perform the essential functions of this position. This role requires the ability to see, hear, speak, stand, walk, bend and communicate clearly. Manual dexterity is needed for operating standard office equipment. The position may occasionally involve lifting items up to 10-50 pounds and may require travel to active work sites to meet accountabilities.
- Work Environment: Work is typically performed in a clean, well-lit, and climate-controlled office environment with low to moderate noise levels. Occasional visits to field locations may be required, including active job sites with varying weather conditions and potential exposure to noise, dust, and other occupational hazards. Safety protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE) are provided and required as appropriate.
Benefits - Paid vacation and holiday pay.
- Health, dental and vision (employee contribution required).
- 401(k) with company matching contribution.
- Bonus eligible.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Pet insurance (employee contribution required).
