Reefer ManagerWhat We Can OfferAt APM Terminals, we foster a dynamic learning and training culture that empowers our employees to excel. Our commitment to improvement means every team member has the opportunity to develop their skills and advance their careers by continuously refining how we work. Experience a diverse, multinational workplace where your operational insights directly influence how we work.
- Lead critical refrigerated cargo operations that directly impact customer satisfaction, cargo integrity, regulatory compliance, and terminal performance.
- Work across operational, maintenance, engineering, planning, and customer-facing teams to drive reliability and continuous improvement.
- Utilize advanced operational systems, reefer monitoring platforms, and Power BI reporting to support data-driven decision making.
- Contribute to terminal transformation and operational excellence initiatives.
APM Terminals Elizabeth operates the Port of New York and New Jersey's largest refrigerated container capacity. As Reefer Manager, you will be responsible for the overall management of reefer operations, maintenance activities, and refrigerated container infrastructure across the terminal. You will lead safe, reliable, and efficient temperature-controlled cargo handling while ensuring compliance with customer requirements, regulatory standards, and operational expectations.
Key Responsibilities:- Manage all reefer operations and maintenance activities across the terminal, ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient handling of temperature-controlled cargo.
- Ensure continuous availability and reliability of reefer power infrastructure, monitoring systems, racks, outlets, and related assets while coordinating reefer capacity and operational readiness.
- Oversee pre-trip inspections (PTI), reefer monitoring, temperature control, fault diagnostics, repairs, alarm response activities, and emergency interventions to protect cargo integrity.
- Coordinate closely with Operations, Planning, Vessel Operations, Yard, Rail, and Customer Service teams to ensure uninterrupted reefer services and compliance with customer and shipping line requirements.
- Develop and execute preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs; monitor equipment performance, conduct root cause analysis, and implement reliability improvement initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with USDA, CBP, FDA, customer requirements, cold-treatment protocols, electrical safety regulations, environmental standards, ISO requirements, and terminal operating procedures.
- Promote a strong safety culture through safety observations, toolbox talks, audits, risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective and preventive actions.
- Manage reefer operational and maintenance budgets, develop CAPEX and OPEX forecasts, support procurement activities, and oversee contractor, vendor, and service agreement performance.
- Lead, coach, and develop reefer technicians, foremen, supervisors, and support staff while fostering accountability, engagement, workforce development, and continuous improvement.
- Drive Lean, 5S, operational excellence, digitalization, and terminal transformation initiatives while developing and tracking KPIs to improve service levels, asset reliability, safety performance, and operational efficiency.
What We Are Looking For:- Continuous improvement mindset: we are looking for someone who brings a thoughtful improvement mindset-curious about how work gets done and motivated to make meaningful, sustainable improvements over time.
- Leadership expectation: We are looking for people who consistently put customers first, lead by example with respect for people, deliver results with integrity, and drive continuous improvement by solving problems at the root, developing people, and raising standards every day.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Refrigeration Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field; relevant refrigeration or technical certifications are preferred.
- 5-10 years of experience in reefer operations, refrigerated container handling, terminal operations, industrial maintenance, or asset management, with at least 3 years of leadership experience.
- Strong knowledge of refrigerated container systems, cold chain management, electrical infrastructure, reliability engineering, root cause analysis, and maintenance best practices.
- Familiarity with reefer monitoring technologies, Navis N4/XPS, regulatory requirements, unionized labor environments, and contractor management is highly valued.
- Demonstrated ability to manage safety performance, operational priorities, budgets, stakeholder relationships, and decision-making in a fast-paced operational environment.
- TWIC Card eligibility and the ability to obtain required port access credentials.
Salary: $110K - $120K
Location: Elizabeth, NJ (5 days in office)
Notice to applicants applying to positions in the United States
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
