Shift Lead - Westwego, LA

Shift Lead - Westwego, LA

Position Summary
The Shift Lead is responsible for providing frontline leadership and coordinating all stevedoring, vessel, barge, fleet, and terminal operations during an assigned shift. This position oversees the safe, efficient, and productive execution of daily operations while ensuring compliance with company policies, environmental standards, and all applicable OSHA and maritime regulations.
Serving as the primary operational leader during the assigned shift, the Shift Lead coordinates personnel, equipment, cargo handling activities, and terminal operations to support business objectives and operational continuity. This position works closely with Operations leadership to promote a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement while ensuring employees have the direction and resources necessary to perform their work safely and effectively.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
The Shift Lead is responsible for leading daily stevedoring and terminal operations while ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements. This position provides frontline leadership to operational crews while coordinating manpower, equipment, vessel activities, and shift operations to support business objectives.

Leadership & Operational Coordination
Provide day-to-day leadership and coordinate shift operations to ensure safe, efficient, and productive terminal activities.

• Receive turnover briefings and review operational status, priorities, manpower requirements, and equipment availability to ensure operational continuity.
• Coordinate vessel scheduling, berth assignments, cargo movement, fleet activities, and daily operational priorities.
• Assign work responsibilities, conduct safety meetings and work briefings, and monitor crew productivity and work quality.
• Coach, mentor, and provide ongoing direction and feedback to employees while fostering a positive, professional, and accountable work environment.
• Identify operational risks, resolve personnel concerns appropriately, and communicate operational updates to leadership and shift personnel.
• Maintain effective communication through operational reports, shift summaries, time record verification, HELM work order approvals, and monitoring operational alerts.

Safety, Compliance & Equipment Management
Promote a strong safety culture while ensuring compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and efficient operation of terminal equipment and facilities.

• Promote a zero-incident culture by enforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Safe Work Practices (SWPs), Essential Safe Life Practices (ESLP), OSHA regulations, and applicable maritime requirements.
• Conduct safety and operational inspections, lead emergency response activities, investigate incidents, and participate in corrective action efforts.
• Verify operational readiness of vessels, barges, equipment, and cargo handling operations prior to beginning work activities.
• Coordinate loading, unloading, fleet movements, and barge inspections to ensure safe and efficient marine operations.
• Complete and approve HELM inspections, coordinate preventative maintenance activities, report equipment downtime, and verify repairs before returning equipment to service.
• Maintain clean, organized, and environmentally responsible work areas while supporting housekeeping standards and environmental stewardship initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Leadership Competencies
Successful candidates will demonstrate strong leadership, sound decision-making, and the ability to effectively direct terminal operations in a fast-paced marine environment. The Shift Lead is expected to build trust through consistent leadership while fostering a positive, team-oriented culture centered on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Key competencies include:

• Lead, motivate, coach, and develop operational teams while promoting accountability and employee engagement.
• Make timely, informed operational decisions while effectively organizing and prioritizing multiple responsibilities.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with employees, leadership, contractors, customers, and business partners.
• Demonstrate strong time management, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
• Lead by example while promoting a strong safety culture and ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Adapt to changing operational priorities while maintaining focus on safety, productivity, customer service, and operational efficiency.
• Build collaborative relationships across crews, departments, and leadership teams to support operational success.
• Exercise sound judgment and professionalism when addressing operational and personnel matters.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Lift up to 35 pounds.
• Walk, stand, bend, kneel, climb ladders, gangways, barges, and marine equipment, and work on uneven surfaces for extended periods.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, wind, and humidity.
• Wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Regularly work in an active marine and terminal environment with exposure to vessels, barges, moving equipment, heavy machinery, dust, noise, and other industrial conditions.
• Work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, and respond to operational issues or emergencies as business needs require.

Performance Expectations
Success in this position is measured by the ability to provide effective frontline leadership while maintaining safe, productive, and efficient terminal operations. Performance is evaluated through:

• Maintaining a strong safety culture and commitment to incident prevention.
• Achieving operational productivity and customer service objectives.
• Maximizing equipment uptime through effective coordination and maintenance oversight.
• Ensuring accurate operational documentation and timely communication.
• Building engaged, accountable, and high-performing teams that support safe, reliable, and efficient marine operations.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of marine or stevedoring experience preferred.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Computer proficiency, including HELM and Microsoft Office, is preferred.

Benefits
ADM offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees’ health, financial well-being, career growth, and work-life balance.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
• Prescription drug coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company-paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Weekly Pay
• Tuition reimbursement and development opportunities
• Internal career growth opportunities across ADM and ARTCo operations

Why Join ADM / ARTCo
ADM’s American River Transportation Company is a key part of ADM’s transportation and logistics network, supporting the movement of agricultural products and other materials through inland river operations. ARTCo provides barge, towing, harbor, fleeting, and related marine services across major river systems, including the Mississippi River.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check. 

REF:113785BR