Assistant Operations Manager - Yard Planning

In the maritime industry, where colossal ships dock, and millions of tons of cargo are moved with precision, it takes teams of dedicated individuals to keep global trade in motion. Working in this dynamic sector means that you play a part in ensuring the pulse of commerce never skips a beat, all while driving the future of supply chain logistics and marine terminal operations.

Dive into a career where your talents make an impact and help us steer the future of this vital sector. Every job function in our organization, whether it’s on the docks or behind the scenes in administrative roles, finance, payroll, or IT, has a significant impact on the national economy and critical supply chain operations.

At Ports America, the Assistant Operations Manager – Yard Planning is responsible for all work activity within the yard working closely with the Yard Department, Rail Department, Marine Department and Gate Staff, ensuring operational efficiency within the yard before, during and after operations.

Essential Duties:

• Manage and coordinate terminal yard operations continually reviewing and initiating action to control the physical activities in a safe and cost-effective manner. Ensuring yard planners and are meeting requirements.
• Manage yard planning to ensure all requirements are met for stacking and on terminal stowage of containers to meet gate and stevedoring expectations.
• Fully functional as yard planner and supervisor. Performing those Position Duties and Responsibilities as necessary to provide adequate coverage of functions.
• Ensure the needs of all customers, internal and external, (truck lines, steamship lines, vessel, gate) are balanced with proper priorities.
• Consult Yard and Gate Manager to assist in setting appointment limits, maximum trucker moves and yard capacity.
• Coordinate with Yard and Gate manager on empty replenishment plans taking vessel berthing into account.
• Monitor and plan space availability, utilizing Expert Decking and Yard Planning tools, for: Import and Export containers based on discharge and load back procedures.
• Coordinate with Yard Supervision regarding specific planning details (CET, POP&TAP, AQI, RAIL, REEFERS, etc.)
• Coordinate with Vessel Planner regarding specific requirements for container stacking (imports and exports).
• Develop number of export containers to be received per vessel and obtain discharge information from Vessel Planner in order allocate yard space accordingly.
• Manage export-receiving windows in accordance with Terminal inventory levels. Update TOS as required.
• Continuously monitor current yard strategies and upgrade where needed.
• Continuously monitor yard plan to ensure export containers are stacked in the nominated positions.
• Continuously monitor yard plan to minimize fail to deck or other problems that will stop the gate operation.
• Ensure XPS/N4 tasks are updated and completed.
• Assign equipment in XPS to job / location as requested by Vessel Planner and Yard S
• Monitors and manages responses to queries received from Yard supervisor and Yard Clerks as to wrongly placed containers.
• Coordinate export bookings and late arrivals with Vessel Planner and Yard Supervisor.
• Ensure compliance with O.H.S.A. and the PAC H.S.E. procedures. Ensure all staff and labor follow all H.S.E. procedures; immediately reporting discrepancies and taking corrective action. Ensure all accidents and incidents are immediately reported, investigated and corrective action taken.
• Coordinate housekeeping moves with Yard Supervision.
• Prepare daily operating forecast.
• Train all Yard Planners.
• Liaise with Customer Service to assist in Truck Driver Issues.
• Liaise with regulatory firms (USCG, CBP, USDA, NCB) for container/yard inspections and information as needed.
• Consult with Yard Supers with special requirements (Damaged Containers, Seals and Inspections).
• Manage system work queue for optimum RTG performance from road, rail to housekeeping and back depending on volume.
• Ensure that misplaced containers are updated and correctly verified for increased production on truck-line.
• Report container damage to M&R Reps.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Working Attributes:

• Work in terminal yard or on vessel
• The environment may be hazardous to persons unable to see and hear fast moving heavy equipment.
• Observe all safety and health requirements for container terminal environment
• Work in changing hot and cold climates based on weather conditions
• Work in an environment with moving objects and machinery

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• 5 years of terminal operations experience in Planning and Stevedoring Operations.
• Obtain and maintain TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Card) issued by the Department of Homeland Security
• Obtain and maintain a Maryland Port Administration Badge.
• Valid US Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher
• Experience with related union contracts and managing labor.
• Experience with computerized operating systems.
• Knowledge of safety and accident prevention codes and regulations, and related industry governmental regulations.
• High degree of computer literacy in Terminal Operating Systems (i.e. NAVIS SPARCS/N4, Tideworks, etc…).
• Creative thinking to resolve difficult and complex situations.
• Sense of Urgency & Self-Starter Mentality
• Proven leadership skills.
• High level of planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional time management, due to fast moving, demanding work environment.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Ports America is an Equal Opportunity Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; national origin; sex (including pregnancy); sexual orientation; gender identity and/or expression; age; disability; genetic information, citizenship status; military service obligations or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

MD Pay Transparency - $68k - $72k per year

This role does not offer sponsorship for work authorization. External applicants must be eligible to work in the US.

If you require additional information about our comprehensive data privacy policy (https://artifacts.portsamerica.com/pdf/California Consumer Privacy Act Employee Disclosure.pdf), we invite you to contact us via email at human.resources@portsamerica.com. Our dedicated team at Ports America will be pleased to address any specific inquiries or concerns you may have regarding the handling, protection, and security of your data. We are committed to ensuring the utmost privacy and confidentiality of your personal information and will gladly provide you with the necessary details to help you better understand our practices and protocols.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.