Operations Manager – Vessel, Container Park & Warehousing

Responsibilities:

· Leadership & Operations Management: Oversee daily marine operations, managing a diverse team of operational staff across vessel operations, container park, and warehousing functions. Lead by example to ensure a safe and productive working environment, demonstrating strong leadership and problem-solving skills.

· Safety and Compliance: Ensure that all marine and terminal operations are carried out in compliance with health and safety standards, environmental regulations, and port policies. Actively engage with staff to promote a culture of safety and compliance throughout all operational areas.

· Efficiency & Productivity Improvements: Continuously assess operational processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement strategies to enhance productivity, reduce downtime, and optimise resource utilisation (personnel, equipment, and facilities).

· Union & Employee Relations: Foster and maintain positive relationships with union representatives and staff. Resolve any operational disputes or issues promptly and fairly, ensuring that employees are engaged and motivated within the framework of a unionised environment.

· Budget & Financial Management: Oversee the preparation and management of budgets for the marine and operational departments. Track costs and financial performance, ensuring cost-effective use of resources while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

· Strategic Planning & Reporting: Contribute to the development and execution of long-term operational strategies, ensuring alignment with overall company goals. Prepare and present regular operational performance reports to senior management, highlighting successes, challenges, and opportunities.

· Out-of-Hours Availability: Be on-call to assist with operational issues that may arise outside of regular hours, ensuring minimal disruption to services and effective problem resolution.

· Stakeholder Communication: Act as a liaison between operational teams and senior leadership, ensuring effective communication across all levels. Maintain excellent communication with external stakeholders, including shipping agents, suppliers, and clients.

Qualifications:

· Experience: A minimum of 5 years experience managing operations within the port and shipping industry. Experience in a unionised environment is highly desirable, along with a proven track record of managing operational staff effectively.

· Knowledge & Skills: Solid understanding of port operations, logistics, warehousing, and distribution. Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse team. A commercial mindset, with the ability to make decisions that improve profitability and efficiency.

· Problem-Solving: Ability to work under pressure and respond to changing priorities in a high-paced environment. Strong analytical and decision making skills to resolve operational challenges swiftly and effectively.

· Technical Proficiency: Proficient in the use of IT tools, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with operational software systems is an advantage.

· Qualifications: Ideally degree-qualified or possess a relevant professional qualification (e.g., Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers). Additional certifications such as auditor qualifications are desirable but not essential.

Team / role:

Port Shipping

Experience & Skills

· Leadership & People Management: Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve high levels of performance.

· Commercial Awareness: Understanding of the financial and commercial aspects of port operations and the ability to make sound business decisions.

· Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present information clearly at all levels of the organisation.

· Organisational Skills: Strong planning, organisational, and multitasking skills to manage competing priorities efficiently.

· Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and meet tight deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Further Information:

40 hours per week – Monday – Friday (out of hours on call as required).