Assistant Ops Manager - Safety

Safety Operations Manager

At Ports America, the Safety Operations Manager is a member of the site team responsible for directing the planning, execution, and supervision of daily terminal operations while leading the site's Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental programs.

This role provides operational leadership to ensure safe, efficient, productive, and compliant terminal operations while promoting a proactive safety culture across all departments. The Safety Operations Manager partners closely with site leadership, labor, maintenance, engineering, security, customers, and regulatory agencies to achieve operational excellence, financial performance, and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties:

• Oversee site operations to ensure safe, productive, and efficient cargo movement.
• Support the planning and supervision of assigned operational areas including labor, equipment utilization, vessel, rail, gate, yard, warehouse, or breakbulk activities as applicable.
• Execute operational plans that meet customer service expectations while maximizing productivity and controlling costs.
• Determine daily labor requirements and coordinate staffing to meet operational demands.
• Review payroll, labor utilization, overtime, and operational expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Monitor operational KPIs including productivity, safety, labor efficiency, equipment utilization, customer service, and financial performance.
• Lead implementation of Ports America's Health, Safety, Security & Environmental programs and standards.
• Champion a visible safety culture through coaching, field engagement, observations, and leadership presence.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, USCG, EPA, TSA, DHS, CBP, Port Authority, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Lead accident, injury, environmental, and near-miss investigations ensuring timely reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Monitor safety trends and implement preventive initiatives to reduce risk and improve performance.
• Coordinate safety audits, inspections, drills, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Facilitate site Safety Committee meetings and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Deliver safety orientation and ongoing safety training for management, employees, contractors, and labor.
• Partner with Regional Safety leadership during audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Assistant Operations Managers, coordinators, foremen, and other operational personnel.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability for operational, safety, and customer performance.
• Foster positive labor relations while ensuring compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Participate in accident review board and labor-management discussions as appropriate.
• Build positive relationships with customers, government agencies, contractors, labor leadership, and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure operational commitments and customer expectations are consistently achieved.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures supporting safe, compliant, and efficient terminal operations.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements, innovation, automation, and process optimization.
• Support emergency response planning, business continuity, and incident management.
• Ensure required operational, safety, environmental, payroll, and financial reports are accurate and submitted timely.
• Maintain all required certifications, permits, and regulatory documentation.

Physical Working Attributes:

• Frequent walking, standing, climbing, bending, and working throughout the terminal.
• Climb ladders, stairs, cranes, vessels, and equipment as operationally required.
• Lift, push, and pull up to 40 pounds.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Work around heavy equipment, moving vehicles, vessels, rail operations, and industrial machinery.
• May respond to emergencies outside of normal working hours.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Maritime Operations, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Safety Management, Engineering, or related field.
• Equivalent combination of education and operational experience will be considered.
• 3+ years of progressive leadership experience in terminal operations, logistics, transportation, maritime, or heavy industrial operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading operations and safety initiatives.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TWIC card.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing waterfront, marine terminal, stevedoring, rail, or logistics operations.
• Experience leading union work forces and administering Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Strong understanding of OSHA regulations, maritime safety standards, and environmental compliance.
• Experience interacting with USCG, EPA, TSA, CBP, DHS, Port Authorities, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies.
• CPR/First Aid/AED certification or ability to obtain.
• Knowledge of Terminal Operating Systems (TOS), labor management systems, and operational analytics.
• Excellent communication, coaching, conflict…