General Manager Container Operations

General Manager Container Operations – Barbours Cut Terminal

Position Summary:

Leads and manages all aspects of vessel and yard operations at Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals, including customer service, gate operations, rail administration, and facilities management for ops/admin staffing areas at the Container Terminals. Maintains annual budget forecasts and ensures the container terminals deliver expected KPIs from a service and financial perspective. Participates in long‑term and strategic planning and works across all Port Houston divisions to provide visibility into terminal operations, including development of new and existing customers, users, and all other external stakeholders.

Manages Terminal Managers, the Customer Service Manager, and Yard Planning Operations.

• Identify and implement operational strategic initiatives that meet yearly key performance metrics benchmarks.
• Manage vessel and yard operations to optimize productivity and safety for both container facilities.
• Oversee management of ILA labor costs, representing approximately $60 million annually in expenses.
• Lead labor relations and negotiations with ILA and work to resolve disputes and enforce discipline.
• Lead customer service and gate operations, and support administration of rail operations and business development.
• Establish and maintain relationships with ocean carriers, agents, brokers, forwarders, truck lines, cargo interests, stevedores, and labor.
• Support growth of Port Houston container terminal through technology implementation and project execution.
• Evaluate processes and technologies for operational improvements to adapt to a rapidly changing industry.
• Coordinate between Operations and Maintenance to ensure equipment reliability for terminal operations.
• Provide staffing, training, and supervision of all work performed by the Port Houston Container Operations staff, including a large group of ILA workers.
• Supervise, measure, and coordinate adjustments to maintain productive performance of terminal operations, including gate, road, vessel, and yard.
• Prepare and monitor the annual operating budget for the department; analyze and report variances in revenue and expense on a monthly and quarterly basis; provide information on developing trends.
• Maintain the capital investment budget for container facilities; review and provide financial justification for all capital purchases for terminals.
• Assist the Director of Container Operations as the container operations liaison for all Port Houston divisions, providing visibility into terminal operations for customers, government officials, public involvement, safety, security, environmental stewardship, infrastructure, channel improvements, and all other stakeholders.
• Provide detailed support and analysis of monthly financials; develop tools to measure terminal productivity to ensure Port Houston maximizes cash flows from the container terminals.
• Establish and preserve appropriate relationships with customers, facility users, and labor, and require staff to do the same.
• Assist the Director of Container Operations to establish and maintain up‑to‑date ILA labor work rules that ensure a competitive and efficient operation.
• Lead efforts in promoting and achieving a safe work environment for all employees at the facilities.
• Maintain relationship with WGMA for payroll processing and ILA safety and training.
• Manage the rates, rules, and requirements as set out in Tariffs 14 and 15, and recommend proactive changes based upon market conditions.
• Promote the organisation's safety culture and perform quarterly safety audits.
• Act in accordance with Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you).
• Perform other duties as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Maritime Administration, Operations Management, Transportation, or a related major from a public or accredited private institution.
• 10+ years of related terminal operations experience.

• Knowledge of Port Houston initiatives, terminal systems, tariffs, HR policies, procurement processes, department processes,…