Director of Vessel Operations (Wilmington, NC)

Metro Ports is accepting applications for a Director of Vessel Operations (Wilmington, NC)

Qualifications & Skills Required

• Oversee all aspects of the Vessel operations at this facility.
• Communicate closely with the Terminal Manager regarding operational priorities.
• Manage a team to load and discharge any and all vessel operations at this facility.
• Ensure performance, productivity and profitability of the vessel operations is aligned with corporate and local objectives.
• Proactively engage Metro staff, customers, NCSPA staff, government agencies, brokers and agents regarding vessel operations as they relate to service satisfaction, vessel operations, regulatory requirements, contractual needs and other relevant matters as the situation requires. Insure all are in line with Corporate and Local objectives.
• Uphold local union/non-union and customer contractual obligations.
• Ensure adherence to established environmental compliance rules, processes & regulations.
• Assist in establishing and implementing local policies, practices, short- and long-term goals and operating procedures, as necessary, to meet local and corporate objectives.
• Act as liaison to operational NCSPA personnel and other applicable local and federal agencies and organizations.
• Communicate local market conditions, opportunities and constraints that derive from vessel operations, as well as customer and local network contacts.
• Ensure adherence to all vessel related regulatory reporting requirements, as applicable.
• Responsible for vessel superintendent development, morale, and annual evaluations.
• Assist Terminal Manager in overall terminal personnel development, morale and annual evaluations.
• Take ownership of established local safety program and work closely with Safety Director to identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure all applicable corporate communications are effectively, efficiently, and timely disseminated to local staff.
• Continuously evaluate local procedures for improvements.
• Oversee, manage and direct daily priorities vessel activities as they relate to labor requisitions and requirement for ship loading, unloading, clean ups.
• Effectively prioritizes vessel labor in times of labor shortages to maximize desired vessel objectives.
• Hire and terminate vessel superintendent staff through Human Resources.
• Handle local labor grievances and complaints; coordinate with Human Resources.
• Approve purchase orders, supply requisitions, and invoices within established scope of authority.
• Approve time and attendance, overtime and time cards of subordinates.
• Responsible for the cleanliness of the terminal following vessel operations.
• Responsible for the safe operations, and conduct necessary inspections of mobile and fixed terminal stevedoring equipment and gear.
• Responsible for participating in all mandatory training requirements, as directed by Federal, State, and local government agency directives and Company guidelines. Also, ensure subordinates receive the same training.
• Provide direction and support of establishment of a stevedoring training process, which instills Metro’s work methods and stevedoring philosophy.
• Encourage and support the established corporate and local culture, which includes a positive work environment. One that clearly establishes Metro’s ways of conducting business that will set us apart from our competition.
• Assist in efforts to expand and diversify Metro’s presence within individual customers’ supply chain, including providing more than just stevedoring services, such as warehousing and value added services.
• Encourage team members to view their position within Metro as more than just a job and part of an overall bigger team by emphasizing the importance of each role within the process.
• Provide the guidance and set the example of clear and open communication amongst all individuals within the local team.
• Encourage cross training and open communication within the local team.
• Assist in developing written work processes for key functions within the facility.
• Listen to team members’ feedback, and resolve any issues or conflicts.
• Encourage open communication with all members of the company to eliminate silos.
• Establish local contacts (agents, vendors, ILA management, Port Authority operations management, etc.) that will help facilitate and improve local operations.

Additional Responsibilities

• Work with consultants and vendors as required.
• Assist in developing forecasts and budgets.
• Assist other terminal operations, when able, to address other operational, engineering or maintenance issues.
• Participate in industry functions and attend meetings.
• Ensure regular, predictable, consistent, and reliable attendance of subordinates and work load requirements.
• Work weekends and holidays as vessel schedules require.
• Oversee all aspects of the day-to-day vessel operations of the Metro Ports cargo location.
• Attend and participate in local monthly Accident Review Committee meetings ILA/Management.
• Serve as an Alternate Trustee to the NC ILA Pension and Welfare Board.
• Attend and participate in quarterly ILA Headers meetings.
• Attend and participate in local ILA grievances.
• Create and implement SOPs, BMPs and expectations for Vessel Superintendents/operations functions.
• Ensure vessel schedule is up to date and disseminated to local entities and ILA.
• Foster the development and implementation of Vessel Operating System (Sailfish).
• Maintain relationships with local Business Agents and ensure labor orders are accurate and timely.
• Coordinate stowage and vessel operations planning with Superintendents.
• Ensure vessel invoices capture all available revenues and approve in a timely manner.
• Maintain key customer relationships within and outside of vessel operations department (SQM, LinkOne, etc.).
• Collaborate on warehouse storage planning with Terminal Operations Manager.
• Approve AP invoices.
• Contribute to annual budget.

Education and/or Work Experience

• Equivalent of a High School diploma plus a minimum of 5+ years of progressively responsible, related, experience, including a background in a position such as Terminal Operations Supervisor/ Superintendent.
• Knowledge of operating procedures for all terminal equipment, such as mobile and fixed operations equipment, ship loader, and ship’s gear crane.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business or Logistics, preferred.
• Ability to acquire TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) Card.

For more information and to apply for this position click here.
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