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Sr Operations Manager

Ports America Shared Services, Inc.
Nov 21, 2025
Description

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. Where the pulse of global trade meets the precision of maritime excellence, at Ports America, we don't just move cargo; we drive the nation's economic engine!

Summary:

At Port Newark Container Terminal, the Sr. Operations Manager - Engineering will be responsible for directing all aspects of civil expansion projects as well as the facilities maintenance departments. This role requires a proactive, self-motivated professional to manage construction projects within the terminal on a daily basis including hands-on field work to oversee all stages of project execution, ensuring quality and timely delivery. The Sr. Operations Manager will collaborate closely with PNCT's Engineering Department and actively participate in internal meetings as well as discussions with consultants and contractors. In addition to project management responsibilities, this role will be responsible for assessing the facility conditions, identifying areas requiring attention, develop plans, budgets, and recommendations for ongoing maintenance and improvements.

Essential Duties:



  • Prepare conceptual and/or working plans for terminal improvements, modifications, and developments.
  • Prepare operating capacity models for storage, traffic, and equipment utilization.
  • In coordination with the Terminals' Operation groups, lead the preparation of Preliminary Design & Performance Criteria to ensure compliance with the enterprise and BU goals in terminal development projects.
  • Prepare Requests for Proposals for engineering services covering all aspects of marine terminal improvement, at all levels of execution.
  • Prepare Requests for Bids for construction services covering any aspect of marine terminal improvement.
  • Negotiate contracts for design and construction services using Ports America's standardized tools.
  • Prepare, update and maintain Standard Practice Manuals and Guidelines related to the engaging, execution, monitoring and governance of all planning, engineering and construction-related activities for Ports America.
  • Oversee all aspects of design by consultants, and support communication between consultants and internal management.
  • Oversee all aspects of construction, including directing Owner's Representative/CM, ensure integration between construction and operational activities, assure quality in the constructed product, and ensure that all regulatory and permitting requirements are being met.
  • Engage with Port Authority Engineering staff, acting as an informed communication bridge for facility management.
  • Engage with Port Authority Environmental personnel, to assure that all permits are properly prepared, enacted, and enforced.
  • Engage with Business Units operation and management staff, to communicate potential engineering solutions to operational problems, and to garner support for necessary engineering projects.
  • Engage with the larger maritime engineering community, bringing new development, equipment, and operational improvements to the attention of appropriate internal management.
  • Conduct daily field inspections to monitor progress, quality, and compliance with safety standards.
  • Coordinate with PNCT's Engineering Department to align project objectives and technical requirements.
  • Review facility conditions regularly to identify maintenance needs and areas of concern.
  • Develop maintenance plans, budgets, and recommendations for facility upkeep and improvements.
  • Ensure adherence to project timelines, budgets, and regulatory requirements.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate project documentation and reports.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Domestic Travel - 25%



Financial Responsibility:



  • Prepare reliable conceptual cost estimates for construction of marine terminal infrastructure.
  • Prepare reliable conceptual cost estimates for the operating and maintenance costs for marine container terminals.
  • Engage closely with financial professionals to develop comprehensive business models for new or heavily modified terminal facilities.
  • Judge the accuracy and acceptability of consultant, vendor, and contractor invoices, against services performed, work executed, and deliverables provided.
  • Review track and approve change work orders from contractors during the construction process



Supervisory Responsibility:



  • Oversee the work of the Owner's Representative or equivalent during the execution of on-site construction projects.
  • Oversee and judge the work of consulting engineers providing civil, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering services.
  • Oversee and control the work of contractors engaged for all manner of potential site improvements, including, civil, structural, waterfront, power/electrical, utility, architectural, and instrumental projects.


Physical Working Conditions:



  • Move freely and safely around an operating marine terminal without assistance and climb equipment access ladders and stairways.
  • Tolerance for heights, including work on open gratings and work near high openings up to 200 feet above ground level.



Minimum Requirements (Education, Experience, Certifications):



  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field
  • Minimum 5+ years of experience in construction project management, preferably in terminal or industrial environments.
  • Professional Engineering registration from one of the United States.
  • Requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TWIC Card issued by the Department of Homeland Security.
  • Requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Port Access Card issued by the NJ State Police.
  • A valid Driver's License in good standing is required.


Preferred Requirements:



  • Strong knowledge of construction processes, safety standards, and regulatory compliance.
  • Working knowledge and understanding of Project Management Work Breakdown Structures and ability to develop Gantt charts in MS Project
  • Must have excellent organizational and time management skills.
  • Must have excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) as well as professional presentation skills. Must be able to present to site managers and corporate executives with balanced, informed engineering judgment as to capital cost, durability, risk, and operational performance.
  • Strong collaboration skills for working with internal teams and external partners.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Must be self-sustaining, able to produce quality technical information, in clear and concise format, without reliance on a "production" engineering staff.
  • Must have a working knowledge of Discrete Event Simulation.
  • Must be familiar with operational and facility engineering parameters for all common types of container handling equipment.
  • Must have a working knowledge of the design parameters for heavy wharves, dredged channels, heavy marine operating pavements, terminal operating buildings, and STS gantry cranes.
  • Must have a working knowledge of factors influencing marine terminal operating capacity and productivity and be able to model these factors against real-world data.
  • Must have a working knowledge of essential environmental permitting practices and procedures in the major port areas of the United States and be able to communicate the effects of those practices for operational and executive management.
  • Desirable to have experience with heavy duty and industrial construction.
  • Deep understanding of Excel, Word, PowerPoint and MS Project.
  • Proficient in CAD (AutoCAD, Civil3D and/or Trimble Sketchup) and understanding BIM.


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.

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

NJ Pay transparency:

If you require additional information about our comprehensive data privacy policy https://artifacts.portsamerica.com/pdf/Applicant%20Privacy%20Notice.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.
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