Overview
The Vice President of Operations is a senior executive responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership across the organization’s operations. This position oversees the development and execution of operational strategies that drive safety, service excellence, productivity, profitability, and sustainable growth.
The VP of Operations partners closely with executive leadership and operational management to ensure consistent execution across locations, optimize resources, strengthen leadership capabilities, and maintain compliance with company policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Logistics, Supply Chain, Maritime Transportation, Engineering, or a related field required.
- Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
Experience:
- Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive operations leadership experience, including significant senior leadership responsibility.
- Minimum of 5 years in a Director, Vice President, General Manager, or comparable senior operational leadership position preferred.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing multi-site or multi-terminal operations and leading large, diverse workforces.
- Experience within maritime, terminal operations, stevedoring, logistics, transportation, warehousing, industrial operations, or a related industry strongly preferred.
- Proven experience managing operational budgets, labor costs, capital expenditures, and P&L performance.
- Demonstrated success developing leaders and improving operational performance.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate should demonstrate strong executive leadership and decision-making ability, with the capacity to balance strategic planning with hands-on operational oversight. The position requires excellent financial and business acumen, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple locations and priorities simultaneously.
The VP of Operations must be an effective communicator who can build relationships at all organizational levels, from frontline employees to executive leadership and customers. Strong knowledge of safety, regulatory compliance, labor management, operational planning, and continuous improvement is essential.
Responsibilities
- Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for company-wide operational activities across multiple locations, terminals, or business units.
- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with the organization’s short- and long-term business objectives.
- Lead and mentor Regional Managers, General Managers, Terminal Managers, Operations Managers, Superintendents, and other operational leaders.
- Establish performance expectations and hold operational leadership accountable for safety, productivity, service, financial performance, and workforce management.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), operational metrics, budgets, labor utilization, equipment performance, and profitability.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, increase productivity, and enhance customer service.
- Partner with Finance to develop annual operating budgets, forecasts, capital expenditure plans, and cost-control strategies.
- Ensure operations are appropriately staffed and equipped to meet customer and business requirements.
- Partner with Human Resources and Talent Acquisition on workforce planning, succession planning, organizational development, and leadership recruitment.
- Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, maritime/port requirements, environmental regulations, and other applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
- Collaborate with HSE leadership to reduce workplace incidents and ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained.
- Evaluate operational processes and implement standardized procedures and best practices across locations.
- Oversee major operational projects, expansions, new customer implementations, and process-improvement initiatives.
- Build strong relationships with customers and participate in key customer meetings, contract discussions, and service-performance reviews as needed.
- Work closely with Commercial/Sales leadership to evaluate new business opportunities and ensure operational capabilities support growth objectives.
- Assess equipment, infrastructure, technology, and capital needs to support safe and efficient operations.
- Provide executive leadership during significant operational disruptions, emergencies, or business-continuity events.
- Ensure operational leaders maintain appropriate documentation, reporting, and regulatory compliance.
- Present operational performance, risks, opportunities, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and employee development.
- Perform other executive-level responsibilities as assigned.
