Operations Manager – Ports
Job Description
Department Customer & Operations Support
Location: South East – Kent
Salary – Competitive, bonus and benefits
Purpose of the role
To lead the team to achieve the business performance objectives set by the Port Director / Deputy Port Director and Executive Team. Business Performance is measured by equal reference to:-
- Customer service
- Financial performance and
- Health and Safety performance.
Expectations
As part of the Senior Management Team the job holder is expected to lead the Vessel and Resource Planning teams and to manage the Operational Delivery Services team, through the demonstration of core values and leadership behaviors. The role is based in Sheerness though there may be a requirement to travel on an adhoc basis as directed.
Main Responsibilities
Customer service
- To build relationships with Vessel Agents, Owners and Customers and deliver consistent excellent customer service
- In agreement with the relevant Business Unit Manager put in place SLAs where appropriate and action plans to address areas where service is below expected standards
- Develop robust Vessel Planning, Resourcing (both labour & heavy plant) and Customer Service analysis including KPI reporting
Commercial
- To work closely with Business Unit Managers to deliver Revenue and EBITDA targets
- To ensure that the activities of the Business Units are consistent with the Ports commercial policy
- To ensure that controls are in place for the complete and accurate billing, collection of revenue and customs compliance
- To take ownership of the contractual and business relationship with shipping agents and suppliers such that commercial and operational matters are handled satisfactorily
- To attend the monthly Commercial Review Board and be fully prepared to discuss departmental performance
Financial
- To take ownership of the contractual and business relationship with suppliers within the sphere of responsibility (i.e. 3PL, Briggs etc) such that commercial and operational matters are handled satisfactorily
- To review the financial performance of contracts on a regular basis, but at least monthly, to identify variances against budgets or forecasts and implement management interventions and to ensure that revenue and costs are optimised
Health & Safety
- Monitor and control all legal and statutory operating requirements including the delivery of a safe and sustainable QSSHE working environment
- To follow the group’s Incident Reporting Protocol
- To be responsible for the safe working environment of employees
- To celebrate safe working behaviours and to correct unsafe behaviours
- To lead by example through carrying out behavioural safety tours (VFL)
- To ensure that all required and relevant training / skills are monitored and maintained to support all daily operational activities
Leadership
- To lead a team of direct and indirect reports and management of agency staff (and sub-contractors where appropriate) depending upon business demands
- To work with Group and Port cluster functional support areas (such as H&S, Sales, group Business Development, Finance, Engineering, HR, IT and other such departments) to deliver Business Performance objectives
- Carry out staff appraisals and disciplinary procedures in line with Group HR policy
- Ensure that other Group HR policies are complied with by employees in the BU
Key Stakeholders
Due to the nature of the role, the individual will be expected to develop strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders as outlined below
Example:
Internal
Executive Team – Support and work closely to deliver the wider business plan and transformational strategy. Working in conjunction with other divisions to align to Group wide business plans
Port Director and Deputy Port Directors – Working closely to support divisional objectives, to achieve overall business success and strategy implementation.
Sales Managers and Wider Commercial Team – Working collaboratively for divisional success in achieving strategic targets, EBITDA, and customer development.
Finance – Support in relation to any debt management, cash collection and utilise colleague knowledge to ensure projects are completed within budget
External
Contractors – Maintaining close working relationships with external contractors
Person Specification
Our approach to driving diversity, equity and inclusion across our organisation is based on respect, fairness and a commitment to tackle preconceptions and unconscious bias wherever we encounter them. We recognise that individuals have differing backgrounds, which is why we value experience gained in order to demonstrate a valuable contribution to the business.
For this role, we ideally seek:
- Able to demonstrate experience in a Port orientated business, specifically around Vessel Planning and Management
- Able to demonstrate a significant amount of experience in an operations Management role, specifically around the Leadership of middle management staff members
- Previous experience of delivering major change/project initiatives, improved financial performance and productivity into industrialised operations
- Able to present/communicate complex and analytical information to all levels of the business and facilitate a common understanding of the content at an individual level
- Proven experience in managing relationships and service level agreements with external partners
- 5 GCSE / 0 Levels (or equivalent) Grade C or above including Maths and English
- Full UK Driving Licence
- IOSH Managing safety / NEBOSH – General certificate
Additional Information
The role will require the individual to have a flexible approach to working hours.
Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK
