Senior Operations Manager
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
Gulftainer is seeking a Senior Operations Manager for Khor Fakkan Terminal in Sharjah, UAE. This hands-on leadership role focuses on improving terminal productivity, operational discipline, and workforce capability while driving transformation initiatives like gate automation and TOS deployment.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Drive quay, yard, and gate productivity improvements through daily operational control and performance management
- Monitor KPIs, identify bottlenecks, and optimize resource deployment
- Support gate automation initiatives and weighbridge implementation
- Oversee vessel operations planning and execution
- Develop yard strategies and optimize equipment allocation
- Support implementation of Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) and provide operational input for system design, testing, and change management
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and training initiatives; implement SOPs and best practices
- Develop and strengthen operational capability across container, Ro Ro, general cargo, and bulk cargo operations
- Promote safe working practices and drive incident prevention and operational risk management
Requirements
- 10–15+ years of experience in port and terminal operations
- Minimum 5 years in a management or senior supervisory role
- Strong background in container terminal operations
- Experience managing performance improvement, operational turnaround, and productivity enhancement initiatives
- Proven ability to standardize processes and establish operational discipline
- Experience working with international terminal operators or large scale terminal environments
- Strong English communication and reporting skills
Full Job Posting
About the Role
- Gulftainer is seeking an experienced and results driven Senior Operations Manager to support a critical phase of operational ramp up and performance improvement.
- This is a hands on leadership role focused on strengthening terminal operating fundamentals while driving key transformation initiatives across container and multi purpose cargo operations.
- The successful candidate will play a central role in improving productivity, operational discipline, workforce capability, and process standardization, while supporting strategic projects including gate automation, weighbridge implementation, marshalling yard optimization, TOS deployment, equipment
- As KCT continues to expand beyond container operations, experience with Ro Ro, General Cargo, and Bulk Cargo operations will be highly advantageous.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Performance & Productivity: Drive quay, yard, and gate productivity improvements through daily operational control and performance management. Monitor KPIs, identify bottlenecks, and optimize resource deployment. Improve shift execution, operational discipline, and workforce productivity
- Gate & Landside Operations: Support gate automation initiatives and weighbridge implementation. Improve truck flow management, traffic control, and marshalling yard operations. Enhance landside efficiency and turnaround times.
- Planning & Execution: Oversee vessel operations planning and execution. Develop yard strategies and optimize equipment allocation. Ensure effective shift handovers and exception management processes.
- Terminal Transformation Projects: Support implementation of Terminal Operating Systems (TOS). Provide operational input for system design, testing, user acceptance, and change management. Contribute to operational readiness for infrastructure and technology upgrades.
- Workforce Development: Support recruitment, onboarding, and training initiatives. Implement SOPs and operational best practices. Build supervisory capability and promote a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Multi Purpose Terminal Operations: Develop and strengthen operational capability across Container Operations, Ro Ro Operations, General Cargo Handling, and Bulk Cargo Operations.
- Safety & Compliance: Promote safe working practices across all operational areas. Drive incident prevention and operational risk management. Ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- 10–15+ years of experience in port and terminal operations.
- Minimum 5 years in a management or senior supervisory role.
- Strong background in container terminal operations.
- Experience managing performance improvement, operational turnaround, and productivity enhancement initiatives.
- Proven ability to standardize processes and establish operational discipline.
- Experience working with international terminal operators or large scale terminal environments.
Preferred Experience
- GCC / Middle East terminal operations experience.
- Exposure to brownfield transformation projects or rapid operational ramp up environments.
- Experience with Ro Ro, General Cargo, and Bulk Cargo operations.
- Knowledge of TOS implementation and operational change management.
Languages
- English & Arabic language skills are highly preferred.
- Strong English communication and reporting skills are essential.
Personal Attributes
- Hands on and visible operational leader.
- Practical and decisive with strong problem solving skills.
- Calm under pressure and able to manage competing priorities.
- Data driven with strong KPI management capability.
- Able to drive accountability and improvement while maintaining positive working relationships.
Why Join KCT?
- Opportunity to play a key role in a major terminal transformation and growth journey.
- Exposure to multi purpose cargo operations and strategic infrastructure projects.
- High impact leadership position with direct influence on terminal performance and operational excellence.
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