Lean Leader, Operations Enabler

Job Description

APM Terminals

Purpose of the Role

The Lean Leader / Operations Enabler is responsible for enabling stable, predictable, and efficient operations across Vessel, Yard, Gate, and Rail by embedding Lean principles, Daily Management, and Lean Leader Standard Work at all operational levels.

This role builds Lean leadership capability within Operations—supervisors, dispatchers, planners, and job experts—so that flow, productivity, and safety are owned and sustained by the line organization.

Key Accountabilities

1. Operational Flow & Daily Management Enablement

• Stabilize Daily Management routines across OPS Tier 1–3 (SQDC, Tier meetings, escalation).

• Coach OPS leaders on Leader Standard Work and performance follow-up.

• Improve Lean efficiency across Vessel, Yard, Gate, and Rail operations.

• Reduce variability impacting CMPH, berth productivity, and TEU throughput.

2. Lean Leadership Capability Building

• Develop OPS supervisors, planners, and job experts in SQDC, Daily Management, Standard Work, and A3/PDCA.

• Coach leaders to own problems rather than escalate solutions.

• Reinforce consistency, accountability, and execution discipline across shifts.

3. Kaizen & Problem Solving Enablement

• Enable and support Operations-led Kaizens aligned with OPS DM & PD (LIPs and BTO) priorities.

• Ensure Kaizens are connected to SQDC gaps and flow improvement.

• Support impact validation (performance & financial) with Finance.

4. ABS & Lean Maturity Deployment (OPS)

• Support ABS maturity uplift within Operations (Daily Management, SW, problem solving).

• Reinforce Leader-Led GEMBA and escalation discipline.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with Commercial, Asset Maintenance, Planning, HSSE, HR, and Finance to ensure Lean improvements translate into operational execution.

Required Education, Experience & Competencies

Education/Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations, Logistics, Maintenance, or a related technical field preferred.
• Equivalent practical experience in operational or maintenance leadership may be considered.
• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in: Operations, logistics, terminals, manufacturing, industrial maintenance, or high-variability environments, in Asset Maintenance, Engineering, Reliability, or high-variability industrial environment
• Proven experience in: Enabling Daily Management systems, coaching frontline and middle management, working in 24/7 operational environments
• Experience enabling Daily Management and maintenance execution routines.
• Experience coaching frontline and middle management.
• Familiarity with ports, terminals, logistics, manufacturing, transportation, industrial maintenance, or similarly complex, asset-intensive environments strongly preferred.
• Exposure to unionized work environments is an advantage.
• Strong coaching and facilitation skills.
• Ability to influence without authority.
• Structured, data-driven problem-solving mindset.
• Comfortable operating at GEMBA.
• English language native or fluent

Preferred Qualifications:

• Continuous Improvement Certification; Lean Practitioner Advance and Project Management (PMP or equivalent) certifications a plus

Success Indicators (Annual)

• Stable OPS Tier routines.
• Reduced variability impacting CMPH / berth productivity.
• OPS leaders independently owning SQDC and problem solving.
• Kaizens with validated impact.
• ABS maturity uplift in Operations.

Work Environment & Schedule

• This is an on-site role based at APM Terminals Elizabeth.
• Work is primarily dayshift; however:
• Flexibility to support all shifts, including nights or weekends as needed, is expected.
• Regular presence at GEMBA (yard, equipment areas, workshops, control rooms) is required.

Dimensions:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk both short and long distances; use hands to handle or feel; speak to and hear others. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and work at a computer terminal. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

• Work is mostly performed outdoors. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may have to withstand exposure to outdoor/adverse working conditions. Required to drive within the terminal yard to work with labor, stand for long periods of time and be able to sit for long periods of time to patrol trucks. The employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; extreme cold. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; extreme heat and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is occasionally noisy. Employees must comply with all HSSE and PPE requirements at all times

Glossary of Acronyms

• Lean: Continuous Improvement operating system focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• SQDC: Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost.
• GEMBA: The place where value is created (operations / shop floor).
• PDCA: Plan–Do–Check–Act problem-solving cycle.
• Standard Work: The agreed best-known method to perform a task safely and consistently.
• Kaizen: Continuous, incremental improvement.
• MEX (AM role): Maintenance Excellence roadmap.
• CMPH / OEE (OPS role): Productivity and equipment performance indicators.

Notice to applicants applying to positions in the United States

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

APM Terminals is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities who are applying for positions in the U.S. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you are interested in applying for employment with APM Terminals in the U.S. and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply for a position, or if you need a reasonable accommodation to perform a job, please contact the applicable Human Resources Department by emailing reasonableaccommodations@maersk.com. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis pursuant to an interactive dialogue between the applicant and the Company.

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Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing accommodationrequests@maersk.com.