Vessel Supervisor

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Vessel Marine Terminal Stevedore Supervisor is responsible for the safe, efficient, and productive execution of vessel, terminal, and warehouse operations involving bulk, breakbulk, project, and various cargo. Reporting to the Vessel Operations Manager, this position plans and directs daily operations, coordinates labor and equipment resources, and oversees the handling, storage, loading, and discharge of cargo to ensure safety, cargo integrity, regulatory compliance, and on-time service. 

This is a hands-on leadership position requiring demonstrated experience within a marine terminal, stevedoring, vessel, or cargo-handling environment. The successful candidate must possess practical, hands-on experience performing and supervising cargo operations, with the ability to effectively lead crews by example, make sound operational decisions, and maintain a thorough understanding of terminal equipment, cargo-handling processes, rigging practices, and applicable safety and regulatory requirements. Must have experience operating heavy equipment and cargo-handling machinery.

The Vessel Marine Terminal Stevedore Supervisor serves as a key liaison between vessel representatives, customers, terminal personnel, and management, driving operational excellence while promoting a strong safety culture and achieving productivity, customer service, and business objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervise vessel loading, discharge, cargo handling, terminal, and warehouse operations involving bulk, breakbulk, project cargo, steel products, forest products, machinery, and general cargo.
• Provide guidance, direction, and oversight to assigned personnel to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Assist in planning daily work schedules and assigning labor and equipment resources to meet operational and customer requirements.
• Maintain effective communication between management, vessel personnel, customers, and support departments.
• Conduct pre-shift safety meetings and communicate operational objectives, safety expectations, and productivity goals.
• Coordinate vessel loading and discharge operations with the Port Captain, Cargo Officer, vessel representatives, and terminal management.
• Monitor vessel and terminal productivity and make staffing and operational adjustments as needed to maximize efficiency.
• Schedule and reassign personnel as necessary to ensure efficient work teams and operational continuity.
• Identify training needs and ensure personnel possess the technical proficiency, operational knowledge, and understanding of their responsibilities necessary to perform their duties safely and effectively.
• Support employee development through training, coaching, mentoring, and cross-training initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, OSHA regulations, U.S. Coast Guard requirements, facility security procedures, and applicable maritime regulations.
• Continuously inspect loading, unloading, rigging, lifting, and cargo-handling equipment to ensure safe operating conditions and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor cargo operations to ensure proper handling, stowage, storage, cargo integrity, and damage prevention.
• Ensure accurate completion of operational reports, cargo documentation, safety records, and productivity reports.
• Monitor labor utilization, equipment deployment, and operational cost to maximize productivity while controlling cost. 
• Initiate maintenance work orders and report equipment or facility deficiencies requiring repair or corrective action. Investigate operational incidents, cargo claims, safety concerns, and near misses and assist with implementing corrective actions.
• Verify compliance with TWIC requirements, terminal security procedures, and facility access controls.
• Respond promptly and effectively to customer requests and operational challenges.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with vessel agents, customers, trucking companies, and regulatory agencies to ensure efficient cargo movement. 
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives designed to enhance safety, service, efficiency, and productivity.
• As a member of the management team, assume additional projects and responsibilities as assigned.
• Perform other duties as required.

Leadership & Workforce Management

• Supervise Stevedore gangs, warehouse labor, and equipment operators. 
• Train crews on proper handling techniques, sling and lift safety, and cargo securing standards. 
• Manage labor scheduling and timekeeping, and performance accountability. 
• Foster teamwork, productivity, respect for one another, and a safety culture among all shifts. 

• Collaborate with the Vessel Operation Manager and Terminal Manager to align strategic vision for vessel/warehouse operations with overall strategy for maximizing productivity and safety.
• Identify training requirements and ensure that all personnel possess: technical job proficiency and an understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and performance goals.
• Oversee team structuring and schedules and shift personnel to ensure efficient working teams. Initiates cross-training to ensure achievement of productivity goals. 
• Lead, supervise, train, motivate, and hold associates accountable for performance, conduct, safety, and overall adherence to company policies and procedures. Initiates performance evaluations, recommend pay changes, and initiates progressive disciplinary processes.
• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, accountability, and respect to team members on all levels while fostering an inclusive, safety-focused workplace. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience handling and supervising associates on multiple types of cargo, especially bulk and breakbulk.
• Understands specialized rigging and cargo handling gear.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent safety record.
• Able to train new employees.
• Able to motivate and build morale within the group
• Ability to supervise, train, and hold associates accountable for performance and results.
• Stevedoring and warehouse experience.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a 3-year driving history that is acceptable to our auto insurance carrier.

Education & Experience Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent: bachelor’s degree in logistics, maritime, or related field preferred. 
• 3+ years of lead or supervisory experience in warehouse, stevedoring, terminal, and vessel operations.
• Excellent critical thinking and analytical skills, along with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and operational technology platforms, including AS400, JADE, Terminal Operating Systems (TOS), warehouse management systems (WMS), inventory and cargo management systems, electronic documentation systems, and other software supporting marine terminal, vessel, and logistics operations. 
• Able to operate and use modern office equipment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to lead, supervise, train, motivate, and hold associates accountable for performance, safety, and results.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with associates and customers.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license throughout employment.
• Ability to work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, 6 & 7 days consecutively, based on vessel schedules. 

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Ability to regularly stand, walk long distances, and talk and hear. 
• Ability to frequently use hands and arms to grab, handle, or feel, and reach.
• Ability to occasionally sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, or crawl.
• Ability to occasionally climb ladders or stairs. 
• Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 150 pounds, with assistance or lifting machinery as necessary. 
• Must wear required safety PPE, Safety vest, hard hat, gloves, etc. 
• Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 
• Working indoors and outdoors. 
• Excessive heat or cold, extreme weather conditions, excessive humidity or dampness, or chilling. 
• Slippery and uneven walking surfaces. 
• Work around moving objects, vehicles, and moving machinery/heavy equipment.