Director of Operations

Hanseatic Global Terminals (HGT) is a fully owned subsidiary of Hapag-Lloyd. Operating from Rotterdam, HGT manages a portfolio of stakes in 23 terminals and complementary logistics services across 13 countries across 5 continents: Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa - with plans to expand its stakes to over ~30 terminals by 2030.

Spanning key regions, its portfolio comprises port terminals and related logistics services operated by Hanseatic Global Terminals Latin America in Latin America and Florida (USA), and, in the booming Indian market, it is present through the container terminals, depots and rail business of J M Baxi, India’s largest integrated terminal and logistics provider. Additionally, HGT’s presence in strategic European hubs, such as Germany, France and the Mediterranean, enhances its global network and allows it to offer seamless, efficient logistics and supply chain solutions to customers worldwide.

At HGT, we are a highly motivated team of experienced international professionals who believe that growth in any partnership comes from trust and dedication. Our commitment to provide highly efficient terminal operations that are safe, sustainable, and reliable is rooted in a simple yet powerful vision: “offering exceptional service quality at all times.”

The position 

The Director of Operations is responsible for leading, standardizing and optimizing terminal operations across our global portfolio of container terminals, focusing on people, processes, systems and technology.

The role ensures that operational quality and efficiency are achieved consistently, aligned with the company’s strategic goals. This considers further development and integration of performance metrics, establishing quality requirements, identification of positive and negative outliers/trends, implementing needed improvements as well as sharing best practices.

This role reports to the Senior Director of Operations & Projects and maintains close cooperation with other HGT corporate COO functions as well as regional operations functions. 

Key Responsibilities 

 Operational Leadership:

• Lead, coordinate, and oversee day-to-day operations across our portfolio of container terminals, in close tandem with regional functions.
• Support the development, drive the implementation and govern global operational strategies and frameworks to optimize efficiency, productivity and throughput while optimizing cost.
• Ensure terminals meet or exceed defined operational KPI’s and targets, corresponding with strategic goals (supporting growth, safety & quality, profitability and sustainability).
• Support shaping the global excellence center, targeting retainment and sharing of knowledge and people across the portfolio of terminals.

People and Performance Management:

• Support the development of high-performance, cross-functional operational teams across regions.
• Establish clear performance metrics and reporting protocols for operational management teams and regional operations leads.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, address operational challenges, drive efficiency improvement, develop and govern action plans.
• Coordinate with finance functions the impact of operational efficiencies on cost and revenue.
• Drive the embedment of operational practices and learnings across terminals through training, standardization and shared knowledge platforms.
• Oversee quality control processes to ensure consistent service delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Promote a strong safety culture across all terminals; support environmental sustainability initiatives.

Strategic Development:

• Collaborate with senior management to shape mid- and long-term operational strategy and investment planning.
• Support the business development function in due diligences and (pre-)feasibility assessments related to terminal acquisitions, brown- and greenfield projects (design, operational/capacity modelling, capex/opex assessments, sensitivities etc.).
• Provide input to ideations sessions by terminals, capital investment planning, annual and quarterly operations budgets exercises and cost-benefit analyses new initiatives.
• Identify and assess relevancy of industry trends (including opportunities for digitalization, automation and technological innovation in terminal operations) that could enhance performance.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Ensure transparent communication and reporting between global headquarters, regional organizations and terminals.
• Support continuous alignment, integration and structuring of initiatives coming from the HGT’s corporate asset management, operational excellence, strategy implementation and HSSE functions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with shipping lines, JV partners, global logistics providers, suppliers, consultants, and labour relation associations.

Job requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies, Port Management, Logistics, Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in port or terminal operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing multiple terminals or regions.
• Proven track record in driving operational excellence and implementing best-in-class practices in a global maritime organization.
• Strong knowledge of container terminal operations, equipment and technologies (TOS, automation features, data analytics).
• Having worked in both operations and project settings is considered an upside.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Willingness to travel globally.

Core Competencies:

• Operational and financial acumen.
• Leadership and team development.
• Innovation, problem solving and change management.
• Strategic and analytical thinking.
• Customer focus and stakeholder influence.
• Strong communication and cross-cultural collaboration.

What we offer 

•  Competitive salary and benefits package;
• Opportunity to shape the global footprint of a fast-growing terminal operator;
• High-impact leadership role in a dynamic, global, and collaborative organization.