Senior Project Cargo Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Expected salary: $178,000 - $222,000 per year.

Metro Ports is an experienced terminal operator and stevedoring company with locations spanning across the country. For generations, we have consistently served the waterfront community through innovative solutions and processes. Our mission is to consistently deliver safe, efficient, innovative and environmentally responsible maritime operational solutions for our customers.

The Regional Director of Operations leads Metro Ports' Pacific Northwest operations across Washington and Oregon, including terminals in Vancouver, Portland, Grays Harbor, and Anacortes. This role owns regional terminal and stevedoring operations end to end — safety, execution, financial performance, and labor relations — while playing a direct, hands‑on role in business development. The Director partners with customers, port authorities, carriers, labor partners, and Metro's commercial team to grow opportunities across the Pacific Northwest gateway.

This role needs a self-managing generalist: someone who wants to put their own mark on a region. That means real range in leadership, in communication, in technical know-how. The same person presenting regional budget numbers to senior leadership needs to be just as comfortable walking a terminal, coaching an operations manager, or sitting across from our partners in the ILWU. It also means range in cargo and commercial skill: direct experience in strategic planning, business development, and real time running containers, bulk, breakbulk, project cargo. This person leads the customer relationship directly, not through someone else. Safety is the one thing that doesn't flex — this person is a self‑starter who sets the tone for the region. None of this works solo. A big part of the job is developing people: coaching site managers, growing talent, building a bench that outlasts any one person. They run it like it's their own and build it into something bigger than it is today.

• Provides strategic oversight and operational guidance for terminal, stevedoring, and cargo-handling activities across assigned Washington and Oregon facilities and customer locations.


• Supports the development and execution of short- and long-term operating plans, ensuring alignment with safety, service, and profitability objectives across the region.


• Oversees site performance through budget, KPI, productivity, and labor utilization reviews; partners with terminal leadership to drive operational and commercial results.


• Collaborates with Engineering and Asset Management teams to prioritize capital investments, support equipment reliability initiatives, and ensure asset strategies align with customer and market needs.


• Guides the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of operational SOPs, ensuring consistent adoption and documentation standards across all locations.

• Builds direct, trusted relationships with port operations leadership at each regional terminal.


• Stays closely attuned to each port's operational priorities and challenges, and brings forward ways Metro can add value beyond the terms of the existing agreement.


• Serves as Metro's primary point of contact on the operations side of the port relationship, distinct from the commercial relationship BD owns.

• Drives safety performance across the region, partnering with HS&E on procedures, training, environmental practices, and statutory compliance — this person sets the standard on the floor, not just in a policy binder.


• Monitors operational performance, regulatory reporting, and customer commitments across all assigned locations to ensure compliance and service quality.

• Leads regional business development: identifying new cargo opportunities, customer relationships, port partnerships, and adjacent service offerings across container, bulk, breakbulk, project cargo, and other segments.


• Builds and maintains a qualified regional sales pipeline with executive leadership, Business Development, and Finance, converting market intelligence into actionable growth plans.


• Develops pricing assumptions, operating models, capacity assessments, and business cases for new accounts, service packages, and capital investment opportunities.


• Owns the customer relationship — leads engagement with customers, beneficial cargo owners, ocean carriers, port authorities, economic development organizations, and industry associations to strengthen regional visibility and competitiveness.

• Leads labor relations across the region, including union engagement, negotiations, grievance resolution, workforce planning, and contract compliance.


• Engages and collaborates with the Pacific Maritime Association on coast‑wide labor matters, positions, and negotiations affecting the region.


• Coaches and develops site managers and regional staff, building a culture of accountability, commercial awareness, safety, and continuous improvement.


• Ensures customer satisfaction by improving service quality, resolving operational issues, and proactively communicating with key stakeholders.

• Travels throughout Washington, Oregon, and other domestic or international locations as needed to support company directives, customer development, and regional oversight.


• Maintains availability for weekends, holidays, and emergency response.


• Other duties as assigned by executive leadership.

• Delivers measurable improvement in regional operational efficiency.


• Advances new business opportunities that support profitable revenue expansion.


• Builds and leads customer relationships that grow the region's business.

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Maritime Studies, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent education and relevant professional experience may be substituted


• Experience:
  
  
  
  • 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in maritime, terminal, stevedoring, logistics, transportation, or related operations.
  
  
  • Supervisory experience in multi‑site or regional operations.
  
  
  • Demonstrated experience leading business development, customer relationships, pricing/business case development, or commercial growth initiatives.
  
  
  • Experience with union labor relations, negotiations, and organizational development.
  
  


• Licenses: Valid driver's license; valid TWIC card, or ability to obtain and maintain one.


• Knowledge:
  
  
  
  • Marine terminal operations, including containers, bulk, breakbulk, project cargo, ro‑ro, and heavy‑lift activities.
  
  
  • Pacific Northwest maritime markets, port operations, customer segments, and regional transportation networks.
  
  
  • Regulatory compliance, safety programs, environmental practices, and labor requirements.
  
  
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and business reporting tools.
  
  


• Skills:
  
  
  
  • Strong leadership and team development across multi‑site operations.
  
  
  • Commercially minded operator who can identify opportunities, build relationships, and translate customer needs into profitable operating solutions.
  
  
  • Strong problem‑solving, planning, process improvement, budgeting, and business case development.
  
  
  • Effective written and verbal communicator across all levels, internally and externally.
  
  
  • Detail‑oriented with a focus on operational quality, safety, compliance, and customer service.
  
  
  • Able to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and adapt to changing priorities.
  
  

• Education: Advanced degree (MBA or related field).


• Additional Experiences: Direct experience in FP&A collaboration, capital planning, strategic business case development, account planning, sales pipeline management, and contract negotiation.


• Knowledge:
  
  
  
  • Stevedoring training philosophies and Pacific Northwest cargo flows.
  
  
  • SOP development, operational documentation systems, port authority processes, and customer proposal development.
  
  


• Skills:
  
  
  
  • Advanced strategic planning, capital project oversight, and market development.
  
  
  • Strong coaching and mentoring capabilities.
  
  
  • Ability to build cross‑functional and external relationships, influence stakeholders, and lead through change.
  
  

• Physical Demands: The physical demands described here represent those that are typically required to perform the essential functions of this position. This role splits time between office and active terminal environments. Regular site visits require the ability to walk uneven and outdoor surfaces, climb stairs and vessel gangways, and work near operating cargo‑handling equipment. The role requires the ability to see, hear, speak, and communicate clearly, including in high‑noise operational settings, and to wear required PPE (hard hat, safety vest, steel‑toed boots) during terminal visits. Office work involves standard equipment and occasional lifting up to 10 pounds; terminal visits may require occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.


• Work Environment: Work is performed in both a standard office environment and at active marine terminals. Exposure to outdoor weather conditions, vessel and yard environments, and varying temperatures should be expected, along with noise, dust, and other occupational hazards. Safety protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE) are provided and required as appropriate.


• Paid vacation and holiday pay.


• Health, dental and vision (employee contribution required).


• 401(k) with company matching contribution.


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).


• Pet insurance (employee contribution required).

At Nautilus, our people are our most valuable asset. We foster a collaborative, inclusive environment where team members feel valued, supported and empowered to grow with us. Whether you are starting your career or looking for the next step, we are committed to investing in your development, offering clear pathways for advancement, ongoing training and leadership development.

With operating areas across CA, FL, IN, NC, NJ, SC, TX and WA, we continue to impact diverse communities and industries. Nautilus International Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

If you require reasonable accommodation to apply for a position or to perform the essential functions of a role, please contact HRDept@nautilusintl.com .

This job description is not intended to be an employment contract or guarantee of employment. Employment with Nautilus International Holding Corporation is at-will, meaning either the employee or the company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice. This job description may be modified at any time at the sole discretion of the company.

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TWIC

Drivers License

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.