The posting
Job Purpose/Summary:
Reporting to the President, the Vice President, Terminal Operations provides executive oversight and strategic leadership for Young Brothers' statewide terminal and freight operations. The position is responsible for advancing operational excellence through leadership of labor relations strategy, terminal operations modernization, regulatory affairs, stakeholder engagement, safety culture, operational governance, and alignment of terminal operations with the Company's strategic objectives.
The Vice President serves as the executive sponsor for terminal operations, labor relations, and operational technology initiatives, partnering closely with the Manager, Freight Operations and Regional Operations leadership to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient cargo movement throughout the statewide network.
The position provides strategic direction regarding collective bargaining matters, workforce planning, operational policies, technology investments, regulatory compliance, and customer service initiatives while fostering productive relationships with labor unions, government agencies, customers, and community stakeholders. The Vice President also supports the evaluation, prioritization, and implementation of operational systems, process improvements, and modernization initiatives designed to enhance service delivery, operational efficiency, and long-term organizational effectiveness.
Essential Functions:
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
- Serve as a member of the executive leadership team and participate in the development and execution of corporate strategy.
- Provide executive oversight and strategic guidance for statewide terminal and freight operations.
- Align terminal operations initiatives with corporate goals, financial objectives, customer expectations, and safety priorities.
- Promote and reinforce Company Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Safety Vision.
- Represent the Company with industry organizations, government agencies, customers, labor organizations, and community stakeholders.
- Participate in strategic planning, budget development, and organizational initiatives impacting terminal operations.
TERMINAL OPERATIONS GOVERNANCE
- Provide executive oversight of statewide terminal and freight operations.
- Monitor operational performance, service levels, safety metrics, and customer satisfaction indicators.
- Partner with operational leadership to identify opportunities for operational improvements and efficiency enhancements.
- Support the development and implementation of operational strategies, policies, procedures, and performance measures.
- Ensure alignment between operational initiatives and corporate strategic objectives.
- Sponsor operational excellence initiatives and continuous improvement efforts throughout the organization.
LABOR RELATIONS
- Serve as executive sponsor for labor relations matters involving terminal operations.
- Lead or actively participate in collective bargaining negotiations.
- Foster productive relationships with union leadership and bargaining unit employees.
- Provide strategic guidance regarding the interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements.
- Partner with Human Resources and operational leadership to support workforce planning and labor strategy initiatives.
- Participate in grievance resolution and labor-management initiatives as appropriate.
- Safety and Regulatory Compliance
- Promote a culture of safety and regulatory compliance throughout terminal operations.
- Support compliance with OSHA, DOT Harbors, PUC, environmental, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
- Sponsor and support Company safety programs, strategic initiatives, and compliance efforts.
- Monitor significant operational incidents and support corrective action planning.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
- Provide executive oversight of operating budgets supporting statewide terminal and freight operations.
- Ensure operational priorities, resource allocation, and investment decisions align with Company strategic objectives and financial goals.
- Review operational and financial performance metrics to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, cost optimization, and service enhancements.
- Support the development, evaluation, and prioritization of capital investments related to terminal operations, operational technology, automation, facilities, equipment, and modernization initiatives.
- Partner with Finance, Asset Management, Information Technology, and operational leadership to develop business cases and investment recommendations that improve operational effectiveness and long-term organizational performance.
- Monitor the effectiveness and return on investment of operational initiatives and modernization programs.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
- Provide executive sponsorship and strategic direction for terminal operating systems, cargo management systems, logistics platforms, operational reporting tools, and other technologies supporting terminal operations.
- Partner with Information Technology, Finance, and operational leadership to identify, evaluate, prioritize, and implement technology solutions that improve safety, efficiency, customer service, and operational performance.
- Lead business requirements development and operational decision-making related to terminal systems modernization initiatives.
- Participate in the selection, implementation, enhancement, and governance of operational technology platforms supporting statewide terminal and freight operations.
- Support capital planning and investment decisions related to terminal operations technology, automation, and process improvement initiatives.
- Champion adoption, change management, and continuous improvement efforts related to operational technology and digital transformation.
LEADERSHIP & TALENT DEVELOPMENT
- Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to direct reports.
- Promote employee engagement, leadership development, succession planning, and workforce retention.
- Communicate organizational priorities, initiatives, and expectations effectively throughout the organization.
- Foster collaboration between terminal operations, marine operations, finance, human resources, and other business functions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Thorough understanding of terminal operations, freight handling, cargo movement, customer service, and maritime transportation.
- Strong labor relations and collective bargaining experience.
- Demonstrated executive leadership and strategic planning capabilities.
- Strong business acumen, organizational leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements affecting terminal operations.
- Ability to build relationships with labor organizations, government agencies, customers, and employees.
- Excellent verbal, written, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal communication skills.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Transportation, Maritime Studies, Supply Chain Management, or related field preferred.
- Minimum ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in transportation, logistics, terminal operations, maritime operations, labor relations, or related industries. With at least three to five years of experience at the Director level.
- Significant experience leading large operational workforces and labor relations initiatives.
- Demonstrated experience participating in collective bargaining negotiations and workforce strategy.
- Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Working Conditions: Work is mostly performed in a normal office environment. May be required to work more than a normal workweek, including weekends. Travel may also be required. Regular and predictable attendance is a requirement. Requires close interaction with supervised staff. Workday of many meetings, interruptions, and coaching/counseling employees.
Physical/Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands or fingers; handle or feel; talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The workday usually has a high number of interruptions and priority changes necessitating the need to remain flexible and focused in order to accomplish tasks. May be required to work more than a normal workweek, including weekends. Travel may also be required.
Position Content: This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, working conditions associated with the positions. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, these requirements may change over time. Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties, as necessary.
