About the role
APM Terminals
At APM Terminals, a global leader in port and terminal operations, we enable global trade and drive sustainable growth. What drives us forward is a mindset of always improving — observing how work happens, identifying what creates value, and removing what gets in the way. We constantly look for smarter, simpler, and safer ways of operating. If you thrive in environments where people value learning and are committed to continuously improve daily operations, join us and be a part of our journey.
Reefer Manager
What We Can Offer
At APM Terminals, we foster a dynamic learning and training culture that empowers our employees to excel. Our commitment to improvement means every team member has the opportunity to develop their skills and advance their careers by continuously refining how we work. Experience a diverse, multinational workplace where your operational insights directly influence how we work.
Lead critical refrigerated cargo operations that directly impact customer satisfaction, cargo integrity, regulatory compliance, and terminal performance.
Work across operational, maintenance, engineering, planning, and customer-facing teams to drive reliability and continuous improvement.
Utilize advanced operational systems, reefer monitoring platforms, and Power BI reporting to support data-driven decision making.
Contribute to terminal transformation and operational excellence initiatives.
APM Terminals Elizabeth operates the Port of New York and New Jersey's largest refrigerated container capacity. As Reefer Manager, you will be responsible for the overall management of reefer operations, maintenance activities, and refrigerated container infrastructure across the terminal. You will lead safe, reliable, and efficient temperature-controlled cargo handling while ensuring compliance with customer requirements, regulatory standards, and operational expectations.
Key Responsibilities: Manage
all
reefer
operations
and
maintenance
activities
across
the
terminal,
ensuring
the
safe,
reliable,
and
efficient
handling
of
temperature-controlled
cargo. Ensure
continuous
availability
and
reliability
of
reefer
power
infrastructure,
monitoring
systems,
racks,
outlets,
and
related
assets
while
coordinating
reefer
capacity
and
operational
readiness. Oversee
pre-trip
inspections
(PTI),
reefer
monitoring,
temperature
control,
fault
diagnostics,
repairs,
alarm
response
activities,
and
emergency
interventions
to
protect
cargo
integrity. Coordinate
closely
with
Operations,
Planning,
Vessel
- Operations,
- Yard,
- Rail,
- and
Customer
Service
- teams
- to
- ensure
- uninterrupted
- reefer
- services
- and
- compliance
- with
- customer
- and
- shipping
- line
requirements.
Develop and execute preventive, predictive, and corrective
maintenance
programs;
monitor
equipment
performance,
conduct
root
cause
analysis,
and
implement
reliability
improvement
initiatives. Ensure
compliance
with
USDA,
CBP,
FDA,
customer
requirements,
cold-treatment
protocols,
electrical
safety
regulations,
environmental
standards,
ISO
- requirements,
- and
- terminal
- operating
- procedures. Promote
- a
- strong
- safety
- culture
- through
- safety
- observations,
- toolbox
- talks,
- audits,
- risk
- assessments,
- incident
- investigations,
- and
- corrective
- and
- preventive
- actions. Manage
- reefer
- operational
- and
- maintenance
- budgets,
- develop
CAPEX
and
OPEX
- forecasts,
- support
- procurement
- activities,
- and
- oversee
- contractor,
- vendor,
- and
- service
- agreement
- performance. Lead,
- coach,
- and
- develop
- reefer
- technicians,
- foremen,
- supervisors,
- and
- support
- staff
- while
- fostering
- accountability,
- engagement,
- workforce
- development,
- and
- continuous
- improvement. Drive
- Lean,
- 5S,
- operational
- excellence,
- digitalization,
- and
- terminal
- transformation
- initiatives
- while
- developing
- and
- tracking
KPIs
- to
- improve
- service
- levels,
- asset
- reliability,
- safety
- performance,
- and
- operational
- efficiency.
What We Are Looking For: Continuous improvement mindset: we are looking for someone who brings a thoughtful improvement mindset—curious about how work gets done and motivated to make meaningful, sustainable improvements over time.
Leadership expectation: We are looking for people who consistently put customers first, lead by example with respect for people, deliver results with integrity, and drive continuous improvement by solving problems at the root, developing people, and raising standards every day.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Refrigeration Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field; relevant refrigeration or technical certifications are preferred.
5-10 years of experience in reefer operations, refrigerated container handling, terminal operations, industrial maintenance, or asset management, with at least 3 years of leadership experience.
Strong knowledge of refrigerated container systems, cold chain management, electrical infrastructure, reliability engineering, root cause analysis, and maintenance best practices.
Familiarity with reefer monitoring technologies, Navis N4/XPS, regulatory requirements, unionized labor environments, and contractor management is highly valued.
Demonstrated ability to manage safety performance, operational priorities, budgets, stakeholder relationships, and decision-making in a fast-paced operational environment.
TWIC Card eligibility and the ability to obtain required port access credentials.
Salary: $110K - $120K
Location:
Elizabeth, NJ (5 days in office)
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.
#LI-NM2
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
.