Here at AV Dawson our business is powered by our people and they are key to our success.
PORT MANAGER
Closing Date: 2026-02-06
Reference: PORTMGR2026
AV Dawson is a multimodal freight logistics and port operator based on the River Tees in Middlesbrough. The firm has an enviable reputation and over 85 years’ experience in the Port and Logistics sector. The AV Dawson group is made up of a number of subsidiary businesses including Port of Middlesbrough Limited, AV Dawson Transport Limited, AVD Industrial and Port Services Limited and ships agency Cockfield Knight.
The group employs approximately 200 people across the region and is committed to honouring the past, protecting what we have built and inspiring the next generation.
Location: Port of Middlesbrough
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Port Manager to lead the safe, efficient and compliant day‑to‑day operation of our port facility. This is a key leadership role with responsibility for operational performance, people management, customer delivery and continuous improvement across the port.
The Role
Reporting into senior management, the Port Manager will provide visible leadership across all port operations, ensuring high standards of safety, service and efficiency are consistently achieved.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage all daily port operations, including cargo handling, vessel operations and resource allocation.
* Maintain operational continuity while balancing safety, customer requirements and commercial objectives.
* Optimise utilisation of port assets, including plant, equipment, berths, storage areas and cranes.
* Ensure full compliance with health, safety, and environmental requirements, including risk assessments, permits, PPE and safe systems of work.
* Lead incident investigations, create reports and implement corrective/preventative actions.
* Deliver daily and weekly operational briefings and toolbox talks.
* Manage operational rosters, training, competence, and performance across the workforce.
* Line manages the Assistant Port Manager, supervisors and operational teams.
* Support operational discussions with customers, agents, hauliers and service partners to ensure service level expectations are met.
About You
* Proven experience in a port, terminal, or heavy industrial operational management role.
* Strong working knowledge of port operations, lifting operations and cargo handling.
* Demonstrable commitment to health, safety and compliance.
* Confident people manager with experience leading multi‑skilled operational teams.
* Strong organisational, planning and problem‑solving skills.
* Comfortable working in a hands‑on, operational environment.
* Able to communicate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
What We Offer
* A key leadership role within a critical operational environment.
* Competitive salary and benefits package.
* Opportunity to influence operational performance and continuous improvement.
* A stable, long‑term career within a specialist port operation.
Interested applicants should send a copy of their CV and a brief covering letter with salary expectations/current remuneration package to AV Dawson HR Department via: recruitment@av-dawson.com.
Application Form
* Name * (First Last)
* Email *
* Phone
* Job Reference *
* Covering Message (Please include current position, salary & benefits) *
* CV Upload (Word Docs and PDF only) – Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf. Max. file size: 512 MB.
* Consent * – I consent to being contacted by Port of Middlesbrough or AV Dawson.
THE PERFECT CAREER ROUTE – HIRING NOW AV Dawson, the Teesside business which owns and operates Port of Middlesbrough has an 80 year track record
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