Container Yard Planner – Maritime Container Terminal

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Position Summary

The Container Yard Planner is responsible for planning, coordinating, and optimizing container yard operations within a maritime container terminal. The role focuses on ensuring the efficient positioning, storage, and movement of import and export containers to support vessel loading and discharge operations, truck movements, and rail transfers.

Working closely with vessel planners, terminal operations, yard supervisors, and equipment operators, the successful candidate will help maximize yard capacity, minimize unnecessary container rehandles, and maintain efficient cargo flow throughout the terminal.

Candidates must have direct experience working within a maritime container terminal and hands-on experience using Navis N4 and XPS. A strong understanding of vessel operations, container yard planning, and terminal operating systems is essential.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in container yard planning or terminal planning within a maritime container terminal.
• Hands-on experience with Navis N4 and XPS is essential.
• Direct experience working within a seaport container terminal handling vessel operations.
• Strong understanding of container yard layouts, stacking strategies, and container positioning.
• Knowledge of vessel discharge and loading operations, including the coordination of import and export containers.
• Understanding of container movements between the vessel, yard, gate, and rail operations.
• Ability to optimize yard space, minimize rehandles, and maintain efficient container flow.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and terminal operating systems.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to coordinate with multiple terminal departments.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, time-sensitive port environment.

Preferred

• Experience in a high-volume maritime container terminal.
• Familiarity with vessel schedules, berth planning, container cut-off times, and export load lists
• Experience coordinating with vessel planners, quay crane teams, yard equipment operators, gate operations, and rail departments.
• Knowledge of terminal productivity KPIs, yard utilization, and container dwell times.
• Familiarity with port safety, security, and operational procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain container yard plans to support vessel loading and discharge operations at the maritime terminal.
• Utilize Navis N4 and XPS to plan, monitor, and coordinate container positioning and movements throughout the terminal.
• Ensure import containers are efficiently positioned for discharge, storage, and subsequent truck or rail collection.
• Plan export container locations to support vessel loading sequences and ensure cargo is available when required.
• Coordinate container stacking arrangements based on vessel schedules, cargo type, destination, and operational priorities.
• Optimize yard capacity and space utilization while minimizing unnecessary container rehandles and equipment movements.
• Work closely with vessel planners to align yard arrangements with vessel stowage plans and loading requirements.
• Coordinate with quay crane teams, yard supervisors, and equipment operators to support efficient vessel turnaround times.
• Monitor yard congestion, capacity constraints, and container availability, implementing adjustments where necessary.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between system-recorded container locations and actual yard positions.
• Respond to changes in vessel schedules, cargo volumes, operational priorities, and equipment availability.
• Support efficient coordination between vessel, yard, gate, and rail operations.
• Maintain accurate container records and ensure planning information is updated within terminal operating systems.
• Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities to improve yard productivity and reduce delays.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Assist terminal management with yard performance reporting, capacity planning, and operational analysis.
• Identify improvements to yard planning procedures and terminal operating system utilization.
• Communicate potential bottlenecks, operational risks, and planning conflicts to relevant teams.
• Support compliance with terminal safety, security, and operational procedures.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by terminal management.

Safety Requirements

• Follow all port and terminal safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain awareness of vessel operations, moving equipment, container handling activities, and vehicle traffic.
• Report unsafe conditions, incidents, and operational hazards promptly.
• Comply with terminal security requirements and maintain the necessary port access credentials.

Supervision

Reports to the Terminal Planning Manager or Operations Manager. The role requires independent decision-making when adjusting yard plans, resolving container positioning issues, and responding to changing vessel and terminal requirements. Regular coordination with vessel planning and yard operations teams is essential.

Work Environment

• Based at a maritime container terminal in Philadelphia, PA.
• Primarily office-based planning with regular interaction with live terminal operations.
• Fast-paced, operationally demanding environment driven by vessel schedules and cargo handling requirements.
• Flexibility to work shifts, weekends, or extended hours as required by vessel calls and terminal activity.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Kieran Mead