Terminal Supervisor
Date: 8 Sept 2026
Location: Southampton, Southampton, GB
Company: ABP
We’re the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 21 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year.
It’s a story we’re proud of but it doesn’t end there. We’re transforming our business and embracing the future.
We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.
Why should you work for ABP?
- Have the chance to make a difference in a business critical to UK trade.
- Work within an exciting, innovative, growing business.
- You can thrive in an inclusive environment where every individual can be themselves and feel respected
- Receive a competitive salary and benefits package
- Get support for training, personal development, and further education
- Benefit from support and engagement through dedicated management and leadership
We're looking for a Compound Supervisor to lead our receiving operations across the Port of Southampton and ABP Solent Gateway. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll oversee the safe, efficient, and compliant movement of automotive and plant machinery imports and exports, while managing a team responsible for keeping cargo flowing through the port. Based on the requirements outlined in
You'll be responsible for coordinating daily operations, supporting and developing your team, working closely with customers, and ensuring customs and cargo processes meet both customer expectations and regulatory requirements.
Shift pattern: Monday - Friday covering an 8 hours day between 0600 - 1800
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading and developing a team of Cargo Receivers across multiple dock locations.
- Planning daily workloads and ensuring operational priorities are delivered safely and efficiently.
- Acting as a key point of contact for customers and operational stakeholders.
- Managing terminal space and compound capacity against forecast cargo volumes.
- Supporting vessel and compound operations through terminal operating systems.
- Monitoring customs compliance and resolving cargo system issues.
- Delivering team briefings, toolbox talks and operational updates.
- Participating in a rostered weekend duty system.
What We're Looking For
Essential
- Experience leading or supervising a team within an operational environment
- Full, clean driving licence
- Flexible approach to working hours and location
- Ability to work across both Southampton and ABP Solent Gateway sites
- Availability for ad-hoc weekend duties
- Space planning and capacity management experience
- Strong communication, customer service and leadership skills
Desirable
- Port or marine industry experience
- Knowledge of customs processes and CNS
- Experience using terminal operating systems such as Inform
The role comes with a competitive salary, a contributory pension from day one (Starting at 3% with a 2% company match up to 18%), private healthcare, access to our Employee Assistance Program, 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and increasing with service), a wide range of discounts/cash back with high street and online retailers. We offer an inclusive work environment with a very training strong academy that offers ongoing opportunities to develop your skills.
Want to see what it’s like to work for the UK’s largest port operator? Our virtual work experience programme gives you an inside look at trade, sustainability, safety, and careers in one of the UK’s most vital indutries- https://www.talentxp.co.uk/track/e2e029cd
Additional Information:
When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.
Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.
We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.
As part of our recruitment process, all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment screening to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Please note your consent will be required and further information on this check can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels