Senior Operations Planner at Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT)

Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT) operates as the container terminal at Lekki Deep Sea Port, which is Nigeria's first true deep-sea port and one of the most advanced maritime gateways in West Africa. Strategically positioned within the Lagos Free Zone in Ibeju-Lekki, LFT is dedicated to connecting global trade to Nigeria in a sustainable manner, utilising robust automation, digitisation, and innovation from the moment vessels board to the delivery of cargo while adhering to international safety standards.

The terminal takes advantage of deep water, with a draft of up to 16.5 m, and modern ship-to-shore capabilities, enabling it to accommodate large vessels and handle significant cargo volumes. This is part of a port complex designed to scale for millions of TEUs annually. The depth and infrastructure of the terminal contribute to reducing logistics costs and alleviating congestion along the Lagos corridor, establishing LFT as a key driver of regional trade growth. As Nigeria’s latest maritime gateway, LFT provides world-class port operations, integrating cutting-edge equipment, data-driven processes, and a culture of innovation to ensure faster, safer, and more reliable cargo flows for both shippers and shipping lines.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Operations Planner

Location: Ibeju Lekki, Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Operations
Reporting to: Assistant Planning Manager
Indirect Reporting to: Operations Planning Manager

Job Purpose

• The Senior Operations Analyst provides high‑level analytical, planning, and system‑driven support across vessel, yard, rail, and gate operations within the container terminal.
• The role transforms operational data into actionable insights, drives digitalization initiatives, optimizes terminal performance, and ensures seamless integration between operational processes and Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) such as NAVIS N4 and XPS, vehicle booking, translating humans behaviours in action Planning and understanding of AL tools.
• The position is central to improving efficiency, productivity, turnaround time, and data integrity across the terminal.

Key Responsibilities
Operational Performance Analytics:

• Analyses vessel performance metrics including berth productivity, crane intensity, crane moves per hour, and vessel turnaround time.
• Evaluate yard KPIs such as yard density, dwell time, RTG productivity, and yard strategy effectiveness.
• Monitor gate and landside KPIs including truck turnaround time, gate throughput, and appointment system performance.
• Assess equipment utilization and productivity (RTGs, RMGs, reach stackers, terminal tractors, empty handlers).
• Identify operational bottlenecks using data-driven root cause analysis and propose improvement strategies.

Systems Support:

• Provide expert-level support for NAVIS N4, XPS, gate VBS and related operational systems.
• Conduct system testing, validation, and configuration updates to support operational changes.
• Monitor system performance, troubleshoot operational system issues, and coordinate with IT/TOS teams for resolution.
• Support automation and digital workflows within N4 (vessel planning, yard planning, rail planning, gate operations).
• Ensure accurate data capture, EDI integrity, and alignment between operational processes and system logic.

Reporting & Business Intelligence:

• Develop and automate daily, weekly, and monthly operational performance dashboards using Power BI, Excel (advanced), and macros.
• Translate complex datasets into intuitive visualizations and operational insights for management decision-making.
• Maintain a centralized repository of operational metrics and documentation.
• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and integrity of all operational data.

Operational Planning & Continuous Improvement:

• Support vessel and yard planning teams with predictive analytics and scenario modelling.
• Conduct capacity analysis for berth, yard, equipment, and gate operations.
• Lead initiatives to reduce vessel and truck turnaround time
• Drive digitalization projects including automation of manual processes, KPI visualization, and workflow optimization.
• Support internal audits, compliance reviews, and operational performance assessments.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accuracy, timeliness, and automation level of operational reports.
• Improvement in vessel turnaround time and berth productivity.
• Reduction in truck turnaround time and gate congestion.
• Increased equipment utilization and productivity.
• Data integrity and compliance with operational standards.
• Successful implementation of digitalization and system enhancement initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Engineering, Maritime Studies, Economics, Logistics, Computer Science, or related field.

Experience & Knowledge;

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in port, terminal, or logistics operations.
• Hands-on experience with NAVIS N4, XPS, or similar Terminal Operating Systems is a strong advantage.
• Proven experience in data analytics, operational planning, and performance optimization..

Skills & Competencies:
Technical Skills:

• Advanced Excel (macros, VBA, pivot tables, automation).
• Strong proficiency in Power BI, SQL, and other BI tools.
• Deep understanding of TOS workflows (vessel planning, yard planning, gate operations).
• Ability to translate operational data into actionable insights.
• Strong IT application knowledge and ability to support system-driven improvements.

Operational & Analytical Skills:

• Strong quantitative and analytical capability.
• Understanding of port and maritime KPIs, berth planning, yard strategy, and equipment deployment.
• Ability to interpret operational data and recommend process improvements.
• High attention to detail and strong problem-solving ability.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Planning — Ability to strategize for short- and long-term operational needs.
• Adaptability — Flexibility in responding to operational changes and challenges.
• Assertiveness — Confidence in presenting data-driven recommendations.
• Decisiveness — Ability to evaluate information and make informed decisions.
• Quality-focused — Commitment to accuracy, data integrity, and operational excellence.
• Communication — Strong verbal and presentation skills.
• Team-focused — Ability to collaborate effectively with operations, IT, and planning teams.
• Customer-focused — Ability to support internal and external stakeholders with reliable data and insights.

Application Closing Date
29th March, 2026.