Port Manatee to hire more than 100 critical supply chain employee as business grows

PALMETTO, Fla. - Port Manatee and its tenants are looking for new employees to fill critical supply chain jobs.

"Port Manatee continued to work 24/7 and never missed a beat," said Charles D.Tillotson the port's chief commercial officer.

Last year, as Port Manatee and its companies worked through the pandemic, business grew with a 50% increase in the container industry

"Port Manatee, along with other U.S. ports, feed the U.S. supply chain everything from grocery stores to construction companies to manufacturing companies," said Tillotson.

Companies that run out of Port Manatee are now looking to hire to continue bringing in fresh fruit, construction supplies, gas and other goods.

"It is critical that as we continue to experience growth meaning more hours working at the port, more vessel calls, that we continue to build our workforce to support that growth," explained Tillotson.

More than 100 positions are open from office staff to welders, crane operators, truck drivers and more.

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"These are critical jobs for the supply chain here in South West Florida," stated Tillotson.

Some companies are willing to train and help future employees move up the career chain.

"We have a full-motion platform the seats moving, we have the real joysticks," said Gary James with CM Labs.

CM labs allows job candidates to get hands-on experience and train with a simulator that prepares them before they get hands-on with port equipment.

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"This allows 20-30-40 hours of practice or skills training before we actually take that student or operator to a crane test or exam or licensing event," said James.

Unlike backed-up California ports, Port Manatee is moving efficiently. It is ready for any shipment and looking for new staff.

"This has to be a continual pipeline because the growth is real," said Tillotson.

LINK: For more information on jobs visit https://www.portmanatee.com/.

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