Job Role Summary

Based in the South of the UK

The Operational and Technical Manager UKI - Role in Swissport UK&I based within the South region  is a critical senior leadership position. The role is a key role to support the UKI cargo business in delivering operational excellence.

Supporting the Regional Ops Directors and Station Managers in delivering operational performance in accordance with the corporate objectives, strategy, development and deployment of Swissport Cargo operational initiatives. Assisting with operation and commercial targets and projects whilst reporting to the Director of Cargo.    

The Ops & Tech Manager must possess strong senior operational skills and commercial acumen to ensure consistent delivery and will be benchmarked against the Swissport Senior Leadership Competencies of Driving Transformation, Applying Commercial Acumen, Owning Business Opportunities, Coaching and Developing Others, Establishing Direction and Executing and getting Sustainable Results. 

The role will have accountability for implementation, mentoring and mentoring the Stations Manager team to delivery against a range of relevant operational KPI’s, evaluate operational performance to ensure increased profitability, productivity, market share and successful performance against health and safety targets.

The role operates in a fast-paced, progressive business and the role holder must have a strong track record of success in the B2B services arena and combine exceptional business focus with a track record of growing top-line whilst delivering profitability within a multi-site business. Gravitas and listening skills are key requirements, with a focus on operational delivery and continuous improvement. Innovation and the delivery of winning solutions to customers, plus the ability to be performance and customer focused is key, as is being able to challenge and drive real change across the organisation.

Job Responsibilities 

Safety Leader

Lead, drive and continuously improve health & safety measures and KPIs related to people, equipment, facilities and aircraft involved in the operation to ensure best in class QHSE targets are achieved within the Region.

Internal controls and QA auditing, ensuring compliance in accordance with QHSE Ops manuals Security and Standard SOPs.

Ensure alignment with Swissport’s global health & safety values and strategies.

Ensure the Region operates with “just culture” as part of its core values.

Focus on continuous improvement and sharing of best practice in the areas of health & safety and on time performance.

P&L Management

A working understanding against P&L targets to offer support to the Station Managers to allow the station to deliver financial EBIT targets as assigned.

Continuously analyze financial and operational performance and forecast data to identify trends and to determine progress toward targets.  Proactively identify and capture improvement potential where possible.

Assisting in the preparation of operating budgets and proposals for capital expenditure and investments in infrastructure, technology, equipment, systems, or other assets and resources

Quality Focus, Service Delivery and Operational Efficiency

Assisting and mentoring those accountable for the delivery of operational performance and quality of service and achievement of KPI’s as set monthly and/or annually and adjusted when appropriate.

Proactively manage quality improvement measures where necessary and align closely with airline customers and ensure innovation and continuous improvement is embedded in all operational processes within the Region.

Monitor and track quality standards of the operation and ensure continuous improvements in workflows and services to maintain competitiveness and to improve cost base.

Deliver a culture of efficiency and maximum productivity in the operations through the appropriate SGM teams.

The role will be key in the deployment and implementation of all new Standard Swissport tool kit deployments. Working with the stations and building a deployment plan, assisting in the overseeing of the deployment and embedding the development into the operation to the operation.

Leadership

Develop and coach cargo Station Manager team within the business to deliver the strategic goals and targets.

Enhance the performance and well-being of colleagues in the business unit through communication, leadership and team building, performance management, training and development, recruitment and resources planning, whilst also effectively managing the talent pipeline and succession planning.

Recognise reward and celebrate success of team members.

Business growth

Supporting to develop and enhance the customer relationship at a strategic operational level as well as ensure that any new business/ renewal is commercially aligned and supports delivery of the regions P+L objectives.

Strategic

Challenging the operational status quo to support improved business performance and growth.

Work closely with the Director of Cargo and the Senior Cargo Leadership team throughout the business in defining strategic, operational objectives and continued improvement in service.

Qualifications and Competencies

To be successful in this role you will:

• Have strong decision-making capabilities in a highly pressurised, time-sensitive and low-margin service business.
• Have strategic skills and commercial acumen combined with the ability to motivate teams to deliver high quality standards across a diverse multi-site leadership team.
• Have the ability to Drive change as a constant and unpredictable feature of your working environment.
• Be able to communicate clearly with your people to help them understand Swissport Western Europe direction.
• Be resilient and able to operate effectively in an environment of ambiguity.
• Be able to build positive and trusting relationships.
• Be open to different opinions and seek a collaborative approach.
• University degree or equivalent, advanced degree in a related field or professional certifications are advantageous.
• Excellent working knowledge of business management principles and practices, financial concepts, and key drivers of profitability and operational performance
• A minimum of 5-7 years’ experience with significant P&L responsibility., preferably in the aviation industry in a blue-collar environment
• Fluent spoken and written English (additional languages beneficial)