HR Specialist - Manpower Optimisation

Emirates Flight Catering; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Two duty meals provided at EKFC

Health and wellness coverage

Paid time off and public holidays

Performance-based bonus and salary'

NAJM Awards recognition

Learning and development support

Team events and engagement

Job summary

Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) is seeking a seasoned Manpower Planning Specialist to develop forecasting models, analyze workforce data, and drive cost-efficient staffing aligned with business growth.

The role requires strong quantitative skills, stakeholder negotiation, and experience in large-scale hospitality or aviation operations. You will work across departments to ensure compliant shift patterns and budget adherence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in math, business, or industrial engineering.
• Minimum 5 years in resource management or manpower planning.
• At least 2 years in catering, airport, or similar operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop manpower forecasting models across business units to predict future workforce needs.
• Analyze workforce data to identify trends and prepare reports for senior management.
• Establish shift standards, breaks, and workload distribution with stakeholders for budgeting.
• Validate manpower proposals against system reports to ensure compliance.
• Review and audit manpower recommendations within deadlines to ensure adherence.
• Evaluate business cases using financial tools and suggest timely solutions.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes impacting manpower budgets and costs.
• Drive planning, analysis, and optimization to align with strategy and efficiency.

Skills

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Negotiation

Planning & organising

Power BI

Education

BSc in Math/Business Admin/Industrial Eng

Tools

Airport RM Systems

Job description

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement effective manpower forecasting models and methods in various business units to accurately predict future workforce requirements based on business needs, growth plans and industry trends to align with manpower strategy of EKFC.
• Gather, analyse and interpret workforce data to identify trends, patterns, and insights and develop reports and presentations to influence senior management and relevant stakeholders for data driven decision making.
• Establish engagement standards, shift preferences, breaks, rest days and fair distribution of workload, through negotiations and collaboration with the relevant stakeholders and change management process for the purposes of manpower planning and budgeting process.
• Validate manpower proposals using system reports and templates to ensure shift and roster rules compliance.
• Responsible for review and manpower audit on the approved recommendation within agreed timelines to ensure the recommendations are adhered to.
• Evaluate business cases and profitability figures using finance tools and recommend appropriate business solution in a timely manner.
• Identify opportunities for improvements in business process that impact manpower budgets and suggest recommendation for changes to the business and senior leadership.
• Drive effective manpower planning, analysis, and optimization to ensure alignment with business strategy, operational efficiency, and cost control.

Qualifications

Education Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering or similar discipline.

Work Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in resource management, manpower planning or similar discipline out of which minimum 2 years’ experience in catering, airport, or similar operations.
• Working experience in Airport resource management systems within a large organisation is an added advantage.

Skills

• Attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness
• Ability to listen, advise, counsel, influence and negotiate.
• Planning and organising
• Data collection analysis and storytelling, Power BI

About Us

EKFC ( https://www.emiratesflightcatering.com/about-us/):

Build Your Future With Us

At Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), our people are at the heart of everything we do. As one of the world’s largest catering and hospitality services providers, we deliver excellence at scale—supporting airlines, hospitality brands, and global events every day. Our success is driven by the passion, professionalism, and commitment of our teams.

Why Work With Us

At EKFC, your role matters. Whether you work in operations, engineering, corporate services, or support functions, you contribute to delivering safe, reliable, and high‑quality services every single day.

You’ll Be Part Of

• A globally recognised organisation within the Emirates Group ecosystem
• A diverse, multicultural workforce united by shared standards and values
• A fast‑paced, operational environment where responsibility and professionalism matter
• A workplace that values integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement

Life at EKFC

What You Can Expect

• Collaborative and approachable leadership
• A diverse, multicultural team
• Open communication and transparency

Rewards & Benefits

We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Two duty meals provided at EKFC
• Health and wellness coverage
• Paid time off and public holidays
• Performance‑based annual bonus and salary review opportunities, subject to eligibility and company policy
• Recognition for achievements and commitment, including monetary NAJM Awards (Appreciation, Bronze, Silver & Gold levels)
• Learning and development support
• Team events and engagement activities

Benefits may vary by role and location.

Our Recruitment Journey

Our recruitment process is designed to be transparent and respectful:

• Application review
• Initial interview or assessment
• Technical Interview & Case Study presentation
• Background Check
• Employment Contract

The recruitment and interview process may vary depending on the role.