Manager Freighter Operations

Etihad Airways; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading airline based in Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced operational manager for freighter operations within their cargo division. This role involves managing daily operations, ensuring effective coverage, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders to resolve issues and track performance metrics. Candidates must hold a university degree and have at least 5 years' experience in airline cargo operations or operational management. Strong problem-solving skills are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Airline Cargo Operations or Operational Management.
• Demonstrable experience in managing operational processes at a station or hub level.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day cargo operations ensuring 24/7 coverage.
• Deliver and monitor freighter operating plans and track KPIs.
• Coordinate with internal teams for operational readiness and issue resolution.

Skills

Airline Cargo Operations

Operational Management

Ground Handler Operations

Problem Resolution

Education

University degree

Job description

Synopsis

Manage the day-to-day delivery of Etihad Cargo freighter operations across Etihad and ACMI flying. Ensure consistent station performance, safe and compliant operations, and strong coordination with internal teams and third parties. Provide reliable operational control, reporting, and issue resolution to protect OTP, service delivery, and customer commitments.

Accountabilities

• Run the freighter operations day to day, ensuring 24 by 7 coverage is effective through roster, handovers, and discipline of control tasks.
• Deliver the agreed freighter operating plan, support implementation of fleet and ACMI plans, highlight risks, and escalate constraints early.
• Act as the operational focal point with NOC, scheduling, charter, capacity control, network planning, flight ops, maintenance, catering, fuelling, and regional handling teams to resolve live issues and avoid repeat failures.
• Maintain performance reporting and operational dashboards, track KPIs such as freighter OTP, DAP, Cargo iQ, and drive corrective actions with owners.
• Support station startups and changes, coordinate operational readiness, supplier set up, SLAs, audits, and performance reviews, and follow up actions with stations and third parties.
• Track operational cost drivers that sit within freighter operations, support controls on catering and related operational spend, and raise cost reduction opportunities for review and approval.
• Manage the operational side of ACMI relationships, prepare performance packs, support review meetings, drive closure of audit findings and non-compliance items, and elevate commercial or contractual topics.

Education & Experience

• Min University degree with significant relevant work experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience – with a demonstrable experience in: Airline Cargo Operations, Ground Handler Operations, Operational Management at a station or hub level.

About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the world’s leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. Together with Etihad’s codeshare partners, Etihad’s network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more.All this ties into Etihad’s ambitious Journey 2030 strategy. The airline plans to double its fleet size and triple the number of customers over the next six years as it sets out to be the airline everyone wants to fly!

To learn more, visit etihad.com

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