Manager, Workforce Planning (12-Month Fixed Term Contract)

dnata catering; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

EAP 24/7

Retail discounts

Novated leasing

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

dnata catering & retail Australia is seeking a Manager, Workforce Planning to lead the national function. This 12-month fixed-term contract offers potential for extension, reporting to the General Manager, Operations, Governance & Compliance.

You will drive forecasting, labour modelling, labour hours and roster plans across multiple sites. The role requires strategic leadership, governance of planning standards, and close collaboration with Operations leaders to optimise capacity and

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in workforce planning, labour planning, resource planning or workforce optimisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead national Workforce Planning and Resource Allocation teams.
• Establish and maintain governance, standards and operating disciplines across locations.
• Collaborate with Operations to develop labour models and capacity frameworks.
• Translate forecast demand into workforce requirements and roster plans.
• Monitor labour performance against plan.
• Drive optimisation of workforce management systems.
• Build stakeholder relationships and coach leaders on planning and change management.
• Contribute to the Operations Leadership Team.

Skills

Forecasting labour

Labour modelling

Workforce optimisation

Analytical skills

Financial modelling

Data interpretation

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Industrial agreements

Excel

Groundstar Planning

Rostering

Systems experience

National leadership

Tools

Groundstar Planning

Excel

Job description

Manager, Workforce Planning (12-Month Fixed Term Contract)

Take ownership of a national workforce planning function where your expertise in forecasting, labour modelling, workforce optimisation and stakeholder leadership will directly influence operational performance across one of Australia's most complex multi-site operations.

About Us

Part of the Emirates Group, dnata catering & retail is Australia’s leading inflight catering and retail partner. We support many of the world’s most recognised airlines, delivering award‑winning meals and exceptional service that create memorable inflight dining experiences for thousands of travelers each day.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Manager, Workforce Planning to lead our national Workforce Planning function across dnata catering & retail Australia. This 12-month fixed-term contract offers the potential for extension. Reporting to the General Manager, Operations, Governance & Compliance, you will play a key role in driving workforce planning excellence across the business.

This strategic leadership role is responsible for establishing and governing workforce planning standards, systems, processes and performance disciplines that ensure our workforce aligns with operational demand across multiple sites nationally. You will lead a team of Workforce Planners and Resource Allocators while partnering closely with Operations leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the national Workforce Planning and Resource Allocation teams.
• Establish and maintain workforce planning governance, standards and operating disciplines across all locations.
• Collaborate with Operations leaders to develop and implement labour models and workforce capacity frameworks.
• Translate forecast demand into workforce requirements, labour hours and roster plans.
• Monitor required versus rostered and rostered versus actual labour performance.
• Drive workforce management system optimisation including Groundstar Planning, Rostering and RealTime.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and coach leaders on workforce planning and change management.
• Actively contribute to the Operations Leadership Team.

About You

• Minimum 5 years experience in workforce planning, labour planning, resource planning or workforce optimisation.
• Experience within a complex, multi-site or 24/7 operational environment.
• Strong experience in workforce forecasting, labour modelling and optimisation.
• Advanced analytical, financial modelling and data interpretation skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation capability.
• Deep understanding of industrial agreements and workforce compliance.
• Advanced Excel and workforce planning systems experience.
• National leadership exposure
• 12-month fixed-term opportunity with potential for extension
• 5 weeks annual leave and competitive salary
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available 24/7
• Discounts at hundreds of retailers, novated leasing and wellbeing resources.

At dnata, we value an inclusive and respectful workplace and welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities.

The Recruitment process includes interviews, health checks, reference and criminal history checks, and verification of working rights. Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For more information on careers at dnata catering & retail please visit