Operations Manager

dnata catering and retail; Canberra; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Free parking

Novated Lease Program

Employee Assistance Program

Retail discounts

Health insurance discounts

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

dnata catering and retail in Canberra is seeking an Operations Manager to lead our Canberra Airport catering team. You will act as the central contact between our company and airline customers, overseeing daily operations, leading onsite teams, and ensuring safe and smooth delivery of production schedules.

You will support the Unit Manager, assume site leadership in their absence, and manage rostering, purchasing, and staff guidance on shifts while maintaining high safety, quality, and

Qualifications

• Previous management experience in a similar role is required.
• Knowledge of Food Safety/HACCP with audit and compliance experience desirable.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills with ability to manage fast-paced, diverse stakeholders.
• Must be able to work a 7-day roster; MR licence and Forklift (LF) licence preferred; National Police Check required.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on leader overseeing daily operations across Production, Equipment, Stores, Purchasing, and Customer Delivery.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, clients, and airlines.
• Manage aircraft order changes and provide customer service and logistics advice to airline clients.
• Represent the company professionally at internal and external events.
• Monitor productivity, quality, audits, and compliance (Food Safety, HSE, Security).
• Contribute to cost control, aircraft loading, inventory, and planning.
• Support forecasting, rostering, purchasing, reporting, and guide staff during shifts.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Food Safety HACCP

Tools

MR Licence

Forklift LF

Job description

Want to elevate your career to a Higher Altitude?

Join Australia's premier inflight catering partner. We have an exciting opportunity for an Operations Manager to join our Canberra Airport team.Atdnatacatering & retail the sky truly is the limit!

More about this role:

A unique and rewarding opportunity for a full-time Operations Manager to help lead our catering team at Canberra Airport. Acting as the central point of contact between our company and airline customers, you will oversee daily operations, lead onsite teams, and ensure compliance and smooth delivery of production schedules. The role supports the Unit Manager in running safe and efficient operations and assumes full site leadership and decision-making in their absence.

What are your responsibilities?

Hands-on leader overseeing daily operations across Production, Equipment, Stores, Purchasing, and Customer Delivery, building strong relationships with internal teams, clients, and airlines.

Manage aircraft order changes, provide customer service and logistics advice to airline clients, and represent the company professionally at internal and external events.

Monitor productivity, quality, audits, and compliance (Food Safety, HSE, Security), while contributing to cost control, aircraft loading, inventory, and operational planning.

Support forecasting, rostering, purchasing, reporting, and provide leadership and guidance to staff during shifts.

What do you need to be successful in securing this role?

Previous management experience in a similar role, ideally within manufacturing, food distribution, logistics, or supply chain.

Knowledge of Food Safety/HACCP, with audit and compliance experience desirable.

Strong communication, problem-solving skills, and ability to manage fast-paced, challenging situations with diverse stakeholders.

Must be able to work a 7-day roster and occasional out-of-hours shifts; MR driver’s licence and Forklift (LF) licence preferred, with a clear National Police Check required.

What’sin it for you?

Competitive salary, 5 weeks annual leave and free parking

Opportunities for career growth across Australia and South-East Asia.

Access to our Novated Lease Program and 24/7 Employee Assistance Program.

Retail discounts, health insurance discounts, wellbeing resources, and a supportive team.

Part of the Emirates Group, we are Australia’s largest inflight catering and retail partner. Chosen by many of the world’s top airlines for our award-winning meals and outstanding service, we operate 13 catering facilities across 10 cities, employ over 4,000 people, produce over 47 million meals, and service over 252 thousand flights each year.