Specialist - Network Planning - Cargo

AIR CANADA; Dorval; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Canada Cargo seeks a seasoned leader to drive the freighter and all-cargo network strategy from the Dorval hub. You will analyze routes, forecast demand, and determine frequencies and capacity while coordinating with Commercial, Finance, Operations and Crew Management.

Reporting to the Senior Manager - Network Optimization, you will leverage AI-enabled analytics and Power BI to support data-driven decisions and optimize profitability across the network.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of experience in transportation, air cargo, or the airline industry.
• University degree in finance, economics, or business.
• Advanced computer skills: AI and BI tools, Microsoft Office, and Power BI.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Design freighter flight plans to maximize profitability and international reach.
• Analyze past route performance and forecast future demand.
• Determine routes, frequencies, and capacity adjustments per the network strategy.
• Create flight plans maximizing connections while staying competitive for Air Canada Cargo.
• Ensure profitable aircraft allocation considering slots, curfews and constraints.
• Use optimization tools and analytics for strategic scenarios and business cases.
• Identify opportunities and adapt plans based on market trends and competition.
• Collaborate with Freight allocation and internal stakeholders across departments.
• Monitor route profitability, trends, and on-time performance; adjust plans.
• Evaluate ad-hoc flights balancing profitability, feasibility, and network impact.
• Occasionally support allocation updates to meet team goals.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Data-driven decision-making

Communication

Problem solving under pressure

Education

University degree in finance/economics/business

Tools

Power BI

Microsoft Office

AI tools

Job description

Belonging to Air Canada is to belong to a Canadian symbol, Air Canada recently voted best airline in North America. Take off your career by joining our innovative and diverse team at the forefront of passenger air transport.

Reporting to the Senior Manager - Network Optimization, the incumbent plays an essential leadership role in developing Air Canada Cargo's short- and medium-term network strategy. They are responsible for defining and implementing the strategic direction of the all-cargo network, optimizing profitability, and ensuring seamless integration with the passenger network. Through cross-functional leadership and data-driven decision-making, the incumbent defines the Freight network and allocation, which directly impacts freighter aircraft performance and the profitability of the Freight business.

Responsibilities:

• Assume responsibility for the design of all aspects of Air Canada's freighter flight plans to maximize profitability and achieve our goals as an international carrier.
  • Analyze past route performance and establish future demand forecasts.
  • Determine short- and medium-term routes, frequencies, and capacity adjustments in accordance with the network strategy.
  • Create a flight plan that maximizes connection opportunities while ensuring the network remains competitive and attractive to Air Canada Cargo customers.
• Ensure optimal and profitable allocation of the aircraft fleet through efficient multi-stop itineraries, while accounting for internal and external constraints such as slots, permits, curfews and airport restrictions, staffing and operational limitations, aircraft performance, etc.
• Leverage optimization tools and advanced analytics to develop strategic scenarios, evaluate business cases, and support high-impact network decision-making.
• Identify emerging opportunities and proactively adapt network plans based on competitor activities, economic trends, geopolitical events, fuel costs, and evolving global supply chains.
• Collaborate with the person responsible for Freight allocation and ensure that freighter aircraft allocation is established in coordination with all internal stakeholders: International Affairs, Commercial Affairs team, Finance, Operations, and Crew Management.
• Continuously monitor route profitability, booking trends, and on-time performance, and adjust short-term plans accordingly.
• Lead the evaluation of ad-hoc flight opportunities by striking the right balance between profitability, operational feasibility, customer requirements, and network impact.
• Occasionally participate in executing essential activities that go beyond core responsibilities, such as updating allocation, to contribute to the overall goals of the team.

Qualifications

• Ability to work effectively under pressure, solve complex problems, and make decisions considering a large number of constraints.
• Ability to lead network-wide projects, gain support, and foster project analysis to achieve desired results.
• Strong autonomy, proven leadership skills, and ability to multitask.
• Results-oriented attitude and ability to influence people through exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• At least five years of experience in transportation, air cargo, or the airline industry, a definite asset.
• Solid knowledge of commercial and operational principles of planning and allocation in the airline industry.
• University degree in finance, economics, or business.
• Advanced computer skills: AI and BI tools, Microsoft Office suite, and Power BI.

Conditions of employment:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country concerned at the time a job offer is presented and are responsible for obtaining necessary work permits, visas, or other authorizations. Proof of eligibility must be provided before the start date.

Language Requirements

Equal skills remaining equal, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and inclusion

Air Canada is firmly committed to diversity and inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible, and rewarding workplace that highlights the unique contribution of our employees to our company's success.

As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage diverse applications so that we can build a workforce that is varied and representative of our customers and the communities where we live and offer our services.

Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.