Duty Manager

DHL; United Kingdom; On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

GP service

Retail discounts

Pension scheme

Employee support

Job summary

DHL at Gatwick Airport is seeking a Duty Manager to lead day-to-day aviation operations, ensuring safety, compliance and exceptional ground handling across baggage, cabin appearance and related services.

You will manage a large workforce, drive performance against KPIs, conduct appraisals and oversee shift handovers while maintaining strong cross-department collaboration to meet on-time targets for customers, with aviation experience and security checks required.

Qualifications

• Strong management knowledge and experience.
• Ability to inspire, lead, and motivate a large workforce.
• Familiarity with ground handling practices (preferred).
• Excellent people and communication skills.
• Proven leadership abilities with KPI targets.
• Ability to drive policies and procedures.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing needs.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement consistent processes to maximize colleague utilization while minimizing staff turnover and absenteeism.
• Conduct comprehensive appraisals and performance management in line with the company handbook.
• Facilitate daily shift handovers and conduct face-to-face team performance discussions.
• Keep all staff informed of operational issues, updates, and notices.
• Collaborate with colleagues and liaise with the Assistant Operations Manager to support cross-departmental operations.
• Ensure on-time performance targets set by customers are met.
• Conduct staff performance appraisals, 1-2-1s and probationary reviews in accordance with company policies.
• Uphold safety standards by completing audits and raising safety reports.

Skills

Management knowledge

Leadership

People leadership

Communication

Performance targets

Policy implementation

Adaptability

Job description

PLEASE NOTE THAT AVIATION EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ROLE

Pay Rate: £45,492.58

Grade: L

Contract Type: Permanent (Full-Time)

Shift patterns: 4 on 4 off days (6am - 6pm) and nights (6pm - 6am)

Location: Gatwick Airport - RH6 0JW

PLEASE NOTE: The role is based within an airport. You will be required to undergo a security/background check if you are to be successful for this position.

Ready for your career to take off? Did you know that DHL, an award-winning leading supply chain business, also provides ground handling services at many UK airports? We're seeking a Duty Manager to play an integral role in our aviation contract, delivering a first‑class service and achieving fantastic results.

WHAT DOES THE ROLE ENTAIL?

• Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement consistent processes to maximize colleague utilization while minimizing staff turnover and absenteeism.
• Conduct comprehensive appraisals and performance management in line with the company handbook.
• Facilitate daily shift handovers and conduct face-to-face team performance discussions.
• Keep all staffinformed of operational issues, company updates, and station operational notices.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues and liaise with the Assistant Operations Manager (APM) to support cross-departmental operations.
• Ensure on-time performance targets set by customers are consistently met.
• Conduct staff performance appraisals, 1-2-1's and probationary reviews in accordance with company policies.
• Uphold safety standards by completing audits using iAuditor and raising General Safety Reports (GSRs).
• Foster a culture of safety, ensuring compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and its revisions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with third-party providers.
• Always represent the company in a professional manner.
• Perform any other reasonable duties as requested during shifts.

WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU?

We'd love to hear from you if you have the following experience but don't hesitate to apply if you don't tick every box on this page - we're great at spotting talent and potential in everyone:

• Strong management knowledge and experience.
• Ability to inspire, lead, and motivate a large workforce.
• Familiarity with ground handling practices, including baggage handling, cabin appearance, and airside safety (preferred).
• Excellent people and communication skills.
• Proven leadership abilities with a track record of achieving key performance targets.
• Strong capability to drive policies and procedures.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing operational needs.

SECURITY PROCESS TO WORK WITHIN AVIATION AND TRAVEL AT DHL

• Be able to provide five years address history
• Be able to provide five years reference history (employment/education/benefit claim/character)
• To obtain a full airside ID
• Pass a pre-employment Drug and Alcohol test

WHY CHOOSE US?

As well as competitive pay rates, you will be entitled to an award-winning range of benefits including:

• Free confidential 24/7 GP service
• Hundreds of discounts (including retail, childcare + gym)
• Affordable loans & enhanced pension scheme
• 24/7 employee support service for you (+ family) with access to free counselling and much more: https://careers.dhl.com/global/en/dsc-benefits

OUR APPROACH TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

We will ensure that all our resourcing activities are fair, transparent and consistent across the UK. Find out more about our global approach to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging: https://careers.dhl.com/global/en/diversity

BE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE

DHL is the global leader in Supply Chain management and we keep the world moving. Our expert teams work together to deliver for our customers across a range of industries including retail, automotive, healthcare and more, so they can deliver to their customers.