Head of Department (Back of House)

DHL; Luton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics company is looking for a Head of Department (Back of House) at Luton Airport. This role includes providing leadership for Back of House operations, ensuring safety compliance, and managing a workforce of over 200 employees. Candidates should be senior operations leaders with experience in fast-paced settings, strong people management skills, and a full UK driving license. Join us to be part of our commitment to operational excellence and safety.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

24/7 GP consultations

Retail and lifestyle discounts

Affordable loans and savings schemes

Qualifications

• Proven senior operations leader delivering high performance in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Confident, visible leader able to inspire large, multisite teams.
• Inclusive people leader experienced in managing managers.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for all Back of House operations.
• Champion a strong health and safety culture.
• Lead and develop a workforce of 200+ colleagues.
• Attend customer meetings and represent DHL.
• Drive performance through effective people management.

Skills

Leadership

Safety Management

Change Management

People Management

Customer Service

Driving License

Job description

Pay Rate: £50,000 up to £55,000 depending on experience; Grade: RCS K; Contract Type: Permanent (Full-Time); Shift patterns: Monday to Friday (Will need to be flexible for earlies and lates); Location: Luton Airport, Luton.

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.

Think you know DHL? Think again! We're not just about delivering parcels. DHL Supply Chain is the world's leading logistics company, providing top-notch ground handling services at numerous UK airports. Join us in our mission to deliver excellence in aviation logistics!

We're now looking for a Head of Department (Back of House) to play an integral role at the heart of our operations, ensuring that every flight is a success.

✅ A TYPICAL DAY MAY INVOLVE

• Provide overall leadership for all Back of House (BOH) operations, including ramp, Turnaround Operations, Dock (baggage handling) and pushback, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-performing service delivery.
• Champion a strong health and safety culture, ensuring full regulatory compliance and embedding safe systems of work across all operational areas.
• Lead and develop a workforce of 200+ colleagues and operational managers, fostering accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Attending customer meetings, represent DHL at stakeholder meetings, setting strategic direction and driving efficiencies and operational excellence.
• Drive performance through effective people management, engagement initiatives, and robust attendance and absence control.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to deliver operational change, optimise resources, and support key business objectives.

✅ THIS ROLE WOULD SUIT PEOPLE WHO

• Proven senior operations leader delivering high performance in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Confident, visible leader able to inspire large, multisite teams and set clear direction.
• Change-driven and improvement-focused, with a strong commitment to safety and operational excellence.
• Inclusive people leader experienced in managing managers, driving engagement, performance, and wellbeing.
• Proud brand ambassador with a strong focus on safety, teamwork, and customer service.
• Full UK manual driving licence essential.

✅ SECURITY PROCESS TO WORK WITHIN AVIATION AND TRAVEL AT DHL

To obtain a full airside ID, you must:

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

✅ WHY JOIN US?

• We're happy to talk about flexible working – just ask about alternative patterns at interview
• Join our generous pension scheme and benefit from an 8% employer contribution, alongside a 4% employee contribution
• Free confidential 24/7 GP consultations
• Hundreds of retail and lifestyle discounts
• Affordable loans, savings schemes and free mortgage advice
• Visit DHL careers page to learn more

✅ WHO WE ARE

We're the global leaders in supply chain management with 188,000 people in over 50 countries. Our expert teams work together to deliver for our customers across a range of industries including retail, automotive, healthcare and more.

✅ BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE

At DHL, we're all about creating a workplace where everyone's skills and experiences matter, and where you can be your true self every day.

As proud supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant, we value the skills and experience of ex-service personnel and are dedicated to helping our veterans find jobs.

Please be aware that interviews are provisionally scheduled to take place during the week commencing Monday 9th February 2026. Applications received after this date may not be considered but will be added to our talent pool for future opportunities, subject to your consent. Please also be aware that we review applications continuously and where we have a large number of applications the application period may close ahead of the provisional interview date. To ensure your application is considered we recommend submitting it as early as possible.

Head of Department Back of House • Luton, Luton, LU2 9LS, United Kingdom