Head of Operational Performance

DHL Supply Chain; Gatwick; On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car or car allowance

Competitive pension scheme

Health and wellbeing programmes

Job summary

DHL Supply Chain is seeking a Head of Operational Performance to oversee the aviation and travel ground handling operations at Gatwick. The role focuses on using data and strategic leadership to drive performance, optimise productivity and deliver exceptional customer outcomes in a fast-paced airport environment.

You will work with senior leaders and operational teams to identify opportunities, implement performance improvement strategies and ensure profitability while maintaining safety and

Qualifications

• Experience in operational performance or improvement within a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness with budgeting and forecasting experience.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and build relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead and govern operational and financial performance frameworks with KPIs.
• Analyse performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Drive performance review processes across the operation and hold stakeholders accountable.
• Develop and implement performance improvement strategies to boost productivity and profitability.
• Partner with leadership teams to identify root causes and deliver corrective actions.
• Provide strategic oversight of budgeting, forecasting and cost control.

Skills

Operational performance

Financial acumen

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Job description

Grade: RCS J

Contract Type: Permanent (Full-Time)

Location: Gatwick – 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.

At DHL Supply Chain, we keep some of the world's most dynamic aviation operations moving. As Head of Operational Performance, you'll play a pivotal role in driving the operational, customer and financial success of our Aviation & Travel business, supporting the delivery of high-quality ground handling and cabin appearance services for one of the UK's leading airlines. Working within a fast-paced airport environment, you'll use data, insight and strategic leadership to drive performance, optimise productivity and deliver exceptional customer outcomes.

Joining our Aviation team means becoming part of a business where operational excellence, safety and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do. You'll work closely with senior leaders, customers and operational teams to identify opportunities, tackle challenges and implement performance improvement strategies that enhance service delivery, commercial performance and long-term business success.

A TYPICAL DAY MAY INVOLVE

• Lead and govern operational and financial performance frameworks, ensuring contractual, customer and business KPIs are consistently achieved.
• Analyse operational and commercial performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities, turning insight into tangible business improvements.
• Drive performance review processes across the operation, holding stakeholders accountable for delivery against agreed objectives.
• Develop and implement performance improvement strategies that enhance productivity, service quality, customer satisfaction and profitability.
• Partner with operational leadership teams to identify root causes of performance gaps and deliver sustainable corrective actions.
• Provide strategic oversight of budgeting, forecasting and financial performance, ensuring effective cost control and delivery of profit targets.
• Lead a culture of continuous improvement, performance excellence and data-driven decision-making across the operation.

this Role Would Suit People Who

• Experience in operational performance, business improvement or operational leadership within a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting and driving cost efficiencies.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and build effective relationships with customers, operational teams and business partners.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate complex operational and financial data into clear actions and business outcomes.
• A track record of delivering KPI improvements, productivity gains and measurable operational performance enhancements.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects, transformational initiatives and continuous improvement programmes.
• A collaborative and resilient leadership style, with the ability to challenge constructively, drive accountability and inspire high performance from others.

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?

• Access to the company car or car allowance scheme
• 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 https://careers.dhl.com/global/en/working-at-dhl-supply-chainto 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 7th September 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.

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