Operational Assistant - Air China

Prestwick Spaceport; Prestwick; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is seeking an Operational Assistant to join a fast-paced cargo operation with Air China. You will support ground activities, handle office tasks, and assist in ramp and warehouse supervision to ensure smooth international cargo flows.

Ideal candidates have admin experience, a good grasp of the aviation sector, and strong organisational skills. A full UK driving licence is essential; Mandarin is desirable. Proficiency in MS Office is expected.

Qualifications

• Previous administrative experience.
• Understanding of the Aviation industry.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Proven teamwork and communication abilities.
• Flexibility to work in a 24/7 shift environment.

Responsibilities

• Office work: check flight reservations, handle inquiries, update cargo system.
• Warehouse supervision: supervise cargo buildup and document checks.
• Ramp supervision: monitor facilities, supervise loading/unloading.
• Communication: liaise with sales, warehouse and ramp teams; manage messaging apps.
• Security: follow security policies and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Administrative experience

Aviation industry understanding

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Team player

Communication skills

Time management

MS Office proficiency

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

About The Role

Are you ready to be part of something fast-paced, dynamic, and essential to global trade? We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated Operational Assistants to work alongside Air China at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. This is your opportunity to play a key role in the success of our 24/7 cargo operation, supporting vital international connections and helping us deliver world-class service every single day.

About Us

Glasgow Prestwick Airport directly employs around 500 people and supports over 4,000 jobs across Scotland’s aerospace cluster. Located at the heart of Scotland’s aviation and aerospace industry, we deliver a wide range of in-house aviation services, providing vital connections to the rest of the world.

What We’re Looking For

As an Operational Assistant, you’ll be at the center of our busy airport operation, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. From working closely with Air China supporting key ground activities, you’ll make a real difference to the success of our cargo and aviation services.

Key Responsibilities

Office work

• Check the flight reservation and follow the goods delivery one day before flight ETD.
• Customer service, answer phone calls, reply to emails, and other daily matters.
• ULD data check and update cargo system.
• Flight data check in cargo system.
• Deal with claims.
• Attend meetings with service providers.
• Check handling invoices.

Warehouse supervision

• Focus on cargo buildup according to the building instruction.
• Cross check all related documents.
• Supervise all ULD ready to be loaded a certain time before flight departure.

Ramp supervision

• Check all facilities on stand and available for use before flight arrival.
• Monitor refuelling, catering and engineering service.
• Supervise flight unloading and loading.
• Focusing on crew transport.
• Check the flight documents, obtain the crew’s signature where required, and file them for record.
• Assist in resolving the problems of crew related to flight operation whenever needed.

Communication

• Communicate with related departments, including sales team, warehouse and ramp.
• Focus on WeChat & WhatsApp information from the sales team, warehouse, ramp and deal with any irregularities.

Security

• To ensure knowledge and understanding of all appropriate security responsibilities as detailed in job description and other relevant policy documents.
• To ensure that standards set at security training courses are adhered to.
• To maintain level 1 security competence.

About You

Ideal candidates will have previous administrative experience, an understanding of the Aviation industry, excellent organisational skills and strong attention to detail.

Essential

• Flexibility to work in a 24/7 shift environment (40 hours per week, Monday–Sunday).
• A full UK driving licence is essential.
• A team player with a strong work ethic, reliability, and the drive to deliver in a fast-paced environment.
• Organise, prioritise and manage time / work effectively.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Mandarin spoken (desirable).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Good team player and able to work on own initiative.
• Self-disciplined and able to work to tight deadlines.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality.

Join the team at Glasgow Prestwick Airport and become part of a dynamic and diverse workforce dedicated to excellence in aviation services.

Equal Opportunities

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to applying equal opportunities at all stages of our recruitment and selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be made to our recruitment process to ensure that no applicant is disadvantaged.

Closing Date: 20th September 2026