Operations Manager - Air Freight

CEVA Logistics; Hounslow; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension & life cover

Employee discounts

Job summary

CEVA Logistics is seeking an experienced Air Operations Manager to lead day-to-day air import/export operations at the Hounslow site. You will plan resources, guide teams, and ensure quality, compliance and cost control across operations.

You will collaborate with customers, airlines, suppliers and overseas offices to resolve escalations and optimize service delivery while monitoring KPIs and performance.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in air freight forwarding operations.
• Proven track record in managing day-to-day air import/export.
• Strong people management and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee air import and export activities, plan resources and workloads.
• Coach and develop teams to maintain service quality and cost control.
• Build relationships with customers, airlines, suppliers and overseas offices.
• Monitor KPIs, costs and compliance with HMRC, customs and CEVA standards.

Skills

Air freight forwarding

Operational management

People management

Customer relationships

Job description

Operations Manager - Air Freight

Req ID: 593180 Posting Start Date: 04/11/2026 Hounslow, GBR CEVA Logistics Air Freight Permanent contract Full Time

CEVA Logistics provides global supply chain solutions to connect people, products, and providers all around the world. Present in 170+ countries and with more than 110,000 employees spread over 1,500 sites, we are proud to be a Top 5 global 3PL.

We believe that our employees are the key to our success. We want to engage and empower our diverse, global team to co-create value with our customers through our solutions in contract logistics and air, ocean, ground, and finished vehicle transport. That is why CEVA Logistics offers a dynamic and exceptional work environment that fosters personal growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.

At CEVA Logistics, we rise in motion. Your career is always on the move, growing as fast and as far as your ambition takes you. Join a global team of nearly 200 nationalities, shaping the future of global trade, moving essential goods, forging new paths, and pushing boundaries to serve an ever-changing world. The pace is fast, the challenges are real, but the rewards are greater: growth, purpose, and the chance to make a meaningful impact. This is more than a job. It’s a journey on which you rise.

YOUR ROLE

CEVA Logistics is looking for an experienced Air Operations Manager to lead our day-to-day air import and export operations at our Hounslow site. Bringing together strong operational knowledge and people management skills, you will support your teams in delivering a reliable, efficient service while maintaining quality, compliance and cost control.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

Overseeing air import and export activities, you will plan resources, manage workloads and ensure shipments are handled in line with customer requirements and company procedures. Coaching and developing your teams will be central to the role, setting clear expectations and supporting individual and team performance.

Working closely with customers, airlines, suppliers, overseas offices and commercial teams, you will build effective relationships and take ownership of operational escalations. Monitoring service levels, KPIs and costs will help you identify issues, improve processes and make the best use of available resources.

Your responsibilities will also include managing supplier and carrier performance, supporting business growth opportunities and ensuring operations meet HMRC, customs, aviation security and CEVA quality requirements.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

You will bring significant experience in air freight forwarding, including operational management and a strong understanding of import and export processes, customs procedures and airline operations.

A confident people manager, you will have experience developing teams, managing performance and planning resources in a busy operational environment. Strong commercial awareness, sound judgement and a practical approach to problem-solving are essential, alongside the ability to build relationships and maintain service standards when priorities change.

Experience within aerospace or time-critical logistics would be advantageous.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO OFFER?

With a genuine culture of reward and recognition, we want our employees to grow, develop and be part of our journey. We offer a benefits package that includes competitive annual leave entitlement with a fantastic holiday buy scheme, pension and life assurance, along with access to an employee benefits platform that offers discounts and money-off vouchers for a diverse range of retail, travel and hospitality brands.

There’s no doubt that you will be compensated for your hard work and commitment, so if you’d like to work for one of the top logistics providers in the world,

ABOUT TOMORROW

That’s why we share plenty of career opportunities for you to thrive within CEVA. Join CEVA for a challenging career.

CEVA Logistics UK&I is committed to attracting, acquiring and retaining the best possible candidates in an equal and inclusive way that is consistent with employment legislation and best practice. We aim to select the best available person for every vacancy irrespective of age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, political beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and marital or civil partnership status.
Please note that candidates will be subject to the necessary right to work checks for the UK and Ireland. IND2

See how you can rise Job Alerts Link

• Corporate Site
• Privacy Policy
• Join Talent Community
• Accessibility declaration

© 2026 CEVA Logistics