Senior Operations Manager

DHL Group; Horley; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

34 days leave

Flexible working

Pension with 8% employer contribution

GP consultations

Discounts

Loans & mortgage advice

Job summary

DHL Supply Chain at London Gatwick Airport is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to lead a high-performing team within the easyJet operation, ensuring safe, efficient and exceptional service.

You will oversee day-to-day operations, deliver contractual commitments and KPIs, drive workforce planning, foster safety and compliance, develop leaders, and collaborate with customers and Trade Union representatives to exceed service expectations.

Qualifications

• Experience in aviation or fast-paced operations.
• Proven track record in managing large teams.
• Strong customer-focused mindset and service excellence.
• Excellent people management and coaching skills.
• Experience engaging with Trade Union representatives.
• Strong analytical capabilities with data-driven decision-making.
• Advanced IT skills, especially Excel for data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations with safe, compliant, and efficient service delivery across all activities.
• Deliver contractual commitments and KPIs.
• Drive workforce planning and resource management.
• Champion safety standards and legal obligations across the operation.
• Produce management information using IT systems and reporting tools.
• Build strong relationships with customers and stakeholders to exceed expectations.
• Develop operational management teams and succession plans.
• Foster continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Skills

Aviation sector experience

Leadership experience

Customer-focused mindset

People management

Employee relations

Analytical skills

Microsoft Excel

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Contract Type: Permanent (Full-Time)
Location: Gatwick Airport

Ready for Take-Off?

If you're energised by fast-paced environments, love leading high-performing teams, and thrive when no two days are the same, then this could be your next career move. At DHL Supply Chain, we're looking for a Senior Operations Manager to join our easyJet operation at London Gatwick Airport, helping to keep one of the UK's busiest aviation environments running safely, efficiently, and successfully.

This is more than an operations role. It's an opportunity to lead a large-scale airport operation where safety, customer experience, operational excellence, and people development come together. You'll play a critical role in delivering exceptional service for easyJet, driving operational performance, engaging with key stakeholders, and developing the next generation of operational leaders within DHL Supply Chain.

A TYPICAL DAY MAY INVOLVE

As Senior Operations Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the control and delivery of operations at London Gatwick Airport, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality, efficient operational processes that achieve outstanding customer service and operational performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the day-to-day operation, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient service delivery across all operational activities.
• Delivering contractual commitments and achieving internal and external KPIs.
• Driving operational excellence through effective resource planning and workforce management.
• Championing safety standards, operational compliance, and legal obligations across the operation.
• Producing accurate and timely management information through the effective use of available IT systems and reporting tools.
• Building strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders to ensure service expectations are consistently exceeded.
• Working collaboratively with Trade Union representatives to foster positive employee relations and achieve shared operational goals.
• Leading, coaching, and developing operational management teams to maximise performance and engagement.
• Creating and maintaining robust development and succession plans across all levels of the operation.
• Supporting a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.
• Ensuring a strong pipeline of future talent through effective leadership, coaching, and succession planning.

THIS ROLE WOULD SUIT PEOPLE WHO

We're looking for an inspiring operational leader who can build high-performing teams, drive results, and maintain exceptional standards in a demanding environment.

You'll ideally have:

• Previous experience within the aviation sector or another fast-paced operational environment.
• Significant management and leadership experience within a large-scale operation.
• A strong customer-focused mindset with a track record of delivering service excellence.
• Excellent people management, coaching, and team development skills.
• Experience managing employee relations and engaging with Trade Union representatives.
• Strong analytical capabilities and confidence using operational data to drive decision-making.
• Advanced IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel, with the ability to input, manipulate, analyse, and present data effectively.
• The ability to work under pressure and make effective operational decisions in a dynamic environment.

WHY JOIN US?

• 34 days annual leave plus the option to buy more!
• We're happy to talk about flexible working
• 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-chain 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 23rd November. 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.