Operational Support Manager GH

As a global leader in aviation services, Swissport provides Ground Handling, Cargo Handling, and Passenger Services to over 300 million passengers annually.

Our mission is simple:

"To provide the aviation industry with consistent and tailor-made solutions around the globe, for a better customer experience."

We believe that our people are what differentiate us from our competition. At Swissport, we are driven by our core values: Show You Care, Do the Right Things, and Win as a Team.

We are currently seeking a dedicated and motivated individual to join our team as: Operational Support Manager GH - Africa

Job Overview:

We are seeking a senior operational leader to oversee Ground Handling operations across the Africa region. The role is responsible for ensuring consistent day-to-day operations, implementing Swissport standards, and supporting stations in budgeting, resource planning, processes, performance management, quality, training, and safety.

Key responsibilities include developing station management leadership, achieving operational KPIs, improving profitability and productivity, ensuring health and safety compliance, and maintaining strong relationships with airline, airport, and governmental stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is innovative, customer-focused, and able to drive performance improvements and meaningful change across the organization.

Main Responsibilities:

Safety & Operations

• Lead ground handling operations, ensuring health & safety standards, KPIs, and "just culture" principles are met.
• Promote the Six Safety Commitments and embed a safety-first mindset across teams.
• Support QHSE investigations and share best practices to drive continuous improvement.

P&L Management

• Monitor financial and operational performance, identifying trends and improvement opportunities.
• Support budget preparation, capital expenditure proposals, and resource planning.

Quality & Efficiency

• Ensure operational performance, service quality, and KPI achievement.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain compliance with airport and customer agreements.

Leadership & People Development

• Develop and coach teams to enhance business understanding and performance.
• Promote colleague well-being, talent development, and succession planning.
• Maintain positive union relationships.

Business Growth & Customer Focus

• Build and maintain strategic customer relationships to support business retention and growth.
• Identify commercial opportunities and ensure alignment with P&L objectives.

Strategic & Change Leadership

• Challenge operational status quo to improve performance and drive growth.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic objectives and champion innovation and transformation initiatives.

Relationship Management

• Build trust internally and externally with key stakeholders.
• Drive a customer-centric culture and strengthen long-term partnerships.

Key Performance Indicators

• Safety KPIs: aircraft, GSE & infrastructure damages, occupational accidents
• Operational & Quality KPIs: productivity, workforce utilization, OTP, check-in & baggage times, NPS, station scorecard
• Financial performance: revenue, EBIT, EBIT margin

Requirements:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent
• Minimum 7 years' experience in Operations and 5 years in a leadership position
• Strong leadership skills and a proven track record of managing and motivating all levels to achieve operational goals
• Fluency in English, other languages an advantage
• Strong understanding of financial measures and knowledge of labour laws and regulations
• Ability to build strategic relationships in the field and influence change
• Solid strategic analysis, problem solving, issue resolution and decision-making skills
• Proven ability to communicate within a multicultural environment across all levels within the organization
• Strong understanding of internal customer and external market dynamics
• Excellent ability to work well under pressure; make quick decisions and execute
• Knowledge of Ground Service equipment, GSE Maintenance, ramp and the airport environment
• Proven experience of leading teams and getting results in a multicultural environment
• Ensure adherence to QHSE policies and procedures
• Encourage early reporting of occurrences
• Excellent knowledge of IT tools (data analysis, tracking and reporting)
• Personal and professional integrity of the highest order

Your Next Step:

If you're seeking an opportunity within an ambitious international aviation company, we invite you to apply.

Please submit your resume in English by clicking the
Apply
button.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond personally to every applicant. If you do not hear from us, we have moved forward with other candidates for this role. However, we encourage you to keep following Swissport and our careers page, as new opportunities are always arising.

Hope to hear from you soon

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Swissport, as an equal opportunity employer, bases its hiring decisions on business need and the best-qualified candidates. We do not discriminate based on any protected category.