As Senior Operations Manager, you will be the most senior leader on-site during your shift in our brand-new Cargo Terminal at Schiphol. You’ll be fully accountable for delivering the day’s operation across all departments. You’ll provide clear direction, resolve disruptions decisively, and ensure performance, safety, and compliance targets are met in real time.
This role requires strong operational oversight, sound judgment under pressure, and the ability to maintain alignment across multiple teams and stakeholders. You will play a key role in ensuring seamless daily execution while contributing to continuous improvement and long-term resilience.
Responsibilities
• Take full operational ownership during your shift, acting as the senior escalation point across all functions
• Deliver the daily operational plan while responding swiftly to changes, disruptions, and competing demands
• Monitor service levels and operational KPIs, ensuring targets are achieved and standards upheld
• Manage flight delays, cargo offloads, and recovery actions with a clear focus on customer and business impact
• Ensure full compliance with HSE and aviation security regulations across all activities.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal teams and external partners, holding all parties accountable
• Collaborate with department managers to ensure resource and equipment plans are aligned and executable
• Lead and support operational projects that drive performance, efficiency, and service quality
• Head up our dnata Control Center where our Production Control team, Operations Control Managers and Operational Key Account Managers are based
What you bring
• A bachelor’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Operations Management or similar
• Certifications such as Lean Six Sigma, IATA or NEBOSH would be considered a plus
• Significant experience in operational leadership within a complex, regulated environment — aviation, logistics, or transport preferred
• Strong strategic awareness combined with hands-on leadership in time-critical situations.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage effectively at all levels, internally and externally
• A solid understanding of HSE, compliance, and security requirements in a 24/7 setting
• A calm, structured approach — even when the pressure is high
• Flexibility to work on a rotating shift schedule
What we offer
This is a senior position in a complex, fast-paced operational environment where you will have end-to-end responsibility for daily performance. You’ll be trusted to make critical decisions that directly impact service delivery and operational continuity. You will have the opportunity to shape how operations are executed and drive measurable improvements. Continuous improvement is a core part of the role, not an added extra.
Ready to bring your expertise to the front line of a high-performing operation?
Apply now and lead where it matters most.
Senior Operations Manager
Reports to: Director of Cargo
Direct reports: Operations Control Managers (OCM’s) and Operational Key Account Managers (OKAM’s)
Indirect reports: all Managers and Duty Managers within the operation
About the Role
As a Senior Operations Manager, you will lead the end-to-end operational performance of our ground handling and cargo logistics functions during your shift. Acting as the most senior point of escalation within the operation, you will ensure the seamless delivery of service excellence, compliance, safety, and performance standards across all departments.
This is a critical, high-impact role requiring strong decision-making, stakeholder management, and the ability to lead operations in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment. You will be instrumental in driving our customer experience, ensuring that operational disruption is minimized, and that performance targets are consistently met or exceeded.
Key Responsibilities
• Serve as the senior escalation point for all operational issues during your shift, providing immediate resolution and proactive contingency planning.
• Lead the delivery of the "on-the-day" operational plan, adjusting resourcing and priorities in real time to maximize efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Monitor and drive overall operational performance, including the development and reporting of key KPIs and productivity metrics.
• Take full accountability for any flight delays, offloads, and the recovery of offloaded cargo during your shift.
• Ensure full compliance with all HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) and security legislation, including company and regulatory procedures.
• Proactively liaise with internal teams and external stakeholders to align service delivery and quickly resolve any performance-impacting issues.
• Manage and hold suppliers and third parties accountable for their service delivery, ensuring operational standards are met at all times.
• Support the execution of strategic and operational projects, owning the delivery of key initiatives assigned to you.
• Work closely with department managers and Duty Managers to ensure consistent adherence to resource planning, equipment availability, and operational best practices.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, performance accountability, and operational excellence across all business units.
• Manage and coach direct reports and enable them to become strong operational decision makers.
Experience & Qualification
• Proven experience in a senior operational role within a complex, regulated, and time-sensitive environment (aviation, logistics, or transport sectors preferred).
• Strong knowledge of HSE and preferably aviation security regulations.
• Exceptional decision-making, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and motivate cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience in managing high-pressure operational environments and leading teams through disruption and recovery scenarios.
• Experience in supplier and stakeholder management.
• Flexible and resilient with a shift-based mindset and the ability to lead across all hours of operation.
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