Manager: Ground & Cargo Operations
Aviation, Travel
Minimum Requirements
- Grade 12 or Equivalent (Essential)
- Relevant degree/diploma (Essential); 10 years' Operational experience in a mid-sized organisation, of which, at least 3 years must have been in a Managerial role (Essential)
- Exposure to auditing practices (Essential). Personal Attributes: Professional
- High integrity
- Immaculate time keeping
- Safety-first mindset
- Accountability Resilience
- Empathy
- Patience
- Self-motivated
- Independent (able to work without supervision)
- Goal oriented
- Positive attitude
- Able to cope with changing workload priorities and pressure.
Responsibilities
- Assume responsibility for compliance with SACAA, IOSA and AOC requirements relating to ground handling and cargo operations
- Serve as the Dangerous Goods governance owner (or designated post-holder, if applicable)
- Ensure the implementation and maturity of the Safety Management System (SMS) within all operational areas
- Oversee internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and corrective action plans. Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks
- Maintain all regulatory documentation, manuals, and approvals
- Ensure incident, accident, and DG reporting is accurate, timely, and compliant with regulatory requirements
- Ensure safe, efficient, and consistent execution of all ground handling and cargo operations
- Monitor and improve OTP, turnaround performance, loading accuracy, and aircraft readiness
- Ensure the fleet of aircraft is correctly trimmed within the weight and balance criteria and envelope
- Oversee load control compliance, aircraft configuration accuracy, and documentation standards
- Ensure all aircraft are operated within approved weight, balance, and loading limitations
- Drive continuous operational improvement through data analysis, trend monitoring, and root cause investigations
- Implement corrective and preventive actions to address recurring operational issues
- Lead the end-to-end cargo operation, ensuring compliance with service level agreements, safety standards, and commercial objectives
- Monitor cargo weights, load planning, and personnel availability
- Oversee cargo manifest controls and reconciliation processes
- Manage cargo irregularities, claims, pilferage, and damage investigations
- Review and approve high-risk or exceptional cargo requests where applicable
- Oversee monthly cargo reporting, performance analysis, and trend tracking
- Drive optimisation of cargo revenue within safety and operational constraints
- Manage relevant/applicable ground handling and cargo service providers
- Establish and enforce SLAs, KPls, and performance. Conduct regular performance reviews with service providers
- Lead contract negotiations, renewals, and compliance monitoring
- Ensure service providers meet training, safety, and regulatory standards
- Escalate and resolve contractual breaches or safety concerns
- Drive cost optimisation without compromising safety or service quality
- Monitor staff within the Cargo Operations and service providers receive required regulatory and safety training
- Oversee COMAIL, COMAT, DG, SMS, and procedural training
- Ensure manuals, SOPs, and operational documentation remain current and compliant. Implement training interventions following audit findings, incidents, or regulatory changes
- Participate in regular catering and performance review meetings with service providers
- Oversee and ensure the effectiveness of processes for the collection, repair, and return of catering equipment, in line with defined serviceability standards
- Procure catering equipment that is reliable, compliant, and operationally fit for purpose
- Authorise vendor evaluations or changes to ensure cost-effectiveness and service quality
- Identify and address systemic equipment issues or service provider performance concerns through structured escalation and corrective action processes
- Manage costs within the department
- Monitor cost drivers and implement efficiency initiatives
- Approve expenditure related to equipment, training, and operational support
- Forecast resource requirements based on network demand and seasonal fluctuations
- Ensure responsible use of operational assets and equipment
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team. Identify skills gaps and implement targeted development plans
- Ensure succession planning for key operational roles
- Partner with Flight Operations, Safety, Quality, Training, Engineering, and Commercial teams
- Serve as a subject matter expert for all ground and cargo-related matters
- Represent the organisation in regulatory, industry, and supplier forums
- Provide regular reports and insights to executive leadership.
