Station Manager, dnata Cologne

dnata is one of the world’s largest air and travel services providers; offering ground handling, cargo, travel and catering & retail services at over 130 airports in more than 30 countries across six continents. At dnata, we are by your side for the entire travel experience. 

Located at Cologne/Bonn Airport, dnata Germany operates from a 12,000  square metre footprint with direct access to the apron leading to the security area. We manage Cargo Handling, Cargo Documentation Handling, Storage & Warehousing and Aviation Security Services. 

As a Station Manager, you will lead the Import and Export activities of Cargo Operations in Cologne to ensure departments contractual obligations and service delivery objectives are met while ensuring safety of operations and controlling capital and cost budget. In addition you will be supporting the Managing Director with all Commercial & sales related activities. 

In this role, you will

Focus on results

• Strategy Involvement: Translate business strategy into operational and commercial strategies and business goals locally. Lead and direct the operations function ensuring achievement of station performance & objective. 


• Planning horizon and integration of directions:  Maintain an understanding of what is happening across the business and market conditions in relation to pricing and competitor activity. Oversee, coordinate, and integrate operational and commercial/ sales activities to ensure the achievement of dnata Cargo GmbHs KPIs.


• Policy & Procedures:  Develop and ensure implementation of business policies, procedures and controls in dnata Cargo GmbHs operation to ensure procedural/legislative requirements are fulfilled.  


• Financial Management: Accountable for the preparation and consolidation of the operations budget, monitoring financial performance against set budgets to ensure delivery against the set targets.  


• Continuous Improvement: Drive change through continuous improvement of systems, processes and practices within the ops remit to maximise efficiencies in line with agreed targets.  Lead in the execution and implementation of new technology and change projects in the cargo area in collaboration with the IT Manager/Customs & Cargo Operations Manager, Project Specialist and Operations Performance Manager.


• Problem Solving: Effectively balance short term and long-term considerations when dealing with problems relevant to the commercial & operations. Apply judgement to generate solutions, seek new facts and look beyond previous solutions to business problems.  Recommend and implement solutions following appropriate consultation with management.


• Governance & Controls: Responsible for ensuring compliance of the required standards as set in ‘The dnata way’ and local legislations are successfully met in all dealings pertaining to operational and commercial activities. Responsible for liaising with external regulatory authorities on all matters.


• Risk awareness and responsibility: Act in the best interest of the company at all times, ensure business decisions are made based on authority level limits and after the appropriate level of due diligence, risk analysis and consultation/approval of Line Manager have been carried out. 


• Customers: Build and strengthen relationships with clients and external stakeholders (including the airport) to foster revenue growth opportunities. Identify and develop new customer segments (e.g. road feeders, offline activities, new customers). Carry out sales and other commercial activities including tonnage and to achieve company targets in terms of sales, tonnage and revenue and revenue agreements with new and existing customer. Representing dnata at all VACAD meetings.

Focus  on people

• VMV: Drive the dnata Vision, Mission and Values in the business and models the behaviours and intent of the VMV’s in all people practices. 


• Managing Performance: Set clear and measurable objectives for direct reports at unit/department level on an annual basis in line with the vision of the top executive leaders. Drives performance accountability and enables the team to achieve through appropriate support and resourcing.


• Reward & Recognition: Drive a high-performance culture (in line with the ‘The dnata way’ limits) and effectively utilises the organization’s reward and recognition initiatives.


• Talent Management: Work with local HR to ensure effective Talent Management and Succession Planning are in place to mitigate the risks of skills gaps. 


• Safety: Lead with safety as a priority, ensuring all decisions are made with safety in mind. Role model safety behaviours and hold direct reports accountable for implementing and maintaining safety policies in the workplace that are in line with dnata’s safety rules and best practice.


• Behaviour: Act as a role model for the team and wider organisation in all people, customers, and external parties’ interactions. 

To be considered for the role, you must meet the below requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and 8 + years experience in an operational role in the cargo handling and or airport operations industry or similar


• Fluency in German and English, spoken and written


• Experience of negotiating complex, long term high value business contracts


• Proficient knowledge in sales methodologies/disciplines

You’ll have an edge if you have

• Experience of managing an IT function 


• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal and demonstrated ability to communicate and influence both internal and external stakeholders


• Ability to build and foster strong relationships with customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders (including the airport) in the industry


• Demonstrated ability managing diversity in client and workforce relationships


• Agility in business thinking

At dnata, part of Emirates Group, we’re committed to providing our employees with opportunities to grow and develop in their careers. So if you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity, apply today and join our team!

Recruitment Process and Timeline

dnata, part of Emirates Group, is an international organisation with employees from over 170 nationalities, we encourage applications from across the globe. Your application journey begins by applying via the Emirates Group Careers website. Please ensure your CV is up to date for our talent acquisition team to review your profile. If you meet the criteria of the role, you will then be invited to complete a HireVue video interview, to share more about your product experience and your career aspirations. If you are shortlisted you will then be invited to interview with our hiring managers. If you are successful, your recruiter will reach out to you with an offer and then our Onboarding team will ensure a smooth transition to your new role at Emirates Group