Job Summary
Want to be part of something different? We’re looking for passionate aviation professionals to join our team at London Gatwick.
If you bring fresh ideas, a collaborative spirit, and a drive to innovate, we want to hear from you. At Red-handling UK, we encourage new ways of thinking, embrace change, and value those who challenge the status quo. Join a company that genuinely cares about its employees and customers — apply today and help shape the future of ground handling operations.
Job Purpose
The Station Planner is responsible for the day-to-day planning, allocation, and coordination of manpower resources across all operational departments within the station, including Ramp Operations, Flight Dispatch, Passenger Services, Baggage Hall Operations, and Aircraft Presentation.
Acting as the central resource planning function for the station, the role ensures that sufficient resources are allocated to meet operational requirements, flight schedules, service standards, and business objectives while maintaining safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
The Station Planner works closely with Service Performance Managers, departmental managers, Operations Control, airline customers, and airport stakeholders to manage daily resource requirements, respond to operational changes, and support the consistent delivery of operational performance across the station.
The role also supports longer-term workforce planning activities, including seasonal planning, forecasting, workforce readiness, and resource modelling.
Key Responsibilities
Planning and Resource Allocation
- Develop daily and weekly manpower plans across Ramp Operations, Flight Dispatch, Passenger Services, Baggage Hall Operations, and Aircraft Presentation.
- Allocate manpower resources across all operational departments in accordance with flight schedules, operational demand, customer requirements, and business priorities.
- Maintain ownership of the station-wide manpower plan, ensuring adequate resource coverage across all operational areas.
- Continuously monitor flight schedules, operational changes, and resource availability, adjusting allocations as required.
- Work closely with Service Performance Managers and departmental managers to manage resource requirements throughout the operational day.
- Identify staffing shortfalls, resource risks, and coverage gaps, implementing mitigation plans to minimise operational impact.
- Maximise workforce utilisation through effective planning and resource deployment.
- Ensure all resource allocations comply with competency, training, and operational requirements.
Operational Coordination
- Act as the central coordination point for manpower planning and allocation across the station.
- Liaise with Service Performance Managers, departmental managers, Operations Control, airline representatives, and airport stakeholders to ensure operational requirements are met.
- Communicate resource risks, staffing challenges, and operational impacts to station leadership teams.
- Support operational recovery during periods of disruption by reallocating resources to priority areas.
- Ensure resource deployment supports operational performance, customer service standards, and on-time performance targets.
Operational Analysis and Reporting
- Analyse planned versus actual manpower utilisation and identify areas for improvement.
- Produce regular reports on resource utilisation, overtime, productivity, absence levels, and operational performance.
- Monitor staffing trends and provide recommendations to improve workforce efficiency and resource effectiveness.
- Provide management teams with visibility of staffing risks, resource constraints, and operational impacts.
- Support data-driven decision-making through the provision of accurate planning information and performance analysis.
Seasonal Planning and Forecasting Support
- Support the development of seasonal manpower plans in line with forecast operational demand and airline schedules.
- Assist with workforce forecasting, resource modelling, and staffing reviews.
- Analyse historical trends, operational data, and forecast demand to support future planning decisions.
- Provide planning data to support recruitment, training, and workforce readiness activities.
- Support annual budgeting and labour planning activities as required.
Continuous Improvement
- Review planning processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, and resource utilisation.
- Support the development and enhancement of planning tools, forecasting models, and reporting mechanisms.
- Work collaboratively with operational departments to improve workforce flexibility and operational effectiveness.
- Contribute to business improvement initiatives focused on operational performance and cost efficiency.
- Promote best practices in workforce planning and resource management.
Compliance and Safety
- Ensure all resource allocations comply with company policies, airport regulations, employment legislation, and safety requirements.
- Support a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence.
- Ensure staffing levels remain appropriate to support safe and compliant operations.
- Promote adherence to all operational, safety, and security procedures.
Operational Support
- Provide planning support during operational disruptions, irregular operations, and contingency events.
- Support Service Performance Managers and operational leaders with workforce-related decision-making.
- Participate in operational planning meetings and performance reviews as required.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties aligned with organisational objectives and responsibilities.
Person Specification
Essential Skills and Experience
- Proven experience in workforce planning, operational planning, resource allocation, or manpower management.
- Experience working within a fast-paced operational environment, ideally within aviation, ground handling, logistics, or transport operations.
- Strong understanding of operational resource requirements across multiple departments.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including reporting, forecasting, and data analysis.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to make effective decisions in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
- Strong communication and stakeholder-management abilities.
- Experience producing operational reports and performance analysis.
- Ability to work collaboratively with managers and stakeholders across multiple operational functions.
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Previous experience within airport operations or ground handling.
- Knowledge of workforce management and resource planning systems.
- Experience supporting labour utilisation and productivity initiatives.
- Understanding of airport operational processes, service level agreements, and operational performance measures.
- Experience supporting seasonal planning and workforce forecasting activities.
Key Working Relationships
- Service Performance Managers
- Ramp Manager
- Dispatch Manager
- Passenger Services Manager
- Baggage Hall Unit Manager
- Aircraft Presentation Manager
- Operations Control
- Airline Customers
- Airport Stakeholders
Why Join Us?
- Play a key role in coordinating resources across the entire station operation.
- Work closely with operational leaders to drive performance and service excellence.
- Be part of a dynamic and fast-paced airport environment.
- Influence workforce planning, operational efficiency, and customer service delivery.
- Access opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Have you held a full Gatwick airside security pass either currently or in the past 5 years?
Experience:
- Planning / allocator: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
