Resource Planning Manager (Ground Operations)

Brussels Airlines

Brussels, Belgium

Purpose of the position

The Resource Planning Manager Ground Services manages the resource planning cycle for all BRU-based ground services within Brussels Airlines as team lead, as well as leading the dispatch office for Pax Service/HCC/PRC. In doing so, he/she is responsible for making sure that operational staff needs are at all times covered, and that operational staff is utilized in the most effective and efficient manner.

Main tasks & responsibilities

Determination of FTE needs for all ground operational departments

Forecast the long-term and medium-term FTE needs given altering scenarios, based on changes in business requirements (network, flight schedule, product offering, etc.);
Monitor FTE fluctuation through time and provide proposals regarding required training and/or hiring needs;
Pro-actively keep abreast changes in social law and applicable labor rulings which might impact the long- to short-term planning, rostering and utilization of our workforce; Align with key stakeholders and interfaces (a.o. HR, IT, Health & Safety) on relevant topics;
Pro-actively remain informed on commercial and operational business decisions that might impact the long- to short-term planning, rostering and utilization of our workforce;

Manage the production of efficient and effective rosters for ground operational departments

Manage and oversee the creation of cyclical/monthly rosters for all BRU-based GOPS staff;
Make sure rosters are consistently published on time, with adequate notice time to staff, following made agreements;
Align with team leads and department heads to co-determine appropriate, effective staffing levels;
Determine and provide an optimal shift planning in coordination with team leads and rostering team;
Safeguard operational staffing needs, making sure all business requirements are met, whilst taking into account individual employment wishes;
Ensure that any license and training requirements are adequately rostered;
Plan and approve holiday slots.

Manage the day-to-day optimization of workforce planning, ensuring operational/business requirements are met

Manage the dispatch office for Pax Services/HCC/PRC on a day-to-day basis, making sure the operational staff is scheduled real time in the most efficient manner;
Manage the cost-efficient utilization and allocation of airport check-in desks and information screens;
Maintain regular communication with key stakeholders in the BRU airport community;
Find appropriate solutions in case of last-minute deviations from the plan/roster, such as changes in production plan/flight schedule or colleagues becoming indisposed.

IT Systems Management

Drive and follow up improvement projects to ensure that the most efficient procedures and technologies are applied;
Act as system administrator of the planning, rostering and dispatching applications, tools and affiliated interface connections;
Interact with the different systems providers and IT to coordinate and follow-up on the resolution of issues, development of new tools, and implementation of patches and upgrades.

Reporting

Actively track and report on changes in workforce costs and potential deviations from budgeted FTE targets, optimal contract mix, and/or optimal skill mix;
Actively track and report on workforce utilization and retention rates;
Monitor and report on deviations between made staff/work assumptions, scenarios and reality;
Seek operational optimization opportunities by cross-referencing workforce planning data with other business related data sets;
Make sure different stakeholders are properly informed on workforce planning and rostering topics. Investigate and report on related inquiries from a.o. works council (OR), trade union delegation (SD), body for health and safety (CPBW), management (SN/LHG).

People Management

Manage the rostering and dispatch department on a day-to-day basis;
Build a winning team that is focused on consistently delivering in a customer centric and solutions-oriented manner;
Motivate the rostering and dispatch agents to ensure that their competences, skills and expertise are used in the best possible manner;
Foster an informal learning environment; promoting knowledge sharing and skill development;
Build trust, cohesion and collective focus within and across the different teams;
Lead by example, during regular and irregular operations.

Your profile

Master’s Degree, preferably in a quantitative field (e.g. Business, Economics, Finance, Statistics);
Minimum 5 years’ experience in Business Analysis, Forecasting, Planning, Budgeting;
Experience as system administrator and with complex interlinked applications required;
Experience as a team lead or in a supervisory role required;
Experience with airline operations preferred;
Excellent analytical/numerical skills;
Ability to translate strategic vision into project plans and tangible time phased actions;
Ability to manage systems, applications and interfaces;
Fluency in English required, fluency in Dutch and French preferred;
Holistic mindset and able to work in a complex environment: able to prioritize, balancing a customer centric approach with a business and target-achieving mindset;
Process driven with a knack for spotting inefficiencies and implementing process optimizations;
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – rational and diplomatic;
Aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving;
Strong people manager: dynamic enthusiastic attitude that builds effective and motivated teams.