The Regional Manager, ULD Planning, is responsible for leading shift-based ULD planning, dispositioning, and operational coordination across Unilode’s global network. The role ensures timely decision-making, service reliability, and operational continuity through close collaboration with OCC Planning Supervisors, Customer Success teams, Airlines, and Ground Handlers during assigned duty windows. This individual serves as the central escalation point for shift operations and is accountable for ensuring service recovery, data integrity, and SOP compliance while mentoring the OCC team.
Key Responsibilities
Shift-Based Operational Leadership
Action-Oriented, Business Insight, Collaborate, Courage, Customer Focus, Develops Talent, Drive Results, Ensure Accountability, Financial Acumen
- Oversee global ULD planning and dispositioning during shift hours, ensuring optimal ULD allocation and high service levels.
- Serve as the first escalation point for shift-related issues across Data Processing, Planning, Special Service, and Short-term Leasing teams
- Monitor flight operations, ULD stock levels, and customer stations to detect imbalances or disruptions and initiate corrective action.
Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
Collaborate, Customer Focus, Drive Results, Ensure Accountability
- Engage with OCC stakeholders, Customer Success, Data Processing, Network Control, and IT to resolve urgent issues.
- Provide real-time support for new customer onboarding and ensure alignment with planning protocols.
- Coordinate and lead effective shift handovers; maintain accurate shift logs and action trackers.
Performance Monitoring and Issue Resolution
Business Insight, Drive Results, Ensure Accountability, Financial Acumen
- Analyse shift performance and operational exceptions; support root cause reviews and implement recovery actions.
- Identify and escalate system or data issues to relevant teams; ensure resolution is tracked and closed.
Asset Recovery and Network Optimisation
Action-Oriented, Collaborate, Courage, Drive Results
- Support ULD recovery actions in collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
- Contribute to interline repositioning efforts, pooling synergies, and flight network optimisation.
- Ensure all ULD planning complies with SOPs, safety guidelines, and customer agreements.
Team Leadership and Continuous Improvement
Collaborate, Develops Talent, Drive Results, Ensure Accountability
- Mentor junior planners and support a high-performance team culture during duty shifts.
- Assist with maintaining and updating planning SOPs, station summaries, and customer data.
- Recommend process improvements to enhance accuracy, agility, and team capability.
Our Values in Action:
- Be humble and curious – Encourage a learning mindset and seek to understand network complexities before acting.
- Inspire, empower and prosper – Lead by example, supporting the growth and performance of team members across shifts.
- Team up to be better – Collaborate with stakeholders and peers to ensure effective ULD recovery and planning execution.
- Be passionate about our customers – Champion service quality during every shift to meet and exceed customer expectations.
- Take ownership and get stuff done – Act promptly and decisively during disruptions to maintain continuity.
- Be eager to win – Strive to meet planning KPIs and maintain operational resilience.
- Build a better future – Recommend smarter ways of working, sharing shift insights to drive process improvement.
The Small Print
This role is vital in ensuring the 24/7 operational integrity of Unilode’s global ULD planning services. The Duty Manager must be confident in making real-time decisions under pressure, navigating disruptions, and engaging with global stakeholders during critical operational periods.
The successful candidate will demonstrate leadership, agility, and ownership. They must inspire and support team members while proactively identifying risks and driving resolution. Shift-based flexibility, strong communication, and a mindset for continuous improvement are critical. This document outlines the scope of the role, its alignment with Unilode’s competencies and values, and is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities.
Requirements:Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is desirable.
- Extensive professional experience in Aviation, Air Cargo, or ULD Planning.
- Proven experience in leadership, preferably in Network Planning.
- Strong project management experience.
- Demonstrated success in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; accuracy under pressure.
- Excellent English communication skills (verbal and written).
- Skilled in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Able to derive insight from data and present findings effectively.
- Strong organisational and team management skills.
- Flexible, adaptable, and self-motivated.
