Station Manager - Bristol Airport

Optime Group are proud to recruiting Station Manager to lead the Aircraft cleaning operation at Bristol Airport.

This is a senior, accountable leadership position with full responsibility for the day-to day and strategic delivery of aircraft cleaning services across the Bristol Airport. You will lead a large, diverse workforce in a fast paced environment shaped by seasonal peaks, early morning departures, and operational resilience requirements.

The role requires a visible, credible leader who understands the unique operational rhythms of Bristol Airport, balancing passenger experience with regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities Operational Delivery

• Ensure daily operations run safely, on time, and to standard.
• Lead the shift rhythm: briefs, handovers, checks, and end-of-shift reporting.
• Maintain full compliance with airline SLAs and quality expectations.
• Complete weekly hoover/vacuum counts and equipment checks.
• Oversee water bowser operations, including sterilisation ownership and documentation.
• Monitor and action extended work (deep cleans, exteriors, flight deck, etc.).
• Ensure the metal end is fully secured into the bunker.

People & Team Management

• Hold weekly staff attendance reviews and address patterns early.
• Deliver ongoing performance management and tackle underperformance quickly.
• Build monthly training plans and keep mandatory training fully up to date.
• Conduct skills gap analysis and create targeted development plans.
• Maintain a 1 month forward looking training schedule.
• Oversee recruitment needs and support onboarding for new starters.

Customer Liaison

• Act as the first point of contact for all local airline partners.
• Attend washups, performance reviews, and daily operational calls.
• Provide clear updates on issues, action plans, and follow through.
• Build strong relationships with airline duty managers and turnaround teams.
• Handle customer escalations and close the loop with documented actions.

Commercial & Finance

• Track fleet repair costs by vehicle, including repair type and frequency.
• Manage wage to revenue performance and control overtime usage.
• Ensure correct revenue capture on all flights (no misses).
• Build and maintain an ADP plan aligned with seasonal changes.
• Maintain strong cost control through balanced deployment and roster discipline.
• Create a stores "best ordering practice" guide and monitor weekly spend.

Quality & Compliance

• Oversee all QC checks and ensure 100% night stop aircraft checks are completed.
• Maintain full compliance with security, safety, and training standards.
• Ensure water bowser sterilisation logs and driver training are up to date.
• Lead monthly EHS&S and safety walks with follow up actions.
• Ensure all vehicles and equipment have valid inspections.

Planning & Administration

• Lead demand vs supply planning: day, week, and month ahead.
• Keep rosters clean, with only active and available staff included.
• Review Kronos reports weekly and ensure hours stay on target.
• Maintain accurate station dashboards, trackers, and Smartsheet updates.
• Ensure mandatory reports are submitted on time.

Leadership

• Set high standards, lead visibly from the front, and build a positive culture.
• Encourage continuous improvement and drive best practice across the station.
• Support other stations when required and share lessons learned.
• Role model professionalism with customers, staff, and peers.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience leading operations in a fast paced, safety critical environment
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage performance, attendance, and team development
• Structured and detail focused, ensuring high standards and consistent service delivery
• Confident communicator, able to build relationships and manage airline stakeholders effectively
• Comfortable handling escalations and driving issues through to resolution
• Commercially aware, with experience managing labour, costs, and revenue capture
• Strong understanding of safety, compliance, and operational best practice
• Proactive and forward thinking, with a focus on continuous improvement

Desirable

• Experience at any UK/international airports
• Background in delivering security services on a large scale

What's on Offer

• £45,000 basic annual salary, increasing to £50,000 annual salary after 6 months.
• Performance related bonus of £10,000.
• Senior leadership role at Bristol Airport
• Opportunity to lead and shape a high profile aviation security operation
• Relocation applicants are welcome and will be considered

PLEASE NOTE

As this position is in the aviation industry, successful applicants must be able to provide a 5 year checkable history.