General Manager at DHL

PLEASE NOTE: The role is based within an airport. You will be required to undergo a security/background check if you are to be successful for this position.

As General Manager at Heathrow, you will lead one of DHL Supply Chain's most complex and high‑profile aviation operations. You will be responsible for directing day‑to‑day site performance, ensuring safety, compliance and operational excellence across a large and diverse workforce. This role requires strong leadership, decisive operational judgement and the ability to navigate a highly regulated, unionised environment while driving continuous improvement and long‑term, sustainable performance. It is a flagship leadership opportunity within DHL Supply Chain, offering both challenge and significant influence.

A TYPICAL DAY MAY INVOLVE

• Leading a large aviation workforce in a highly unionised, fast‑moving airside environment, ensuring safe, secure and compliant operations in line with CAA and HAL requirements.
• Managing the end‑to‑end operation with full accountability for safety, punctuality, SLA delivery and operational resilience.
• Coordinating daily operations with key airport authorities and internal stakeholders to maintain high performance standards and resolve operational challenges.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation and change initiatives to enhance service quality, efficiency and colleague engagement.
• Monitoring and managing performance metrics, operational risks, resource levels and compliance across a complex, 24/7 operation.
• Providing visible leadership across large and diverse teams, ensuring strong communication, coaching, talent development and a positive working environment.

THIS ROLE WOULD SUIT PEOPLE WHO

• Bring significant aviation operations experience, and excel in highly complex, high‑pressure airport environments where safety, performance and compliance are non‑negotiables.
• Have a proven track record leading large operational teams within a unionised environment, building constructive relationships, fostering trust and delivering results through people.
• Are decisive and calm under pressure, able to analyse situations quickly and make confident operational decisions in fast‑moving, time‑critical scenarios.
• Are passionate about continuous improvement, with the ability to identify opportunities, challenge established ways of working and drive more efficient, consistent and future‑ready operations.
• Communicate with authority and credibility, effectively influencing at all levels and engaging a wide range of internal stakeholders in a highly regulated aviation setting.
• Lead with resilience, empathy and clarity, creating stability and direction during periods of change, operational disruption or heightened demand.

SECURITY PROCESS TO WORK WITHIN AVIATION AND TRAVEL AT DHL

To obtain a full airside ID, you must:

• Be able to provide five years' address history
• Be able to provide five years' reference history (employment/education/benefit claim/character)
• Pass a pre-employment Drug and Alcohol test

WHY JOIN US?

• Access to the company car scheme, or car allowance
• Join our generous pension scheme and benefit from an 8% employer contribution, alongside a 4% employee contribution
• Free confidential 24/7 GP consultations
• Hundreds of retail and lifestyle discounts
• Affordable loans, savings schemes and free mortgage advice