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 scle

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 5-year checkable history.

For an opportunity to interview for this fantastic role, please submit your CV to apply!

Optime Group is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.