Resource Planning Specialist, dnata Catering & Retail

Job Purpose

dnata is more than a global air and travel services provider. We connect people with possibilities and opportunities across 130+ airports in 34 countries through ground handling, cargo, travel, and catering & retail services. Our purpose is clear: to deliver on the promises our customers make. We are powered by a bold vision to be the world’s most admired air and travel services provider, which guides our strategy, culture, and every role across our teams. Our core values fuel everything we do: we are safe, we play to win, we respect everyone and work together as a team, and we are future thinking. At dnata, we foster diversity, nurture ambition, and celebrate achievement. If you're inspired by purpose and motivated to be part of a global team shaping the future of aviation and travel, we’d love to have you onboard.

As a Resource Planning & Rostering Specialist you will be responsible to develop, analyse and maintain medium and short-term plan (staff and equipment) & rosters for the assigned business area in line with business plans, strategy & Service Level Agreement (SLA).

You will apply statistical and optimisation methods to develop and interpret scenarios that supports management with decision making and strategic policy formulation to serve customer airlines in an innovative & cost- effective manner. This is a full-time role based in our Dubai office and will involve frequent business travel to various dnata stations globally.

In this role, you will:

• Facilitate all the activities relating to the manpower and equipment budgets in the various departments of the business area and overseas Joint Venture Companies, during the annual budget process.
  
• Conceptualise,
  
  develop, and empower line managers on resource deployment rules keeping in view business plans, strategy & specific service level agreements with customer airlines.
  
  Transform/mode
  
  l these rules in the resource management system.
  
• Formulate and apply mathematical modelling & statistical analysis and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret What-if scenarios. Recommend the impact on resources and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in line with business operating strategy to the business units. Challenge where required to optimise the resource plans for increased efficiencies.
  
• Influence and interact with process owners and department heads for effective implementation of redesigned rules and processes.
  
• Train and develop line management personnel on tools and techniques used by resource planning team, with specific reference to planning and allocation of resource to optimize efficiency and productivity.
  
• Plan, lead, organise, and facilitate project teams to improve engagement standards for all business units across the business in conjunction with other functions in Business Support.
  
• Maintain engagement standards for all departments and continuously monitors and updates standards via OSOBR (One set of Business Rule) process. Share full analysis and matrix on engagement standards, utilisation and other parameters with Finance for airline profitability exercise.
  

Qualification

To be considered for the role, you must meet the below requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in fields related to Resource management and scheduling, including Business Process Reengineering (BPR), Method Study, Work Measurement, operations Research.
• System user on INFORM suite.
• Strong analytical ability with diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced communication (written and verbal) and negotiation skills.
• Systematic documentation of project reports/systems and processes.
• Advanced MS Office and Excel skills
Experience working on Power BI

You will have an edge, if you have:

• Proven experience in airline catering, airport operations, logistics, or other high‑volume 24/7 operational environments, with a strong understanding of operational constraints, service‑level agreements, regulatory requirements, and fluctuating demand dynamics.
• Hands‑on expertise in workforce optimisation, from capacity planning and demand forecasting to day of operations.
• Demonstrated ability to define workforce engagement standards, design, implement, and continuously optimise multi‑shift, multi‑skill rosters in complex operational settings.
• Proven track record on workforce management and rostering systems (such as SPX, Plano, Workforce Plus, or equivalent platforms).
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally.

At dnata part of Emirates Group were committed to providing our employees with opportunities to grow and develop in their careers So if youre looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity apply today and join our team.


Recruitment Process and Timeline


dnata part of Emirates Group is an international organisation with employees from over 170 nationalities we encourage applications from across the globe Your application journey begins by applying via our Careers website Please ensure your CV is up to date for our talent acquisition team to review your profile If you meet the criteria of the role you will then be invited to complete a HireVue video interview to share more about your experience and your career aspirations If you are shortlisted you will then be invited to interview with our hiring managers If you are successful your recruiter will reach out to you with an offer and then our Onboarding team will ensure a smooth transition to your new role.

Salary & benefits

Join us in a management role and enjoy an attractive tax-free salary. On top of our generous travel benefits, including discounted flights and hotel stays around the world, this managerial role also has an excellent leave and healthcare package. That’s on top of transport benefits, life insurance and more. Find out what it’s like to live and work in our fast-paced, cosmopolitan home city in the Dubai Lifestyle section of our website [1] www.emirates.com/careers