Ramp Services Section Head

Job Specification:

• Lead and manage all Ramp Services section activities in compliance with regulations contained in ICAR 27, IATA AHM/IGOM.
• Plan and supervise aircraft turnaround operations, ensuring safe marshalling, loading/unloading, towing, and aircraft servicing (GHSP.SOP.045).
• Manage baggage and cargo handling operations including sorting, transport, loading/unloading, ULD management, and Dangerous Goods compliance per GHSP.SOP.040 and GHSP.SOP.015.
• Oversee aircraft services: external/internal cleaning, water/lavatory servicing, cabin heating/cooling, etc per GHSP.SOP.020.
• Supervise surface transport of crew, passengers (including PRMs and VIPs), and baggage per GHSP.SOP.030.
• Coordinate with OCC, Load Control, and Turnround Coordination to optimize on-time departure performance (OTP) per GHSP.SOP.03.
• Ensure all ramp personnel hold valid airside work permits and required competency certifications (GHSP.PER.020).
• Implement and maintain SMS elements for ramp operations (GHSP.SMS.005) and manage occurrence reporting within the stipulated regulatory framework (GHSP.REC.025).
• Develop, review, and enforce SOPs and contingency plans for all ramp services functions.
• Oversee GSE serviceability and coordinate maintenance scheduling to ensure operational availability (GHSP.EQP.005).
• Foster a strong safety culture, promote FOD prevention, just-culture reporting, and continuous improvement across the ramp.
• Prepare and manage the Ramp Services budget and provide periodic operational performance reports to the Head of Ground Handling Services.

Human & Technical Resources for Ramp Services

• Ensure the Ramp Services section is staffed with a sufficient number of qualified personnel to meet operational requirements, considering scope of services and flight schedules (GHSP.PER.005).
• Verify that all operational staff hold valid ground services work permits and that competency aligns with IATA requirements (GHSP.PER.020).
• Identify competency and training gaps; propose recruitment and refresher training plans; coordinate delivery with the Training & Development (TRAD) section (GHSP.TRNG.005).
• Mobilize ramp resources during IROPS, emergencies , or special assignments.
• Ensure the availability and serviceability of GSE, monitoring compliance with AHM 910, 913, and 973 standards (GHSP.EQP.005).
• Oversee the availability and condition of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all ramp personnel (GHSP.EQP.025).
• Coordinate with the Store & Inventory function to ensure adequate supplies and consumables for ramp operations.

Planning & Programmes for Ramp Services

• Develop, maintain, and enforce SOPs for all ramp services functions in alignment with ICAR 27 (GHSP.SOP.045, .040, .015, .020, .030, .035, .050) and IATA AHM/IGOM.
• Prepare and review annual operational plans, shift rosters, resource allocation plans, and contingency procedures for ramp services.
• Contribute to airport-wide operational planning, ORAT activities, capacity reviews, and seasonal operations adjustments.
• Develop and maintain FOD prevention programs, apron safety plans, and ramp safety audit schedules in coordination with the Safety & Quality Assurance (SAFQ) function.
• Plan and coordinate ramp emergency response procedures and drills in alignment with the Airport Emergency Plan (AEP).

Core Operational Activities

• Ramp Handling (GHSP.SOP.045): Supervise aircraft marshalling, parking, towing, engine starting support, loading/unloading, and communication with airside stakeholders.
• Baggage & Cargo Handling (GHSP.SOP.040 / .015): Manage baggage sorting, departure preparation, loading/unloading, transport to/from aircraft, mishandled baggage procedures, and Dangerous Goods compliance per IATA DGR.
• Aircraft Services (GHSP.SOP.020): Oversee external/internal cleaning, water and lavatory servicing, cabin temperature management, and associated operations.
• Surface Transport (GHSP.SOP.030): Manage transport of crew, passengers (including PRMs, VIPs, VVIPs), and baggage between aircraft and terminal.
• Coordinate with OCC, Load Control, and Turnround Coordination on all turnaround sequences to meet scheduled departure times.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with airline Ground Handling Agreements (GHAs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Manage aircraft ground damage prevention, ensuring correct positioning and use of ground equipment near aircraft.

Budget and Activity Planning

• Prepare the annual Ramp Services budget (CAPEX/OPEX) covering staffing, training, GSE maintenance and replacement, PPE, and safety-promotion activities.
• Monitor and control Ramp Services expenditures against the approved budget; identify variances and propose corrective measures to the HoD.
• Provide periodic reports to the HoD on operational performance, budget utilization, and KPI achievement.

QMS and EMS

• Support the Quality Assurance function in maintaining ramp services quality assurance processes aligned with the airport QMS and ICAR 27 (GHSP.QA.005), including audits, inspections, and corrective-action follow-up.
• Support internal and external quality audits of Ramp Services operations (including ISAGO where applicable) and ensure timely closure of non-conformances.
• Promote a culture of standardization, SOP compliance, and continuous improvement across the ramp team.
• Ensure environmental compliance: fuel spill prevention and response, waste disposal, and minimizing the environmental impact of GSE emissions and consumables.

Safety Management System (SMS)

• Implement and maintain SMS elements for Ramp Services in accordance with ICAR 27 (GHSP.SMS.005) and airport SMS framework.
• Manage the Ramp Services occurrence reporting system; ensure all reportable events are submitted and follow-up reports are completed per GHSP.REC.025.
• Coordinate with and support the Safety & Quality Assurance (SAFQ) function on incident investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective/preventive action implementation.
• Promote a just-culture environment, open safety reporting, and dissemination of lessons learned from incidents across Ramp Services personnel.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Airport/Aviation Management or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in ramp operations and ground handling, including at least 3–5 years in a management role management.
• Demonstrated experience managing IATA AHM/IGOM compliant ground handling operations
• Proven expertise in GSE management, ramp safety, and aircraft turnaround supervision
• Familiarity with Ground Handling regulatory requirements and compliance obligations
• Strong exposure to ORAT projects, airport openings, or large-scale operational transitions.

Computer Skills

• MS Office Suite
• Knowledge of AODB, RMS, OCC operational systems, and GSE maintenance management systems (Desirable)

Language Skills Solid knowledge and command of written and spoken English (essential) and Arabic (desirable).

Training Requirements

• Airside Safety & Ramp Safety Operations (Essential)
• SMS – Safety Management System (Essential)
• Human Factors (Essential)
• Dangerous Goods Regulations – IATA DGR (Essential)
• Emergency Response Plan (ERP) (Essential)
• FOD Prevention Program (Highly Desirable)
• Basic Load Control (Essential)
• IATA Ground Operations Management / IGOM (Desirable)
• Fuel Handling – JIG Standards Awareness (Desirable)