General Manager (GM) – Air Cargo Terminal (Kenya)

General Manager – Air Cargo Terminal

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

PLEASE READ THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION BEFORE APPLYING. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DISQUALIFIED.

Please note: This is a senior operational leadership position requiring substantial, current experience within air cargo, airport cargo operations, ground handling, aviation logistics, freight forwarding or closely related complex logistics operations.

Candidates whose experience is primarily general management outside aviation/logistics, or who cannot demonstrate leadership of complex, high-volume and time-critical logistics operations, will not be progressed.

Direct air cargo terminal experience is particularly desirable. However, we also welcome applications from exceptional senior logistics operations leaders whose experience is demonstrably relevant to the scale, complexity, commercial responsibility and regulated operating environment of this position.

About the Opportunity

Our client is an established East African logistics organisation seeking an experienced General Manager – Air Cargo Terminal to lead a major air cargo operation based at Nairobi, Kenya.

This is a significant operational and commercial leadership appointment with responsibility for the overall performance of the terminal, encompassing operations, commercial growth, financial performance, safety and security, regulatory compliance, customer experience, people leadership and continuous improvement.

The terminal handles import, export and transit cargo within a fast-moving aviation environment and works closely with airlines, freight forwarders, cargo agents, ground handlers, airport authorities, customs and other aviation and logistics stakeholders.

The successful candidate will combine deep operational credibility with strong commercial and leadership capability. We are looking for someone who understands how a high-performing cargo operation works on the ground but can equally operate at General Manager level: setting strategy, managing P&L and budgets, developing major stakeholder relationships, improving operational performance, growing cargo volumes and revenue, and leading sizeable teams.

Candidates currently based in Kenya are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications from suitably qualified international candidates who are willing and able to relocate to Kenya without requiring relocation or immigration support from the client will also be considered.

IMPORTANT – AIRPORT SECURITY CLEARANCE

This role is based within an airport/air cargo environment. The successful candidate will therefore be required to successfully complete all applicable background screening, enhanced security clearance and airport access requirements before and/or as a condition of appointment.

Candidates should only apply if they are willing and able to undergo the required background and security checks. Any appointment will be subject to satisfactory completion of the relevant screening and clearance processes.

Application Process & Mandatory Questions

As part of your application, please answer ALL five questions below within your covering letter/note. Applications that do not answer all questions will not be progressed.

1. Relevant Industry Experience
Please confirm the number of years of experience you have within air cargo, airport cargo operations, air cargo terminals, ground handling, aviation logistics, freight forwarding and/or other directly relevant logistics operations. Please briefly identify your primary area of expertise.

2. Senior Leadership, Operational & Commercial Experience
Please briefly describe the largest or most complex cargo, aviation or logistics operation you have personally led, including your level of accountability, approximate team size and the nature/scale of the operation. Please also summarise your responsibility for operational KPIs, budgets/P&L, commercial growth, safety/compliance and people leadership, including one or two measurable results you personally delivered.

3. Air Cargo Operations & Stakeholder Experience
Please briefly summarise your direct experience of air cargo, airport cargo or closely related operations and your experience working with airlines, airport authorities, customs, regulators, freight forwarders, ground handlers and/or other aviation stakeholders. Where relevant, please include experience with cargo acceptance and release, import/export/transit cargo, ULD operations, cargo security, perishables, pharmaceuticals, temperature-controlled cargo or Dangerous Goods.

4. Operational Improvement
Please provide one recent example of a significant operational or commercial improvement you personally led within an air cargo, aviation or complex logistics environment. What was the challenge, what did you do, and what measurable result did you achieve?

5. Kenya, Availability & Compensation
Please confirm:

• That you are able to work in Kenya without restriction.
• If you are not currently based in Kenya, that you are willing and able to relocate to Kenya without requiring relocation or immigration support from the client.
• Your earliest possible start date.
• Your required gross monthly compensation in USD.

Please provide a specific compensation figure or range. Responses such as "negotiable", "market rate", or "what is the budget?" will result in automatic disqualification.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of Air Cargo Terminal operations.
• Ensure efficient cargo acceptance, documentation, screening, storage, handling, build-up, break-down, dispatch and release across import, export and transit operations.
• Drive high standards of cargo identification, tracking, inventory control, physical security and operational integrity.
• Monitor and improve critical operational measures including cargo throughput, dwell and turnaround times, warehouse capacity, equipment availability and productivity.
• Ensure effective management of ULDs, cargo-handling equipment, infrastructure and supporting operational systems.
• Maintain robust operational contingency arrangements for flight disruption, equipment failure, systems outages and other business-critical events.

Safety, Security & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain a strong safety, security and compliance culture throughout the terminal.
• Ensure operations meet applicable aviation, airport, customs, security and occupational safety requirements.
• Maintain appropriate controls for cargo screening, restricted-area access and secure cargo handling.
• Ensure appropriate investigation and corrective action following incidents, near misses, cargo loss/damage or security events.
• Maintain robust emergency response, business continuity and operational risk-management arrangements.
• Ensure appropriate standards for Dangerous Goods and specialist cargo operations.

Financial & Commercial Performance

• Own and manage the terminal operating budget and cost performance.
• Drive cargo-volume and revenue growth through capacity optimisation, customer development, disciplined pricing and value-added services.
• Improve profitability, operational efficiency and revenue assurance.
• Support and lead commercial engagement with airlines, freight forwarders and major customers, including tenders, negotiations, pricing and service-level agreements.
• Identify opportunities within higher-value cargo segments, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, temperature-sensitive, high-value and time-critical cargo.
• Ensure commercial decisions support sustainable margins and long-term customer value.

Customer & Stakeholder Leadership

• Build trusted senior relationships across airlines, freight forwarders, cargo agents, airport authorities, customs, regulators, ground handlers, security agencies and other key stakeholders.
• Act as a senior escalation point for strategically important customers and service issues.
• Ensure customer SLAs and operational KPIs are consistently achieved or exceeded.
• Drive strong customer satisfaction, retention and service recovery.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop managers, supervisors and operational teams.
• Build a culture of accountability, safety, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Ensure appropriate workforce capability, succession planning, training and regulatory competency.
• Drive strong performance management and leadership standards throughout the operation.

Strategy, Growth & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to and execute the organisation's air cargo and terminal strategy.
• Identify opportunities to increase market share, cargo volumes, revenue and profitability.
• Lead process optimisation, automation, technology adoption and improved digital cargo visibility.
• Benchmark performance against strong regional and international cargo operations.
• Develop strategic relationships and partnerships capable of strengthening the terminal's long-term commercial position.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The strongest candidates are likely to demonstrate:

• 8–10+ years' relevant experience across air cargo, airport cargo operations, ground handling, aviation logistics, freight forwarding, warehousing or closely related logistics operations.
• At least five years' senior management or operational leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of air cargo and/or airport operations.
• Demonstrable experience leading large teams and complex, high-volume, time-critical operations.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including operational budget and/or P&L responsibility.
• Evidence of improving operational performance and delivering measurable results.
• Experience working with airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers, airport authorities and/or aviation regulators.
• Strong knowledge of safety, security, compliance and operational risk within a regulated environment.
• Proven senior stakeholder-management capability.
• Experience supporting commercial growth, customer acquisition, revenue growth or increased operational volumes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capability.
• Confidence operating in a demanding environment where operational reliability, customer service, safety and commercial performance must be delivered simultaneously.
• High levels of integrity, discipline and accountability.
• Strong digital and data capability and an openness to automation and technology-led operational improvement.

A Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Air Transport Management, Airport Operations, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transport Management, Business Administration, Engineering or a related discipline is required.

Professional qualifications or training in air cargo operations, IATA cargo handling, aviation security, Dangerous Goods, ground handling or related areas are advantageous.

On Offer

• Competitive executive compensation commensurate with experience.
• A senior leadership opportunity within an established East African logistics organisation.
• Responsibility for a significant and complex air cargo operation.
• Substantial operational, commercial and strategic accountability.
• Opportunity to drive growth, performance improvement and the future development of the Air Cargo Terminal.
• High-level engagement across the airline, aviation, freight and logistics ecosystem.