VP Operations France

Who we are

Headquartered in Singapore, SATS Ltd. is one of the world’s largest providers of air cargo handling services and Asia’s leading airline caterer.

SATS Gateway Services provides airfreight and ground handling services including passenger services, ramp and baggage handling, aviation security services, aircraft cleaning and aviation laundry.

SATS Food Solutions serves airlines, institutions, and operates central kitchens with large-scale food production and distribution capabilities for a wide range of cuisines.

SATS is present in the Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, powering an interconnected world of trade, travel and taste.

Following the acquisition of Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) in 2023, the combined SATS and WFS network operates over 215 stations in 27 countries.

These cover trade routes responsible for more than 50% of global air cargo volume.

SATS has been listed on the Singapore Exchange since May 2000.

• For more information, please visit www. sats. com. sg
• Purpose of the Role

Ensures the safe, efficient and profitable operation of all activities across France through visible, hands-on operational leadership.

Accountable for operational performance, health, safety, security, customer satisfaction, resource management, operational standards and the successful delivery of sustainable operational transformation.

Maintains a strong presence across all operational sites, working alongside local leadership teams to drive performance, coach leaders, build relationships with frontline teams and embed a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.

• Member of the France Executive Committee.
• Functional leadership of the Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environment (QHSSE) and Operational Excellence teams

Key Responsibilities

Business Performance and Operational Management

In close collaboration with the Managing Director, France

• Champions workplace and aviation safety as the highest operational priority, fostering a proactive safety culture and ensuring the highest standards of Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environment (QHSSE) are consistently demonstrated across all operations.
• Defines and delivers the national operations strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and long-term growth.
• Accountable for the operational and financial performance of the French operation, including budget delivery and business performance.
• Leads operational transformation by embedding Lean, Six Sigma, Shop Floor Management and Performance Management disciplines to improve safety, productivity, quality and customer service.
• Maintains a strong presence across operational sites, working alongside local leadership teams to identify opportunities, remove barriers and ensure consistent execution of operational standards.
• Drives continuous improvement through data-led decision making, operational governance and investment in people, processes and technology.
• People Management
• Creates a culture of accountability, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Leads, develops and coaches the operations leadership team, building capability and driving high performance.
• Maintains a visible, hands-on leadership style through regular site visits, embracing Gemba and building strong relationships with frontline teams.
• Drives organisational transformation, workforce capability and talent development in partnership with Human Resources.
• Ensures compliance with labour legislation, Group HR policies and all mandatory training requirements.
• Safety, Security and Compliance
• Accountable for Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environment (QHSSE) performance across the French operation.
• Champions a proactive safety culture, embedding compliance and operational discipline across all sites.
• Regularly engages with operational teams to verify standards, identify risks and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensures operational risks are effectively identified, managed and mitigated.
• Customer Relations
• In close collaboration with the Managing Director France and Sales teams:
• Ensures the consistent delivery of customer service and operational excellence across all locations.
• Maintains strong customer relationships and ensures compliance with all commercial agreements, including SGHAs and SLAs.
• Supports business growth by providing operational expertise for customer solutions and commercial tenders.
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives that enhance customer satisfaction and operational performance.
• Job Requirements

Education

• Master's degree (Bac+5) in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business School, or equivalent
• Language
• Fluent English & French is essential.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years' experience in a senior operational leadership role within transportation, logistics, ground handling or air cargo in an international environment.
• Proven experience leading large, complex multi-site operations.
• Strong experience managing significant P&L responsibility.
• Demonstrated success leading operational transformation programmes across complex organisations.
• Proven track record implementing Lean methodologies, Six Sigma, Performance Management and Shop Floor Management to deliver measurable improvements in operational performance.
• Demonstrated experience leading through a highly visible, hands-on management style, spending significant time within operational environments coaching leaders and driving performance.
• Experience operating within highly regulated environments.
• Proven ability to lead, inspire and develop large operational teams while creating a high-performance culture.
• Demonstrates a highly visible, hands-on leadership style with a passion for spending time in the operation rather than behind a desk.
• Builds credibility through regular engagement with warehouse teams, supervisors and local management, using first-hand observation to coach, challenge and continuously improve operational performance.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt leadership style to different business situations while maintaining accountability and operational excellence.
• Strong negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent analytical capability with sound commercial judgement and confident decision making.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build credibility across executive leadership teams and frontline operations.
• Proven ability to make difficult decisions, prioritise effectively and maintain direction in demanding operational environments.
• Leads by example and embodies the Group's values.
• Strong track record of leading organisational transformation and embedding sustainable change.
• Recognised expertise in Lean methodologies, Six Sigma, Performance Management and Shop Floor Management, delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, safety and customer outcomes.
• Results-oriented, commercially focused and customer-centric.
• Core Values

We have 5 core People Values at SATS.

• Safety: Safety – its ingrained in our DNA
• Customer Focus: Every smile is a win for us

Respect: We strive to listen, understand and respect.

Excellence: Excellence isn’t just a goal, it’s the SATS way.

Teamwork: We don’t just collaborate. We amplify each other’s strengths.

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