Airline Ramp Duty Manager, RDU

About the Role

The Ramp Duty Manager directs personnel within Ramp Services, oversees staffing, monitors discipline and corrective action, ensures customer satisfaction, and acts as a liaison between first-level leadership and upper management. This role proactively monitors employee performance to meet or exceed standards for safety, security, quality, and employee relations while maintaining compliance with corporate security programs and TSA legislation.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, directs, and participates in Ramp/Ground Service operations for commercial and charter flights, including security screening, baggage transfers, aircraft deicing, cleaning, lavatory services, security searches, and aircraft power unit hookups.
• Directs and trains Ground Operations Agents, including new employee and ongoing in-service training (monthly compliance and yearly safety training), and maintains required training records.
• Implements departmental policy for Ramp/Ground Service operations, advising Lead Agents on policy issues and recommending operational improvements.
• Coordinates Ramp Service activities with air carrier personnel, station managers, and TSA representatives for the assigned shift.
• Operates and ensures maintenance of ground equipment (e.g., baggage tugs, belt loaders, lavatory carts, air starts, towbars).
• Ensures compliance with FAA and TSA security regulations, airline corporate rules, and directives, implementing operational changes as required.
• Attends regular and as-needed meetings, maintains emergency checklists and supplies, and prepares/submits verbal and written reports on ground service activities.
• Handles business-related responsibilities such as billing, payment data updates, cash handling, and supply ordering.

Requirements

• Two to five years of management or supervisory experience in ramp service duties.
• Independent judgment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with personal computer software and Microsoft Suite.
• Airline ramp services experience; college degree or equivalent experience.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English fluently.
• Ability to lift 70 lbs and perform physically demanding tasks (e.g., bending, squatting, kneeling, crawling).
• Open availability to work various shifts, including swing, graveyard, weekends, and holidays.
• Valid Driver’s License; must obtain and maintain a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO) certificate and Ground Security Coordinator certificate (for aircraft over 61 seats) within the probationary period.
• Must pass a background investigation (fingerprint-based criminal records check) and periodic random drug testing as required for safety-sensitive employees.

Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business documents, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Effective presentation and communication skills for groups, managers, clients, and customers.
• Problem-solving: define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Interpret instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Professionalism, teamwork, conflict resolution, and creative problem-solving.
• Composure under stress, adaptability to change, and sensitivity to others’ needs.
• Self-motivation, persistence, and attention to detail.

Physical Demands

• Must carry a 70-pound suitcase from the floor and in front of you with both hands for a distance.
• Physical dexterity to perform repetitive tasks (bending, squatting, kneeling, crawling, twisting) for extended periods.
• Sufficient vision and ability to safely perform essential job functions.

Work Environment

• Works both indoors and outdoors with exposure to extreme weather, dust, pollen, noise, strong odors, fumes, and poor lighting (night shifts).
• Subject to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and toxic waste hazards associated with aircraft, vehicles, equipment, and fuel.
• Possible exposure to disease due to aircraft lavatory work.
• Subject to emergency call-in.