Aircraft cargo operations coordinator

Aircraft cargo operations coordinators direct and coordinate air transport terminal cargo and ramp activities. They review data on incoming flights as to plan the working activities. They direct preparation of loading plans for each departing flight and confer with supervisory personnel to ensure workers and equipment are available for air cargo and baggage loading, unloading, and handling activities.

The following job titles also refer to aircraft cargo operations coordinator:

aircraft cargo operations and ramp services co-ordinator
air freight coordinator
coordinator of aircraft cargo operations
air cargo traffic officer
air freight operations officer
co-ordinator of aircraft cargo operations
aircraft cargo operations and ramp services coordinator
air cargo operations supervisor
supervisor of aircraft cargo operations

A high school diploma or equivalent is generally the minimum required to work as an aircraft cargo operations coordinator.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Aircraft cargo operations coordinator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to aircraft cargo operations coordinator.

ground lighting officer
baggage flow supervisor
vessel operations coordinator
leather production machine operator
aircraft dispatcher

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of aircraft cargo operations coordinator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of aircraft cargo operations coordinator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

aeronautical information service officer
ship captain
aeronautical information specialist
aviation data communications manager
aviation inspector

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of aircraft cargo operations coordinator.

• Warehouse operations: Know the basic principles and practices of warehouse operations such as goods storage. Understand and satisfy customer needs and requirements while effectively utilising warehouse equipment, space and labour.
• Aircraft cargo capacity: Know the aircraft specifications and characteristics in order to organise and assess cargo loading capacities.
• Safety regulations for warehouses: The body of warehouse safety procedures and regulations to prevent incidents and hazards. Follow safety regulations and inspect equipment.
• Cargo industry: Thoroughly understand the cargo industry and its stakeholders, the structure of the industry and common challenges, and the operations of freight forwarders, airline cargo units, and others.

These skills are necessary for the role of aircraft cargo operations coordinator.

• Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
• Operate warehouse record systems: Operate systems for recording product, packaging, and order information in specific formats and types of record.
• Plan procedures for cargo operations: Plan a series of logistical procedures for cargo operations staff. Ensure the implementation of plans to the original specification.
• Apply company policies: Apply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.
• Monitor security procedures in warehouse operations: Supervise and enforce procedures for security purposes.
• Ensure customer focus: Attitude that puts customers at the centre of the business in all cases.
• Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
• Supervise unloading of cargo: Supervise unloading processes for equipment, cargo, goods and other items. Ensure that everything is handled and stored correctly in accordance with regulations and standards.
• Supervise loading of cargo: Supervise the process of loading equipment, cargo, goods and other items. Ensure that all cargo is handled and stored properly in accordance with regulations and standards.
• Ensure public safety and security: Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
• Carry out navigational calculations: Solve mathematical problems to achieve safe navigation.
• Work in an aviation team: Work confidently in a group in general aviation services, in which each individual operates in their own area of responsibility to reach a common goal, such as a good customer interaction, air safety, and aircraft maintenance.
• Follow airport safety procedures: Comply with airport safety procedures, policies and legislation to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, and to ensure the safety of passengers.
• Manage warehouse inventory: Manage warehouse inventory and control storage and movement of warehouse goods. Monitor transactions such as shipping, receiving and putaway.
• Identify airport safety hazards: Spot threats related to security at the airport and apply procedures to counteract them in a quick, safe, and efficient way.
• Apply airport standards and regulations: Know and apply the accepted standards and regulations for European airports. Apply knowledge to enforce airport rules, regulations, and the Airport Safety Plan.
• Operate scientific measuring equipment: Operate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.
• Conduct quality assurance checks on aircraft cargo: Conduct quality checks on cargo before loading commences of all aircraft; ensure the secure loading of all on-board cargo.
• Make numerical calculations: Work with numbers and perform complex calculations. An understanding of the basics of maths is crucial.
• Manage warehouse operations: Manage warehouse operations such as delivering orders and maintaining stock; control safety and risk prevention in the warehouse; follow plans to maximise efficiency of the supply chain.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of aircraft cargo operations coordinator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Exert a goal-oriented leadership role towards colleagues: Embrace a leadership role in the organisation and with colleagues as to provide coaching and direction to subordinates aiming at the achievement of specific objectives.
• Write emergency instructions for handling of dangerous goods: Provides written instructions on the handling of dangerous goods in an emergency. The instructions must be composed in a language that every crew member is able to understand.
• Give instructions to staff: Give instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.
• Think analytically: Produce thoughts using logic and reasoning in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Have computer literacy: Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.

4323 – Transport clerks

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References

1. Aircraft cargo operations coordinator – ESCO