Location: JFK, New York
Salary: $87,000 - $99,000 per annum
Closing date: Sunday, 25th January 2026
Virgin Atlantic Cargo is a 170m global business connecting retailers, manufacturers and producers with their customers worldwide. Operating as a business within a business, we play a critical role in Virgin Atlantic’s commercial success, underpinned by operational excellence, strong partnerships and a relentless focus on service.
We are now recruiting a Cargo Operations Manager – JFK to lead operations at our largest and busiest station in the US network. This is a high-profile, hands-on leadership role, ideal for an experienced air cargo professional who thrives in complexity and enjoys being at the centre of a fast-moving operation.
As Cargo Operations Manager, you will have end-to-end accountability for cargo operations at JFK, ensuring safe, secure and compliant delivery of our cargo product while driving performance through strong leadership, supplier management and operational discipline.
You will lead a team of Cargo Officers and work closely with internal stakeholders, regulators, ground handlers and commercial teams to deliver a consistently high-quality operation in a demanding environment.
This is an active, visible role that requires strong judgement, resilience and the ability to bring structure and clarity to ambiguity.
- Lead all aspects of cargo operational delivery at JFK, ensuring compliance with safety, security and regulatory requirements
- Maintain deep and current knowledge of US regulatory standards, including CBP, FAA, TSA and USDA, alongside IATA and IOSA requirements
- Create and embed a culture of operational excellence across the local team and supplier network
- Lead, coach and develop a team of Cargo Officers, providing clear direction, support and performance management
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with regulators, suppliers, ground handlers and internal Virgin Atlantic teams
- Manage third-party suppliers, including performance management against agreed service levels and contractual obligations
- Drive continuous improvement, operational efficiency and cost control while maintaining regulatory and product standards
- Ensure robust processes are in place for operational reporting, cost verification and supplier invoicing
- Any additional operational tasks that are requested by your direct manager
You will be an experienced air cargo operations professional with the credibility and confidence to lead in a complex, high-pressure environment.
Alongside the above we are looking for the following:
- Proven experience in air cargo operations, ideally within an airline or ground handling environment
- Strong technical understanding of cargo operations and the US regulatory landscape
- Demonstrated people management experience, with the ability to lead, motivate and develop teams
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence across multiple parties
- A calm, organised and pragmatic approach, able to prioritise effectively in a fast-moving operation
- Comfort working in ambiguity, with the resilience and drive to solve complex operational challenges
- Commercial awareness and experience working closely with sales or commercial teams is welcome, but operational credibility is essential.
- Right to live and work in the US
Why join Virgin Atlantic Cargo?
This role offers a rare opportunity to take on station-level leadership at the most complex cargo operation in our US network. You’ll have real ownership, real accountability and the chance to make a tangible impact on a critical part of our business.
No two months are the same. From operational challenges to supplier relationships and customer demands, this is a role for someone who enjoys variety, visibility and responsibility.
If you’re energised by challenge, motivated by complexity and enjoy being at the heart of an operation, this role will stretch and reward you.
Virgin offers comprehensive benefits packages to meet the needs and wellbeing of our employees and their families. For eligible US based employees, our benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents, short- and long-term disability, holidays, paid personal time off, non-revenue travel privileges, 401(k), and much more.
Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong.
To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you’d like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team, (recruitmentfly.virgin.com) feeling confident that we’ve got your individual considerations covered.
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