Job Summary

The Experienced Ramp Duty Manager at Swissport International AG is a high-stakes “Precision & Safety” leadership role within the global leader in airport ground services. Based in Québec City, this position requires the “wit” to synchronize complex ground handling logistics with strict flight schedules and the “grit” to lead teams in a physically demanding, all-weather aviation environment. You are the final authority on the tarmac, ensuring that every aircraft turnaround is safe, efficient, and aligned with international aviation standards.

Job Details

Employer: Swissport International AG.
Location: Québec City, Quebec (Jean Lesage International Airport – YQB).
Status: Full-time.
Salary: $50,000 – $70,000 a year.
Experience: Minimum 3 years of Ramp Supervisor experience.
Education: High school diploma required; Degree in Aviation or Management preferred.

Key Responsibilities: The “Turnaround” Cycle

You are the “Conductor of the Tarmac,” managing the high-pressure window between an aircraft’s arrival and departure.

Daily Operational Command: Manage and direct all ramp activities, ensuring that baggage handling, aircraft positioning, and ground power units are deployed with surgical precision.
Safety & Quality Governance: Create and maintain a rigorous “Safety-First” culture, ensuring 100% compliance with SMS (Safety Management Systems) and carrier-specific SOPs.
Stakeholder Relations: Act as the primary liaison between Swissport, the airlines (customers), and the Québec Airport Authorities.
Workflow Supervision: Oversee staff assignments, monitor real-time workflows, and conduct daily management briefings to align the team on flight loads and weather challenges.
Conflict Resolution: Rapidly address operational bottlenecks or personnel issues to prevent “Delay Minutes,” which are critical KPIs in the aviation sector.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

The “Aviation Veteran”: Someone with deep “Ramp Operations” knowledge who understands the weight distribution of a cargo hold as well as they understand team dynamics.
Leadership Wit: Exceptional communication skills and the ability to lead diverse teams under the literal and figurative pressure of a jet engine.
Operational Grit: A valid driver’s license is required, along with the stamina to manage “Dynamic” environments where schedules change by the minute.
Problem-Solving Prowess: Strong conflict resolution skills to manage the friction that naturally arises in high-stress, time-sensitive environments.

Technical Insights: The Ground Handling Ecosystem

A Ramp Duty Manager must master the “Under-the-Wing” technicalities that keep an airline profitable.

SLA (Service Level Agreement) Compliance: You are measured by “On-Time Performance” (OTP). Every minute of delay costs the airline thousands of dollars in fuel and passenger re-accommodation.
FOD (Foreign Object Debris) Prevention: You will lead the charge in maintaining a clean ramp. Even a small bolt on the tarmac can cause catastrophic engine damage.
Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Optimization: Managing the deployment of pushback tugs, belt loaders, and de-icing trucks to ensure maximum utilization without compromising safety.

Why Join Swissport?

Swissport is the world’s largest provider of ground and air cargo services, active at 287 airports in 45 countries.

Global Standards: Work within a framework of international best practices and world-class training programs.
Career Trajectory: A Duty Manager role is the primary stepping stone to Station Manager or Regional Operations Director positions within the global Swissport network.
Competitive Compensation: A solid salary range of $50k–$70k with the stability of a global aviation leader.
Impactful Leadership: Directly influence the travel experience of thousands of passengers by ensuring their flights depart safely and on time.

Job Description

Do you believe that a flight doesn’t start in the cockpit, but on the ramp? Swissport International AG is seeking an Experienced Ramp Duty Manager. We aren’t looking for a “supervisor”; we are looking for a tactical leader who has the “grit” to manage a de-icing operation in a Quebec snowstorm and the “wit” to optimize a 45-minute turnaround for a wide-body aircraft. If you have 3+ years of ramp leadership and a passion for the “Dynamic” world of aviation, you belong on our tarmac.

In this role, you are an “Operations Strategist.” You understand that safety and speed are not opposites, but two sides of the same coin. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Ground Handling,” ensuring every staff assignment is optimized and every customer relationship is strengthened. We look for “Safety-first” individuals who are organized, authoritative, and ready to elevate our Quebec operations.

Joining Swissport means joining the global engine of aviation. We offer the professional challenges you crave and the competitive rewards you deserve. If you are an aviation professional with a commitment to “Quality and Performance,” we invite you to apply and lead our ramp team to new heights today.

Swissport International AG: The Engine of Québec City Aviation

Swissport International AG is the world’s leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling, defined by a 2026 culture of “Operational Excellence, Safety-First Precision, and Global Connectivity.” In Québec City, Swissport operates as the primary backbone for Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), ensuring that the “complex choreography” of aviation remains seamless, safe, and on schedule. The mission is centered on being the “partner of choice” for airlines, delivered by a workforce that thrives in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment.

In 2026, Swissport is the invisible hand behind the traveler’s journey in the Capitale-Nationale:

1. The YQB Operational Ecosystem

Swissport provides a comprehensive “Above and Below the Wing” service portfolio at Québec City’s international gateway:

Passenger Services: Managing the critical first and last touchpoints, including check-in, gate operations, and specialized mobility assistance for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM).
Ramp Handling: The high-intensity core of the operation, covering aircraft loading/unloading, pushback, and “turnaround coordination” to ensure flights depart on time.
Winter Operations: A specialized focus in Québec City, where Swissport’s de-icing teams use advanced technology to maintain safety and flow during the region’s harsh winter months.
GSE Maintenance: Operating a dedicated facility at 505 Rue Principale to service and maintain Ground Service Equipment (GSE), keeping the airport’s mechanical fleet in peak condition.

2. Strategic Pillars: “Innovation & Decarbonization”

The 2026 Swissport model focuses on modernization to meet both efficiency and environmental goals:

Fleet Electrification: As part of a €1.5 billion global investment, the Québec City station is transitioning toward electric ground support equipment to reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution.
AI-Enabled Safety: Implementation of the “Aircraft Proximity Detection System” (APDS) and AI ground cameras to actively prevent ramp incidents and enhance operational precision.
Digital Integration: Utilization of the Swissport oneApp, a mobile solution that keeps non-desk frontline staff connected to real-time updates and safety protocols.

3. Company Culture: “Make It Happen”

Internally, life at Swissport is defined by three core values: Show You Care, Do the Right Things, and Win as a Team.

The “Make It Happen” Spirit: A culture that rewards proactive problem-solving and a “can-do” attitude, essential for the unpredictable nature of aviation.
Diversity & Inclusion: Supported by global Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for Women, Pride, and Ability, fostering a workplace where diverse perspectives drive safer and more creative solutions.
Structured Training: Every employee enters through the Swissport Academy, ensuring that even those new to aviation receive world-class, standardized safety and technical training.

4. 2026 Career & Compensation Benchmarks

Working at Swissport YQB offers a career path in a vital global industry with competitive local benefits:

Compensation Highlights (March 2026 Estimates):
- Passenger Service Agent: ~$21.50 per hour.
- Ramp Agent / Baggage Handler: ~$18.50 – $21.50 per hour.
- GSE Maintenance Mechanic: Competitive hourly rates based on trade certification (Heavy Duty/Automotive).
- Ramp Duty Manager: Salary benchmarks ranging from $75,000 – $95,000+ per year depending on experience.
The “Swissport Advantage” Benefits:
- Comprehensive Insurance: Full health, dental, and vision care packages.
- Financial Future: Group RRSP matching programs to support long-term savings.
- Operational Perks: Paid professional training, provided uniforms, and free on-site parking at YQB.
- Global Mobility: For those looking to grow, Swissport offers pathways to move between its 286+ airport locations worldwide.

Joining Swissport in Québec City means being part of a “Global Team with a Local Pulse.” Whether you are a Mechanic keeping the fleet running or a Duty Manager overseeing a complex ramp turnaround, the experience is defined by the opportunity to “shape the heartbeat of aviation” in one of Canada’s most essential transport hubs.

To apply for this job please visit careers.swissport.com.