Operations Optimisation Lead (18-month Contract)

Role Introduction

Reports to: Operations Optimisation Manager

Cathay has established an Operations Planning team (OPN) with the vision to “orchestrate operational excellence through cutting-edge planning solutions, digital innovation, and insights, enabling Cathay to become the world’s most resilient and efficient airline”.

Within OPN, the Operations Performance & Optimisation focuses on enhancing Cathay's Operations Planning and Operations Delivery by implementing advanced digital optimisation capabilities, aiming to improve Cathay’s operational performance holistically.

The Ops Optimisation Lead will act as a bridge between the business teams and technology partners to deploy holistic and integrated optimisation capabilities at the different time horizon, from operations planning up to operations delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Optimisation & Simulation Capabilities: Collaborate with technical partners to ensure the comprehensive delivery of optimisation and simulation tools. Provide detailed requirements and input to ascertain the most effective optimisation techniques to address business needs, such as balancing runtime with solution accuracy. Review model formulation and solution design; assist in testing and validating the optimisation outcomes
• Operations Forecast Models: Collaborate with technical partners to ensure the comprehensive delivery of operations forecast models, including predictions for flight delays or unplanned maintenance. Provide detailed requirements and input into the solution design; assist in testing and validating the forecast outcomes
• Exploration and improvements identification: Utilise Operations Research expertise and digital optimisation capabilities to identify areas for improvements in operations planning and delivery. This includes reviewing aircraft buffer strategy, adjusting network design for increased operational resilience, improving cost valuation within the Cathay Operations Decision Model and others
• Continuous Calibration & Improvement: Assist in establishing methodologies for the ongoing tuning and calibration of optimisation tools and operations forecast models to assess their accuracy and determine whether they deliver the desired business value
• Business Integration & Change: Collaborate closely with business end-users, who may not be familiar with operations research, to incorporate optimisation capabilities into their daily activities

Requirements

• 4-6 years of experience in a position in applying optimisation to business challenges, or as product manager for optimisation tools with practical experience in operational research considerations
• Airline operations experience is preferred, especially in operations planning, operations management (IOC/OCC), and aircraft maintenance planning
• Experience with applying optimization in resource scheduling, assignment and disruption management, is highly desirable
• Experience implementing business change and collaborating with end-users to integrate optimisation tools for decision support
• Capability to clearly articulate complex technical issues to business and leadership teams in an understandable manner
• Strong interpersonal skills and capability to perform effectively under pressure

Personal & Application Information