Director Network Planning in Demand Modelling & Aviation Costing
DHL · Diegem
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We are looking for a Director Network Planning in Demand Modelling & Aviation Costing based in Belgium.
Lead global network demand modelling and translate commercial, market, and operational inputs into reliable volume, flow and network scenarios. Drive aviation cost modelling and methodologies to enable cost-effective network design and optimization. Direct network design optimization to support strategic decisions and structural changes that improve service, resilience, revenue enablement, and cost efficiency across the DHL Express network.
How will you contribute to the success of DHL?
Network Demand Modelling- Drive the global demand-modelling strategy, standards, roadmap, and governance.
- Develop scenario-based models that integrate historical performance, commercial and market intelligence, seasonality, economic drivers, and network constraints to convert forecasts into origin-destination flows, shipment profiles & routing demand.
- Establish validation, back-testing, sensitivity analysis, confidence ranges, and continuous recalibration to improve decision quality.
- Define modelling architecture, data requirements, controls, quality standards, and the tool roadmap for global demand and network planning.
- Sponsor fit-for-purpose use of statistical modelling, optimization, simulation, and visualisation.
- Build organisational capability through common methodologies, documentation, training, and knowledge sharing.
- Act as the senior demand-modelling partner for the Aviation, Commercial, Network Planning, Network Control, Hubs & Gateways and Finance teams around the world.
- Align with global and regional stakeholders on assumptions, priorities, constraints, and network implications.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive aviation cost models and methodologies covering the principal drivers of air network economics.
- Assess fixed and variable operating costs across aircraft types and operating models.
- Establish transparent cost-per-flight, block-hour, weight and volume capacity metrics to support comparable decision-making.
- Ensure that aviation cost drivers are embedded into network design and optimisation models.
- Act as the lead business owner for the development and evolution of the DHL Aviation Costing Module (ACM), ensuring alignment with network planning and optimization requirements.
- Direct network design studies covering routings, schedules, rotations, hubs, gateways, capacity deployment, ULD flows.
- Translate demand scenarios into optimised options balancing service, cost, capacity, resilience, sustainability, and operational feasibility.
- Lead structural network changes from concept and NCR/BCA evaluation through stakeholder alignment, decision, and implementation oversight.
- Recommend preferred network solutions and medium-term opportunities to improve connectivity, asset utilisation, delivery performance, and cost efficiency.
Do you have what it takes?
- Master’s degree in Data Science, Engineering, Economics, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Applied Mathematics, or a related discipline preferred
- Typically, 10+ years of senior-level experience in demand modelling, network planning, aviation costing, supply chain design, or a related field.
- Proven leadership in applying demand, flow, aviation costing and network models to complex decisions and major transformation initiatives.
- Strong executive influence, global matrix leadership, and experience establishing modelling governance, data standards, and tool roadmaps.
- Deep understanding of express, air cargo, airline, or time-definite logistics networks.
- Advanced knowledge of forecasting, statistical modelling, aviation economics and cost modelling, optimisation, simulation, scenario analysis, and performance analytics.
- Ability to connect quantitative outputs with commercial, operational, and financial implications.
- Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English
Please submit your application along with your CV and a copy of your highest educational degree (e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s, or MBA certificate).
DHL is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.