Manpower Planning Manager

Bakker & Partners is working exclusively in partnership with Sabena Engineering to recruit a Manpower Planning Manager for its Brussels operations.Sabena Engineering is a major European provider of aircraft maintenance (MRO) services, active in both civil and defense sectors. With over 900 professionals across 15 countries, the company combines a proud technical heritage with an ambitious growth and transformation agenda.About the RoleAs Manpower Planning Manager, you will act as the strategic and operational “nerve center” for workforce planning across Sabena Engineering’s Brussels site.Reporting directly to the EVP FEM Operations and working closely with the CEO and Head of HR, you will ensure that the right people are in the right place at the right time — balancing workload, profitability, and efficiency.This role is highly visible and business-critical, offering direct impact on the company’s operational performance, budget accuracy, and overall sustainability. It’s a unique opportunity to shape how one of Belgium’s most iconic aviation players manages its most valuable resource: its people.Key ResponsibilitiesOversee workforce planning across three horizons: strategic (3–5 years), tactical (quarterly), and operational (weekly/daily).Build and maintain data-driven models to balance workload and capacity.Act as a business partner and gatekeeper for all resource allocation decisions.Improve and digitalize planning tools and processes (transitioning from Excel toward AMOS).Provide insightful reporting and analysis to senior leadership.Coordinate closely with HR, Operations, and Finance for alignment and forecasting.Manage short-term urgencies while maintaining a long-term optimization focus.Your Profile8–15 years of experience in planning, operations control, or performance management (aviation, logistics, or manufacturing).Strong analytical mindset and advanced Excel proficiency; experience with AMOS or similar ERP tools is an asset.Clear communicator with strong stakeholder management skills.Resilient and calm under pressure, able to challenge constructively.Hands-on, pragmatic, and solution-oriented.Fluent in English; French or Dutch is a plus.What Sabena Engineering OffersA strategic, high-impact position at the core of Sabena Engineering’s transformation.Direct exposure to top management and decision-making processes.The opportunity to implement new planning systems and methods from scratch.A passionate aviation environment where initiative and ownership are rewarded.