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Manager, Labor Planning & Forecasting - Region

gategroup · Schiller Park, IL · $95,000–$105,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you found labor savings without hurting service.

What they are checking: Whether they can optimize shift patterns based on data instead of simply cutting hours.

Tell me about a forecast you got wrong. What did you learn?

What they are checking: Whether they review forecast accuracy and improve the method instead of defending the miss.

What would you do

An airline adds flights with two weeks' notice. How do you adjust the schedule?

What they are checking: Whether they can react quickly while respecting rules on shifts, overtime and union agreements.

An operations leader ignores your schedule and staffs by gut feel. How do you handle that?

What they are checking: Whether they can win cooperation by showing value rather than demanding compliance.

How do you present labor data in a daily meeting so supervisors actually act on it?

What they are checking: Whether they can make numbers simple and useful for busy operations leaders.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd build a 12-week roster from a production forecast.

What they are checking: Whether they can turn demand into staffing levels and shift patterns over the long horizon.

How do you handle the difference between the long-term plan and what actually happens the week of?

What they are checking: Whether they manage the short-term adjustments that keep labor aligned with real flight schedules.

How would you build and use a skill matrix that includes FTE efficiency?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that knowing who can do what is key to flexible, efficient scheduling.

How would you set up daily call-out management so leaders know their coverage before a shift starts?

What they are checking: Whether they can build a reliable daily process for absences and line-up sheets.

What tools have you used for forecasting and scheduling, and how comfortable are you building your own models?

What they are checking: Whether they can work with scheduling systems like STLT and fill gaps with their own analysis.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by gategroup.

We’re looking for motivated, engaged people to help make everyone’s journeys better. Responsible for all the local activities related to the labor planning and labor scheduling on the long and short term of the assigned unit(s). Annual Hiring Range: • $95,000 - $105,000/Per Year Benefits • Paid time off • 401k, with company match • Company sponsored life insurance • Medical, dental, vision plans • Voluntary short-term/long-term disability insurance • Voluntary life, accident, and hospital plans • Employee Assistance Program • Commuter benefits • Employee Discounts Main Duties and Responsibilities: • Productivity planning • Provide input and validation for the long term production planning and scheduling • Provide updated information for the labor planning process short and long term • Provide input and validation for the long term rosters. • Responsible for labor planning, scheduling and rostering for long (12 weeks) and short term (1 week) • Assist Operations leaders to assemble employee schedules based on demand. Optimization of short and long term shift pattern and rosters. • Work with cross-functional leaders to develop and maintain a skill matrix, including FTE efficiency • Daily line up sheet generation per subsection using STLT • Asssit Operational leaders with information needed to conduct daily labor meetings. Daily call-out management (logging and sourcing) • Definition of labor rules and flexibility in collaboration with HR • Accountable for regular shift bidding preparation and timely submission to adjust the shift bids better to volume • Ensure shift briefing protocols are followed, including attending shift briefings according to a “random” pattern • Ensures that weekly, monthly and ad-hoc reports are completed accurately and in a timely manner. • Daily OPRS maintenance (actuals for EMMs, flights, meals, hours; weekly forecasted hours and FTE’s per weekly schedules) • Responsible for overtime control reduction by enforcing supervisor accountability and schedule exception control (Top overtime amounts by employee, discrepancy amount per employee) • Responsible for training department heads and supervisors on management tools and procedures • Participate in the weekly forecasting meeting • Assist operational leaders in Maintaining annual vacation tracker Qualifications Education: • Degree in Engineering, preferably in Industrial Engineering or Business with a focus on Supply Chain Work Experience: • 3+ years work experience in a lean manufacturing environment, preferably in labor planning and rostering, operational planning, operational Key Performance Indicators follow up or finance controlling Job Skills: • Capable of working in an autonomous way • Capable of working under pressure with tight deadlines • Staff planning and rostering • Self-motivated and proactive • Flexible and change-minded. Willing to learn and implement new processes and procedures. Technical Skills: (Certification, Licenses and Registration) • APICS certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) • Advanced IT knowledge (Excel, Word, Outlook, Access and SharePoint) • Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning Systems and Management Information Systems • Sound knowledge of production planning, labor planning, standard costing and daily reporting • Very good knowledge of union rules and labor laws • Proficient with lean manufacturing environments Language / Communication Skills: • Fluent in written and verbal English language. Knowledge of a second language is a plus • Strong communication skills Job Dimensions Geographic Responsibility: Multiple Units in an area Type of Employment: Full Time Travel %: 10-25% outside of 50 miles Exemption Classification: Exempt Internal Relationships: Regional and unit operations, finance, human resources staff External Relationships: Professional affiliate organizations Work Environment / Requirements of the Job: Office / Manufacturing gategroup Competencies Required to be Successful in the Job: • Thinking – Information Search and analysis & problem resolution skills • Engaging – Understanding others, Team Leadership and Developing People • Inspiring – Influencing and building relationships, Motivating and Inspiring, Communicating effectively • Achieving – Delivering business results under pressure, Championing Performance Improvement and Customer Focus Demonstrated Values to be Successful in the Position Employees at gategroup are expected to live our Values of Excellence, Passion, Responsibility and Respect. To demonstrate these Values, we expect to observe the following from everyone: Excellence We put the customer at the forefront of everything we do, taking time to understand their needs, wishes and desires. We constantly learn by giving and receiving feedback, improving from our mistakes and bettering ourselves. Passion Hospitality, in its purest form, comes down to a single, core principle: care. We do everything with thoughtfulness, attention, and care. We have a growth mindset, a resilience that makes us determined to bounce back from failures and setbacks. Responsibility We care about what we do, and we understand the impact we have on others and the planet. We always look out for each other –creating a safe workplace environment is everyone’s responsibility. Respect Every job matters. We each do our part to ensure our colleagues and our customers succeed in their goals. We respect each other’s voices and foster a workplace that supports inclusion and belonging. We are all one gategroup. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. gategroup is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status or other category under applicable law. For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf We anticipate that this job will close on: 10/25/2026 Please click here to view our North America Applicant Privacy Notice. If you want to be part of a team that helps make travel and culinary memories, join us!

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