Some careers start with a dream. Others unfold piece by piece, through a series of projects and moments. Just like Zhi Jie’s journey at SATS Cargo.
Zhi Jie, Senior Executive, Tractor Pull Operations (TPO), SATS Cargo
Zhi Jie first walked into SATS as a polytechnic intern at Technical Ramp, just a teenager completing a requirement for his studies in Aerospace Electronics. But over those eight months, he had been part of two major technology rollouts: the smartwatch and the bone conductor headset, helping tech ramp servicemen adopt tools designed to make their work faster, smarter, and more efficient.
Zhi Jie at his first SATS internship on the Technical Ramp, when the smartwatch was newly launched
“It was exciting for an intern like me because we weren’t just observing,” he recalls. “We were teaching others how to use these new technologies. That kind of hands-on exposure hooked me.”
Yes, hooked is the right word. “It’s true what they say about aviation,” he shares. “It sucks you in.”
After that first internship, Zhi Jie returned to SATS in 2022, this time as a university intern while studying Air Transport Management. Coincidentally, he was assigned to Cargo, where his first boss from Technical Ramp had also moved.
It was a trial by fire. Zhi Jie witnessed the cargo crunch of 2023, along with the tidal wave of e-commerce demand at the height of shopping events like 11.11 and 12.12.
“I saw how intense it could get,” he says. “But it was also eye-opening to be part of the team that keeps the airport moving.”
Zhi Jie alongside the team he worked with during his university internship at SATS Cargo
When the internship ended, Zhi Jie decided to step out and gain exposure to other industries first. But strangely enough, he had promised his team he would be back soon. “Perhaps deep down I knew I wanted to return to SATS and aviation,” he says, laughing.
In 2024, he kept that promise and rejoined SATS Cargo as a full-time Executive in eCommerce Solutions.
Beyond keeping a promise, what drew Zhi Jie back was the culture at SATS. The collaboration and teamwork he experienced personally were, for him, rare in today’s global organisations.
In his role as an eCommerce Solutions Executive, he leads a team of 25, working shifts around the clock to process inbound e-commerce goods. They handle pallet retrieval to scanning, sorting, and monitoring client feedback.
They work long hours, especially during peak sales events. But no one is left to carry the load alone.
“When manpower is short or something needs to be done on the floor, I step in. My team does the same. That’s the kind of teamwork that convinced me SATS is where I belonged,” Zhi Jie beams.
11 Nov 2024 – An unforgettable night for Zhi Jie as six trucks of loose shipments arrived from KL to be processed at the warehouse
One night leaves a lasting mark on Zhi Jie. On the eve of the 11.11 sales rush, he got a call during dinner: six unexpected truckloads of loose shipments from Kuala Lumpur had rolled in. “It’s a case of hybrid shipping,” he explains, “where the airline client uses air freight from the origin country, then trucking for the next leg of the journey.”
It was his first time dealing with such a situation, and he had no time to plan. “I told the team not to panic, calmly laid out what needed to be done, finished my dinner, and headed back to the Air Freight Terminal (AFT),” he recalls.
They worked until 5 in the morning to sort everything out. “It was unforgettable because it showed me the importance of staying calm and trusting your team.”
While SATS has many long-serving colleagues, it’s also energised by younger employees like Zhi Jie who bring new perspectives.
In 2024, he was part of the launch of SF Express’ first international airside logistics centre outside China, based at SATS’ Core A warehouse. One challenge stood out: how to process 26 identical Unit Load Devices (ULDs) quickly and efficiently.
October 2024 – Opening of SF Express’ facility in SATS’ Core A Warehouse
Zhi Jie studied the entire chain, from the origin point overseas to every touchpoint along the way. His solution was simple: a colour-coding system applied right from the origin. By the time the ULDs arrived in Singapore, they were already segregated and easy to process.
After a trial and fine-tuning, the system worked seamlessly on opening day. It was a small idea on paper, but one that saved significant time and effort across teams. For Zhi Jie, it was proof that sometimes fresh eyes can make a difference.
Zhi Jie during the SATS Global PCEO Awards and Cargo Long Service Awards 2024
Recently promoted to Senior Executive, Zhi Jie has moved into Tractor Pull Operations in Cargo. Though it may be a new role, each project, challenge, and moment continues to pull him deeper into aviation.
He keeps his mantra simple: Do your best in everything you do and keep your conscience clear.
Q: What is cargo handling in aviation?
Cargo handling in aviation refers to the end-to-end process of managing goods as they move through warehouses and airports for air transport, including receiving shipments, checking documentation, security screening, sorting, palletising into Unit Load Devices, loading and unloading aircraft, and ensuring timely transfer between flights or transport modes.
Q: What is air freight?
Air freight is the transportation of goods by aircraft, offering fast and reliable delivery over long distances, especially for time-sensitive, high-value, or perishable shipments. It involves a coordinated process that includes booking cargo space with airlines, preparing and securing shipments, handling documentation and customs clearance, and managing the movement of goods through airport warehouses and onto aircraft for international or domestic delivery.
Q: How can airports improve efficiency in ground and cargo handling operations?
Airports can improve efficiency in ground and cargo handling operations by combining technology, process optimisation, and strong teamwork to streamline end-to-end workflows. This includes adopting digital tools such as wearables and real-time tracking systems to improve communication and productivity, standardising processes like pre-sorting cargo to reduce handling time, and ensuring close coordination across teams to manage high volumes, especially during e-commerce peak periods.
Q: What are the top air cargo companies?
Top air cargo companies can refer to both cargo carriers and cargo handlers, depending on the context. Cargo carriers, such as FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, Qatar Airways Cargo, and Emirates SkyCargo, operate aircraft and transport goods across global networks. Meanwhile, cargo handlers, such as SATS, manage ground operations at airports, including warehousing, sorting, ULD handling, and shipment processing.
Q: How do international ground services coordinate with airlines and cargo companies?
International ground services coordinate with airlines and cargo companies through integrated systems, real-time communication, and standardised operating procedures that align flight schedules, cargo bookings, and handling requirements. This includes managing documentation and customs processes, tracking shipments across touchpoints, and coordinating cargo transfers between trucks, warehouses, and aircraft, while ensuring smooth loading and unloading operations.
