Manage without Charlie helping process (9)
I believe the answer is:
operation
'process' is the definition.
(I know that process can be written as operation)
'manage without charlie helping' is the wordplay.
'manage' becomes 'cope' (manage can mean to cope or do well).
'without' is a deletion indicator.
'charlie' becomes 'C' (phonetic alphabet).
'helping' becomes 'ration' (a ration is a serving or helping).
'cope' with 'c' taken away is 'ope'.
'ope'+'ration'='OPERATION'
(Other definitions for operation that I've seen before include "Theatre procedure" , "Surgical or military procedure" , "Business" , "battle" , "medical treatment" .)