OPERATIONAL SUPPORT MANAGER

About the job

Manager, Operational Support

Job Summary

The Manager, Operational Support provides leadership and strategic direction for the Tooling, Ground Support Equipment (GSE), and Facilities functions supporting aircraft maintenance operations.

This position is responsible for operational readiness, regulatory compliance, asset reliability, and the efficient utilization of company resources across multiple locations and functional areas. The Manager leads a team responsible for the planning, maintenance, tracking, repair, and lifecycle management of tooling, equipment, and facilities while driving process standardization, system utilization, continuous improvement, safety performance, and cost effectiveness.

The position partners with Maintenance, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, Safety, and Operations leadership to ensure the organization's support infrastructure enables maintenance productivity and business growth.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Facilities Management

• Manage and maintain ILN facilities, including fire suppression systems, preventative maintenance, and repairs through qualified suppliers.

• Coordinate facility-related maintenance activities to support operational readiness and reliability.

Ground Support Equipment (GSE)

• Manage and maintain GSE equipment, including preventative maintenance, repairs, and service activities through suppliers.

• Monitor equipment condition, reliability, utilization, and maintenance requirements.

Tooling Management

• Manage and maintain tooling, including location, serviceability, identification/marking, and tracking.

• Coordinate preventative maintenance and repairs through suppliers.

• Maintain appropriate visibility and control of tooling assets.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop supervisory and frontline personnel through:

• Hiring and workforce planning

• Coaching and performance management

• Employee development

• Succession planning

• Accountability

• Organizational effectiveness initiatives

Process & Systems Management

• Develop, implement, and standardize processes governing facilities, tooling, and GSE activities.

• Drive effective utilization of ERP, asset management, work order, and reporting systems.

• Improve operational visibility, efficiency, compliance, and decision-making through effective systems and processes.

Asset & Capital Planning

• Develop long-term replacement, maintenance, and capital investment strategies for facilities, tooling, and GSE assets.

• Evaluate asset utilization, reliability, lifecycle costs, and operational requirements to support future business needs.

• Develop business cases for new and replacement equipment to support capital expenditure approvals.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote a culture of safety by ensuring work is performed in accordance with established OSHA safety regulations.

• Proactively identify and address potentially hazardous situations.

• Ensure appropriate safety protocols and PPE requirements are followed.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Associate's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Aviation Management, Facilities Management, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Facilities

• Tooling

• Maintenance support

• Fleet support

• Industrial operations

• Aircraft maintenance operations

• GSE operations

• Related technical environments

• Demonstrated experience leading teams, managing budgets, developing suppliers, implementing process improvements, and managing capital projects.

• Experience utilizing ERP systems, maintenance management systems, Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and other reporting or asset management tools.

Technical & Operational Requirements

• Knowledge of PPE and safety protocols related to potential exposure to dust, body fluids, radiation, chemicals, fumes, vapors, or mists.

• Ability to properly operate and maintain control of hand tools and small parts.

• Valid driver's license.

• Ability to successfully complete required operational testing for:

• Forklift

• Scissor lift

• Boom lift

• Tug

• Spyder crane

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience selecting, developing, evaluating, and managing suppliers to ensure service quality, responsiveness, compliance, and cost effectiveness.

• Experience planning and executing capital projects, facility upgrades, infrastructure improvements, equipment acquisitions, and replacement programs.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Directly supervises 8 full-time employees.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to:

• Sit, stand, bend, crouch, kneel, and walk for extended periods.

• Work at a computer for extended periods of time.

• Crawl in confined spaces on hands and knees to perform work.

• Walk at heights of up to 80 feet.

• Climb stairs and safely use ladders.

• Lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.

Work Environment

The position may require work in operational, maintenance, facility, and equipment environments and may involve exposure to dust, body fluids, radiation, chemicals, fumes, vapors, or mists. Appropriate PPE and established safety protocols must be followed.