Head of Base Maintenance & Workshops

Job Purpose

Responsible for leading the Base Maintenance, Workshops and Stores & Inventory Control functions within Air Arabia Group. Has a shared responsibility for the Air Arabia’s Engineering & Maintenance strategy implementation, function leadership, manpower management, and accountability for activities undertaken in Air Arabia Hanger/Base Maintenance including aircraft appearance, component, and all overhaul Workshops. To ensure the successful implementation and achievement of business plans for the respective functions aligned with Air Arabia Group’s strategy.

Key Result Responsibilities

1. Leads the respective teams with overall responsibility of function related activities and relationships, for Base Maintenance, Workshops and Stores & Inventory Control.
2. Supports the executive management in establishing strategic and budgetary plans for related areas and works with his/her teams to ensure successful delivery of the respective budgets and plans.
3. Ensures that all maintenance activities conducted in Air Arabia hangar are carried out to the quality and standards laid down by the regulatory authorities and the Air Arabia Group.
4. Partners with stakeholders for capacity planning to ensure the adequacy and availability of necessary resources (manpower, facilities, equipment, tools, etc.).
5. Reviews procedures and processes whilst introducing key change management programs necessary through process improvements continuously. This includes examining all current work methodologies and practices and will continually seek ways to enhance in-house capability to assist in reducing the overall maintenance costs.
6. Develops and implements strategies to ensure aircraft ground times are minimized and efficiently returned to service with minimal overrun risk
7. Provides direction and guidance to teams ensuring efficient and effective aircraft maintenance, On Time Performance (OTP) in support of the safe and compliant deployment of the fleet.
8. Analyzes and evaluates management reports to highlight variances and identify gaps in performance; recommends and implements corrective measures and alternative cost-effective solutions as needed; Responsible for ensuring adequate staffing is in place and in line with the business plan to meet the operational needs of the department.
9. Partners with stakeholders and mainly support functions such as Finance, HR, and IT to ensure cost-effective utilization of resources, systems & tools. Leverages technology to drive continued improvements.

Key Result Responsibilities – Continued

10. Partners with Quality Assurance, Safety, Security Department to ensure adherence to standards and regulations and ensures timely response to audit findings.
11. Represents Air Arabia and liaises with regulatory authorities when needed.

Qualifications (Academic, training, languages)

Minimum bachelor’s degree in aviation, Engineering, or other recognized qualification, preferably with a post graduate business qualification. Previous experience as a certifying engineer for A320 aircraft family would be an advantage.

• Management in a diverse multicultural environment.
• Project Management.
• Leading change management across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to influence at all levels including internal and external parties.
• Ability to recommend proposals and business plans based on feasibility studies, financial and risk control factors.
• Knowledge in Commercial/Quality Assurance /Safety/Internal & External Audit functional operations and practices related to and affecting aircraft maintenance.
• Employs a balance of technical expertise, and interpersonal relations to help drive business results and execute new initiatives that support the company’s objectives.
• Enhancing productivity/increasing profitability through cost control and aircrafts optimization.
• People management and leadership skills
• Fluent in English.

Work Experience

12+ years of experience in Aircraft Engineering and Maintenance of which at least 5 years will have been at a management level for heavy or base maintenance.