Our client is looking to recruit a General Manager to join their growing team. Reporting to the Global Operations, the chosen candidate will:
Business Leadership & Financial Performance
- Assume full accountability for the site's Profit & Loss (P&L), delivering agreed financial targets including revenue, profitability, productivity and cash performance.
- Develop and execute operational and business plans aligned with the company's strategic objectives.
- Prepare, manage and control annual operating budgets and capital expenditure.
- Monitor operational and financial KPIs, implementing corrective actions to drive sustainable performance.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, optimise costs and enhance profitability without compromising safety, quality or customer service.
- Support commercial activities by working closely with Sales and senior leadership to maximise hangar utilisation, customer retention and business growth.
Operational Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day operation of the Malta facility, ensuring the safe, efficient and effective delivery of all aircraft maintenance and painting activities.
- Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget and in accordance with customer expectations.
- Establish and maintain robust operational processes that maximise productivity, quality and customer satisfaction.
- Chair operational performance meetings, driving accountability through clear metrics, action plans and follow-up.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean principles and industry best practices to enhance operational performance.
- Ensure the effective maintenance of facilities, equipment and infrastructure to maximise operational availability.
Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance
- Champion a proactive safety culture where safety remains the highest operational priority.
- Ensure full compliance with EASA regulations, local aviation authority requirements, company approvals and customer standards.
- Maintain the highest standards of quality, ensuring all work is performed in accordance with approved procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, Environmental and Fire Safety legislation, permits and company policies.
- Maintain effective relationships with aviation authorities, regulatory bodies, customers and external auditors.
Customer & Stakeholder Management
- Develop and maintain strong customer relationships to ensure consistently high levels of service delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Act as the senior operational representative during customer visits, audits, business reviews and key stakeholder meetings.
- Work collaboratively with Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, HR and Finance to ensure integrated operational delivery.
- Build productive relationships with suppliers, contractors, regulatory agencies and other external stakeholders.
Leadership & People Development
- Provide visible, inspirational leadership that promotes accountability, collaboration, engagement and continuous improvement.
- Build, develop and retain a high-performing workforce through effective recruitment, succession planning and talent development.
- Lead, coach and develop the management team through regular performance reviews, mentoring and individual development plans.
- Set clear objectives and performance expectations, providing regular coaching, recognition and constructive feedback.
- Promote employee engagement through effective communication, leadership visibility and recognition of achievement.
- Foster positive employee relations while ensuring the fair and consistent application of company policies, employment legislation and collective agreements where applicable.
- Promote an inclusive workplace where all employees are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
Governance & Risk Management
- Ensure effective operational governance through robust reporting, internal controls and risk management processes.
- Monitor operational risks and implement mitigation strategies to protect people, customers, assets and business continuity.
- Ensure all statutory inspections, certifications, permits and service contracts remain current and compliant.
- Continuous Improvement
- Drive a culture of operational excellence, innovation and continuous improvement across the facility.
- Lead business transformation initiatives that improve competitiveness, efficiency, quality and customer experience.
- Benchmark operational performance against industry best practice and implement improvements where appropriate.
- Undertake any additional responsibilities reasonably required to support the successful operation of the business.
Requirements
- Ability to build, motivate and develop high-performing teams.
- Resilient and able to perform effectively in a dynamic operational environment.
- Strong planning, organisational and project management capability.
- Strong customer focus with a commitment to service excellence.
- Excellent leadership, influencing and decision-making skills.
Benefits
Education and experience
- Strong commercial acumen with demonstrable P&L management experience.
- Minimum of 7 years senior operational leadership experience within the aviation industry, preferably in an MRO, aircraft painting or aerospace manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing a complex operational facility with full P&L responsibility.
- Strong understanding of EASA regulations, aviation quality systems and safety management principles.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary operational teams in a customer-focused environment.
- Sound understanding of employment legislation together with Health & Safety and Environmental regulations.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Accounting, Business or a related discipline is preferred.
- Project Management qualification (PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent) would be advantageous.
- Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
