Operations Manager – Aerospace & Aviation

Location: Muskoka, Ontario
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to provide leadership and oversight of day-to-day operations within a growing aerospace and aviation organization.

The Operations Manager will be responsible for coordinating and managing activities across aircraft maintenance, aircraft modification, engineering, manufacturing, production, quality, and project operations.

This is a senior, hands-on management position requiring strong leadership, technical understanding, project management, and the ability to coordinate multiple departments to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on schedule, and in accordance with applicable regulatory and customer requirements.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Senior Management teams.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Management

Lead and manage daily operational activities across the organization.
Develop and manage operational schedules, priorities, manpower requirements, and resources.
Coordinate aircraft maintenance, modification, manufacturing, and production activities.
Ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget.
Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity and efficiency.
Manage operational priorities across multiple projects simultaneously.
Ensure adequate manpower, tooling, equipment, materials, and facilities are available to meet project requirements.
Identify and resolve operational issues that could affect project schedules, costs, quality, or customer commitments.
Develop and implement processes to improve operational efficiency and turnaround times.

Engineering Department Coordination

Work closely with the Engineering Department to coordinate aircraft modification, design, certification, and technical projects.
Coordinate engineering requirements with maintenance, production, and operational schedules.
Ensure engineering requirements, drawings, technical data, work instructions, and approved modifications are properly communicated to operational teams.
Support engineering and certification teams in managing project timelines and technical deliverables.
Coordinate engineering resources and priorities with customer and operational requirements.
Ensure engineering solutions and approved technical data are properly incorporated into aircraft maintenance and modification activities.
Identify engineering issues that may affect project schedules, costs, resources, or aircraft delivery.
Facilitate communication between Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, and senior management.
Support the development and improvement of engineering and operational processes.
Assist senior management in planning future engineering capabilities and operational capacity.

Aircraft Maintenance & Modification

Oversee aircraft maintenance and modification activities from planning through completion.
Coordinate aircraft induction, work packages, maintenance activities, installations, inspections, testing, and completion.
Ensure maintenance and modification work is completed in accordance with approved technical data and company procedures.
Work with Engineering and Quality to resolve technical and operational issues.
Monitor aircraft turnaround times and project completion schedules.
Ensure appropriate documentation and technical records are completed accurately.

Team Leadership

Lead and manage technicians, AMEs, engineers, production personnel, and other operational staff.
Develop a strong culture of safety, quality, accountability, and teamwork.
Support recruitment, onboarding, training, mentoring, and employee development.
Establish clear expectations for productivity, quality, safety, and performance.
Monitor employee performance and address operational or performance issues.
Ensure employees have the appropriate tools, training, equipment, and resources to perform their duties.

Quality, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure operations comply with applicable Transport Canada regulations, company procedures, approved data, and customer requirements.
Work closely with Quality and Regulatory personnel to maintain compliance.
Support internal and external audits, inspections, investigations, and corrective actions.
Promote a strong safety and quality culture throughout the organization.
Ensure maintenance, engineering, and production documentation is completed accurately and maintained appropriately.
Ensure employees understand and follow applicable regulatory and company requirements.

Project Management

Work with Engineering, Operations, and Senior Management to establish project schedules, manpower requirements, and operational plans.
Monitor project progress and communicate status, risks, delays, and resource requirements.
Identify potential project issues before they affect delivery.
Support project budgeting, manpower forecasting, and resource planning.
Ensure customer commitments and project milestones are achieved.
Assist with estimating labour, materials, equipment, facilities, and other project requirements.

Supply Chain & Facilities

Coordinate material, parts, tooling, and equipment requirements with purchasing and supply chain.
Monitor availability of required materials and aircraft components.
Coordinate with suppliers and subcontractors where required.
Ensure facilities, hangar space, tooling, and equipment are properly managed.
Identify opportunities to reduce operating costs and improve resource utilization.

Continuous Improvement

Develop and monitor operational KPIs.
Identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, cost, and project turnaround.
Implement continuous improvement initiatives across Engineering and Operations.
Establish standardized processes and procedures to support company growth.
Monitor labour utilization and operational performance.
Provide recommendations to senior management regarding operational improvements and future resource requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum 5 years of progressive management or supervisory experience within aviation, aerospace, MRO, aircraft modification, engineering, or aerospace manufacturing.
Strong understanding of aircraft maintenance and/or aircraft modification operations.
Experience managing technical teams in a regulated aviation environment.
Experience working with Transport Canada regulations and aviation quality systems.
Strong understanding of project management, scheduling, manpower planning, and resource management.
Experience working with engineering and technical departments.
Strong leadership and team-building skills.
Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and Excel.

Preferred Experience

Transport Canada AME licence or aviation maintenance background.
Experience working within a Transport Canada-approved AMO.
Experience with aircraft modifications, STCs, engineering, certification, or installation programs.
Aerospace manufacturing or production experience.
Experience managing aircraft maintenance or modification projects.
Experience working with engineering and certification teams.
Project management experience or formal project management training.

Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on aviation or aerospace leader with the ability to manage both people and complex technical projects.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working between the hangar, Engineering Department, Production, Quality, customers, and senior management.

The Operations Manager must be able to understand technical issues, make sound operational decisions, manage competing priorities, and ensure Engineering and Operations work together effectively.

Strong communication, leadership, accountability, and problem-solving skills are essential.

Security & Eligibility Requirements

Must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada.
Candidates holding temporary work permits will not be considered.
Must be legally authorized to work in Canada without employer sponsorship.
Must be able to successfully pass a criminal record check.
Must be able to successfully complete required security and background checks.
Must be eligible to obtain and maintain any required Controlled Goods Program security assessment and/or customer-required security clearance.
Employment is conditional upon successful completion of all required screening and security assessments.

Key Performance Indicators

Success in this position will be measured through:

On-time project completion
Aircraft turnaround times
Engineering project delivery
Labour utilization and productivity
Project profitability and cost control
Quality and rework performance
Regulatory and audit compliance
Safety performance
Customer satisfaction
Employee performance and retention
Material and resource efficiency
Continuous improvement initiatives

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to take on a senior leadership position within the Canadian aerospace industry, working across Engineering and Operations and playing an important role in the organization's continued growth.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence operational strategy, develop teams, improve processes, and support the delivery of complex aircraft engineering, modification, maintenance, and manufacturing programs.

Operations Manager