Job Description
Summary The General Manager of Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) is responsible for the
overall leadership, operational performance, and strategic growth of the MRO operation. The General
Manager is expected to be a hands‑on, working leader capable of stepping into the operation as needed to
address gaps, remove bottlenecks, and maintain workflow continuity while also serving as a strong people
manager who builds capability, accountability, and engagement across the team.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Operational Leadership
• Own full P&L responsibility for the MRO operation, driving safety, quality, delivery, and cost
performance.
• Lead daily operations to ensure on‑time delivery, regulatory compliance, and adherence to
customer and contractual requirements.
• Act as a working manager when required, stepping into the process to troubleshoot issues, cover
staffing gaps, or accelerate critical work.
• Identify, prioritize, and resolve production constraints in a high‑growth environment.
• Upholds Smiths Leadership Behaviors and Organizational Values of Passion, Integrity, Respect,
Ownership, Customer Focus, & Ethics.
• Consistently, regularly and predictably at work and on time.
People Leadership & Workforce Development
• Lead, coach, and develop a largely inexperienced workforce, establishing clear expectations,
structured training, and mentorship.
• Build bench strength through hiring, onboarding, cross‑training, and succession planning in a
tight labor market.
• Foster a strong safety culture, accountability mindset, and continuous improvement orientation.
• Partner closely with HR to address labor shortages and attrition.
Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance
• Ensure continuous compliance with 14 CFR Part 145, Repair Station Manual (RSM), Quality
Control Manual (QCM), training program requirements, and customer/regulatory standards, and
all applicable regulatory requirements (ie FAA, EASA, etc)
• Promote and enforce a “zero harm” culture across all levels of the organization.
• Train team members on safety rules and enforces safe behaviors. Conduct safety meetings, safety
observations, safety leadership tours, and incident investigations to ensure a culture of zero harm.
• Serve as the senior site leader responsible for repair station compliance, audit readiness, and
effective corrective and preventive action (CAPA).
• Ensure personnel authorization, training, and qualification requirements are met and documented
in accordance with Part 145 and company procedures.
• Develops and maintains sound internal control structure for business.
Continuous Improvement & Strategy
• Implement Lean, continuous improvement, innovation strategy, and capacity‑expansion
initiatives to support rapid market growth.
• Develop and execute strategies to balance demand growth with labor, tooling, and facility
limitations.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on long‑term growth planning, capital investments, and
capability expansion.
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
• Serve as a senior point of contact for customers, ensuring transparent communication and issue
resolution.
• Partner with supply chain, engineering, quality, and commercial teams to align priorities and
drive results.
• Promotes organization in industry, manufacturing or trade associations
Supervisory Responsibilities
Manages 2 subordinate supervisors who supervise a total of 40-60 employees in the Sales, Operations and
Engineering and manufacturing areas. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and
evaluation of these units. Also directly supervises 3-5 non-supervisory employees. Carries out
supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing
work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and
resolving problems.
Qualifications
Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential
duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability
required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
• Proven experience leading teams through growth, change, and operational constraint.
• Strong operational acumen with the ability to move seamlessly between strategic leadership and
hands‑on execution.
• Demonstrated success developing inexperienced or early‑career teams.
• FAA Repairman Certificate (preferred, not required).
• Experience serving as a working or “player‑coach” leader in an MRO or production environment.
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong understanding of aviation regulatory environments and repair station operations.
Education and/or Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aviation, Operations Management, Business, or a related field
(or equivalent experience) and 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Maintenance,
Repair & Overhaul, aviation, manufacturing, or a regulated industrial environment; or equivalent
combination of education and experience.
Key Competencies
• Exceptional people leadership and coaching skills
• Decisive, hands‑on problem solving
• Ability to thrive in a high‑growth, labor‑constrained environment
• Strong communication, influence, and stakeholder management
• Results‑driven with a strong sense of ownership and accountability
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.
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