In partnership with Pratt & Whitney and the Royal Netherlands Air Force, StandardAero has established F135 engine MRO capabilities in a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility, at the Logistics Center Woensdrecht (Airbase), in the Netherlands. This position will work out of the MRO facility on the Woensdrecht airbase in the Netherlands.  Initial MRO services include depot-level fan and power module MRO, with additional capabilities in development to support the growing international F-35 fleet. The new facility includes dedicated engine test capabilities. 

The F135 engine powers the F-35 Lightning II operated by the United States, international partner countries including The Netherlands, and additional countries through Foreign Military Sales. StandardAero’s Initial F135 capabilities include depot-level fan module MRO and power module MRO, with additional capabilities planned during transition to full depot capability.     

This exciting and challenging VP GM position has full P&L responsibility and provides leadership and strategic direction to the Business Unit Team.  In addition, the individual partners with and influences our key partners within Pratt & Whitney, the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the Dutch government and the local Works Council.

We are looking for an individual with experience partnering with OEMs in an MRO capacity who is interested in a 2-3 year expatriate assignment. If there is mutual interest, this assignment could transition into a permanent local position.

This position will have particular focus on continuing to establish rigorous manufacturing and quality principles at the facility along with leading the facility through significant growth over the next few years.

The successful candidate will possess exceptional communication & influence skills, a high degree of urgency, financial acumen, strong bias for action and a solid background with demonstrated results in operational excellence.
 

The position reports to the President of the Military, Helicopter and Energy Division and leads multi-functional leadership team consisting of Operations, Engineering, Quality and Program Management. 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures the highest standards of product quality through robust deployment of policies and procedures.
• Proactively and collaboratively partners with our key partners within Pratt & Whitney to ensure strategic alignment and customer satisfaction.
• Accountable for attaining annual revenue and EBIDTA goals.
• Leads and participates in the development of performance, efficiency and product quality standards for all production cells and service operations within the Business Unit.
• Ensures operational and financial goals are met through collaborative initiatives across a matrix organization.
• Monitors and measures critical operational performance metrics such as turnaround time, efficiency, utilization, safety and cost of poor quality as well as customer contract key performance indicators such as due date compliance and availability utilizing appropriate data and analytics.
• Participates in strategic business planning for revenue, EBITDA, manpower, equipment and facility capacity to support forecasted sales levels.
• Identifies and manages continuous improvement and cost efficiency projects to adapt to technological, legal, and regulatory, policy and product updates and changes. Plans and directs changes and updates to machinery and equipment, production systems and work methods.
• Develops and implements policies and programs to enhance the competitive position and profitability of the operation.
• Actively leads and participates in teams tasked with the development and implementation of customer contracts, strategic operating plans, budgets, goals and outcomes.
• Leads an effective team through proactive hiring, coaching, mentoring, and effective performance management.
• Contributes to overall leadership of StandardAero as leader of the Woensdrecht Strategic Team and a member of the Military, Helicopter & Energy Division Leadership Teams.

CORE BEHAVIORS

• Commitment to Quality - Demonstrates a steadfast commitment to quality by consistently upholding standards and systems and driving rigorous attention to detail and strict adherence to established processes.
• Stakeholder Partnership – Ability to build collaborative business partnerships in a complex organizational dynamic – balancing needs across multiple stakeholders to include Pratt & Whitney, other PSPs, Military of Defense and Corporate StandardAero.
• Building Effective Teams - Create strong morale within the team by fostering open dialogue, sharing wins and successes, delegating responsibility and allowing team members opportunities for growth.
• Innovation and Change - Devise opportunities to improve Business Unit financials and productivity and execute action plans through inspirational vision and rigorous attention to detail.
• Conflict Management – Practice focused listening, settle disputes equitably, find common ground and gain cooperation with minimum noise.
• Customer Focus - Meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers, acting with customers in mind at all times.
• Developing Direct Reports and Others – Construct and execute compelling development plans, demonstrate awareness of team member career goals. Provide challenging and stretching tasks and assignments.
• Drive for Results - Successfully meet or exceed goals and focus on business results. Push self and others to achieve results.
• Managing and Measuring Work – Set clear objectives and measures, monitor process, progress and results, clearly assign responsibility for tasks and decisions.
• Managing Vision and Purpose – Communicate a compelling and inspired vision or sense of core purpose, making the vision sharable by the organization.
• Motivating Others – Empower others, share ownership and visibility. Motivate direct reports and other team members.
• Problem Solving – Use rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; provide honest analysis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business Administration or related field and/or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in an Operational leadership role / role with delivered and sustainable results.
  • MRO experience is strongly preferred.
  • Experience in the military aviation market is an asset, but not required.
• Strong general turbine engine base of knowledge, including engine applications, technical knowledge and maintenance characteristics, familiarity with assemblies, modules, subassemblies, and individual components, and familiarity with OEM technical manuals
• Thorough understanding and working knowledge of Airworthiness Standards (AS9100, AS9110, AS9146) with a sub-bullet of experience with First Article Inspection is highly desired”. 
• Proven record of change management, operational excellence and continuous improvement achievements.  Thorough knowledge of Continuous Improvement, Lean Management System and Six Sigma methodologies. 
• Demonstrated inspirational leadership experience with core values centered on a participative communication style with a high degree of transparency and empathy; must naturally lead by example through physical presence, employee engagement and communication with all levels of the organization effectively.
• Strong business acumen and innate curiosity with a talent for finding and maximizing opportunities in order to collaborate and contribute to the success of the total business model, including support functions such as Engineering, Finance, Quality, etc.
• Strong customer service aptitude and skill in balancing customer demands with business unit priorities.
• English fluency is required.
• Ability to relocate to the Netherlands for a 2-3 year period is required.
• Ability to travel internationally is required.
• Ability to speak Dutch is a plus.