Head of Base Maintenance at Kenya Airways

Brief Description        

• The candidate will ensures the operational availability and operational integrity of the KQ fleet and third parties by Controlling maintenance in Base Maintenance; workshops (Avionics and Mechanical) (A and C checks) and hangar (A and C checks) to ensure safe and on time operation of Kenya airways and third parties aircrafts by organising, evaluating and optimizing the manpower and resource requirements whilst complying with regulatory and KQ requirements.
• He /She ensures that maintenance is carried out to acceptable aviation industry standards and best practices and that correct technical approach is adopted by initiating, organizing, structuring and developing policies to ensure safe and on time operation of Kenya Airways and third parties whilst complying with KQ and regulatory requirements.
• He /She sets targets that are qualitative and quantitative to the direct reports that are aligned to the corporate objectives for the applicable financial year so as to enhance utilization of ground time initiatives as a strategy for the future MRO growth and drive lower unit costs.

Detailed Description        

Principal Accountabilities (Responsibility)

Safety and Compliance

• Managing the base maintenance and facility to ensure all required scheduled maintenance, unscheduled maintenance and defect     rectification at the Base maintenance facility is accomplished in a timely manner to the defined KCAA/EASA Part-145 requirements and in accordance with quality standards required by KQ/Customer Procedures. Initiating applications for extension of base maintenance capability.
• Ensuring that optimum resources, tooling, equipment and facilities are available to accomplish the required maintenance. The direction of resources to ensure they comply with Company Procedures and achieve the required standards. The efficient management, control and maximum utilization of those resources and facilities to achieve efficient performance on time. Human factor issues must be considered all the time.
• Initiate and drive change in Aircraft /components maintenance in Base Maintenance by enforcing compliance to documented procedures.
• Develop and implement systems and procedures that will enhance Industrial safety environment.
• To ensure that all certification carried out in their area of responsibility is performed by the holder of a valid and appropriately endorsed authorization.
• To ensure that all authorization holders within their area of responsibility complete any required initial and continuation training necessary to maintain such an authorization.
• Maintaining quality & safety standards in Base Maintenance:
• SMS awareness
• Ensure in compliance with regulators (KCAA/EASA) rules
• Ensure in compliance with maintenance policy, processes and procedures
• Implementing KSPI’s
• Review hazards, near misses and incidences.

Aircraft Technical Performance

• Deliver Quality Aircraft /components maintenance using optimal resource to meet planned fleet utilisation targets.
•  Ensure technical safe, smooth and on time operations of Kenya airways flights for network integrity while maintaining Kenya Airways quality standards and procedures.
• Recording and reporting resource available and resource and material utilization during Base maintenance. Preparation of reports required monitoring activities associated with Base maintenance and workshops standards. Taking required actions to ensure optimum
• Efficiency is achieved by reviewing the reports and action taken.
• Control of leave allocation for staff under his jurisdiction to ensure that optimum staff levels are achieved at all times.
• Ensuring that the deferred maintenance items from Hangar is below 10% and reduce the number of open orders in the workshop.

KQ MRO Development Road Map 2020Implementation Actions

• Define and project Base Maintenance capability growth for future KQ fleet size and shape in the marketplace.
• Establish the required headcount and levels of staff that is required to position KQ MRO to the top in the marketplace.
• Implement Production control in Base maintenance to be the interface between the Airline/Third party and the execution team.
• Develop the MRO IT requirements for the workshops as Oases doesn’t have that capability to support workflow in the workshops.

Maintenance cost Optimisation and Control

• Ensuring that TAT ground times and budgeted maintenance slots are adhered to without over running them for scheduled maintenance, trouble shooting and control handling of unscheduled maintenance together with base maintenance and hence reduce OOST
• Timely provisions of parts and materials for defect closures by early ordering of parts and materials during planned checks
• Plan, manages and controls section budget to ensure proper utilization of resources while upholding departmental goals and objectives plus a costs efficient operation.
• Monitoring Base maintenance equipment and facilities and taking required actions to ensure its continued serviceability.

Enterprise Leadership (People, Operational Excellence, Distinctive Customer Experience)

• Strengthening of the Base Maintenance staff by ensuring staff receives adequate training to perform their duties effectively so as to improve Technical performance. The development and training of staff for progression within the organisation.
• Ensure that competence of staff matches their roles and implement leadership development program for all cadre of leaders in Base Maintenance.
• Mentor and coach direct reports through assessments, performance review and providing channels for improving performance and growth of their careers.
• Manpower scheduling by allocating and dispatching the necessary personnel within the Base Maintenance who can provide whatever maintenance, trouble-shooting, that is needed to support the operational phase of the activity.
• Monitoring and ensuring the desired aircraft internal and external appearance standards are achieved.

Job Requirements        

Qualification (Minimum)  

• Engineering degree or equivalent and aircraft engineering background.
• ICAO recognized License and applicable aircraft or components training and approvals.
• Management and leadership skills and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge in aircraft maintenance.
• Knowledge of KCAA/EASA requirements and Kenya Airways procedures.
• Experience of managing heavy/Line/outsourced maintenance operations.
• 10 years’ experience on Kenya Airways fleet maintenance.
• Minimum of 5 years of managing people.
• Minimum of 5 years of leading projects.

Additional Details        

Other Skills

• In-depth knowledge in handling and managing complex maintenance operations
• Strategic thinking / business understanding of Kenya Airways business always aligning deliverables to corporate strategy.
• Knowledge of KCAA/EASA/FAA regulations and requirements.
• Customer service ethos.
• Integrity
• Leadership skills that bring positive influence / good and excellent communicator to internal and external publics.
• Analytical skills for business forecasting and mitigation of the ever-dynamic challenges in the business environment.
• Creative/innovative
• Team player
• Result oriented / proactive
• Cost conscious in decision making and financial management.
• Flexibility 
• Stress resistance
• A coaching style of leadership, with specific focus on the development of others:
• Connect with your team and staff
• Set-up for success & results
• Guide your team and staff
• Challenge and inspire your team/staff
• Innovative and creative