Program Manager, Citation

West Star is the fastest growing maintenance repair organization in the industry and we recognize this is the result of our talented team of trusted employees working together to deliver customer service excellence. We are committed to providing our employees with personal and professional growth opportunities while fostering a culture of respect and well-being with a small company feel.

When you join our team we don’t think you should have to wait for your benefits to kick in. That’s why when you start, they start with you! This includes medical, dental, 401K match, time off accruals, weekly pay days and much more. We don’t want you to live to work, we want you to work and live.

What you can expect as a Program Manager, Citation at West Star Aviation:

This salaried exempt position has full responsibility for managing the Citation Maintenance Program at our East Alton, IL (ALN) facility. This includes leading a team of employees, overall customer satisfaction and P&L responsibility.

The successful incumbent will achieve results by building, developing, and leading a team of technicians to service, repair and return aircraft to service in a safe, high quality and timely manner. Standard working hours will be Monday- Friday 7am to 4pm but will vary based on business demands and customer needs including hosting customer dinners or other events.

You will be ESSENTIAL to many FUNCTIONS including:

• Under minimal supervision, exercise discretion and sound business judgment to deliver on time and squawk free customer service experience while adhering to all regulatory, safety, quality and company standards.
• Hire, assess, and develop employees at various skill levels to perform work in accordance with all applicable procedures and standards.  
• Review available manpower by skill and shift to plan short and long-term training needs along with hiring goals for an optimized workforce. Share manpower, when possible, with other Airframe Programs. 
• Engage employees for feedback on improvement opportunities or other job related needs to enhance the work environment and remove obstacles. 
• Partner with all departments to develop the workflow from pre-planning to aircraft delivery.
• Communicate status updates during routine operational meetings and attend customer meetings as required.
• Perform project-based planning to assign manpower, identify and prepare a recovery plan addressing any potential risks, schedule changes or other constraints. 
• Ensure all work is performed of the highest level of technical knowledge, in accordance with company and regulatory procedures, repair station manual, safety and quality standards. 
• Promote and hold employees accountable for a safe work environment to include proper use of all PPE, operation of support equipment, and general housekeeping. 
• Perform normal employee management tasks such as reviewing and approving time off requests, labor charges and expense reports; conduct quarterly performance pulses; provide regular coaching for performance and team developmental opportunities, share positive feedback and all other general employment matters such as hiring, training, conflict resolution, establishing work schedules, overtime assignments. 
• Develop positive relationships with peers to foster effective communication and teamwork for employees and customers alike.  
• Review material purchases, billing invoices and labor charges to determine cost/profitability. Communicate regularly with Billing to review and sign all final invoices. 
• Perform other related job duties as assigned.

What you’ll need to bring with you:

Your Education:

High school diploma or equivalent. 

Bachelor’s degree in management or other related degree preferred. 

Airframe and Powerplant License required. 

Aircraft specific factory training required.   

Your Experience:

10 years prior experience on turbine aircraft and systems. 

Experience in supervision. 

FAA paperwork, work order and billing process experience. 

Extensive customer service experience required.

Your Initiative:

Self-motivated and able to maintain a rapid pace. 

Process work with minimal supervision 

Lead and provide guidance to team members. 

Deal directly with customers and employees, including conflict resolution. 

Regular attendance to include after-hours and weekends when required.

Other particulars:

Supervision 

Will work with minimal supervision of General Manager  

Direct supervision of Team Leads and technicians.   

Working Conditions 

This work will be accomplished in both a hangar environment and office environment. 

Varied positions in and around the aircraft. 

Equipment Used  

Computer operating with Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Corridor (work orders) and scheduling programs. 

Desk phone and cell phone and other office equipment.