Service Center Operations Director

Our Company

With a history dating back to the Wright Brothers, Hartzell Aviation is a growing family of brands committed to innovation and the continuous improvement of general aviation and is owned by Arcline Investment Management, a growth oriented private equity firm who invests in niche, technology driven businesses in high value industries. Hartzell Aviation focuses on investing in world-class processes and leading-edge technologies to support today’s aircraft owners and operations. Each of the companies in the Hartzell Aviation family of brands is unified by the same guiding principle: Built on Honor. Built on Honor reflects a collective commitment to uphold the highest stands in quality, performance and support. Built on Honor is integral to everything we do.

Hartzell Propeller was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Piqua, Ohio. Hartzell Propeller is the global leader in advanced aircraft propeller design and manufacturing technology for general aviation applications – both piston engine and turboprop – as well as custom propulsion solutions for electric, hybrid-electric aircraft and advanced air mobility programs. In 2021, Hartzell Propeller acquired Tanis Aircraft Products to expand Hartzell’s heating products and expanded its offerings in the experimental propeller market with the acquisition of Whirlwind Propeller in 2024. Hartzell expanded its offerings in the MRO market with 2024 acquisitions of American Propeller Service, Texas Aircraft Propeller and Tiffin Aire Inc.

Job Summary

Hartzell Propeller seeks an energetic and hands-on Service Center Operations Director to provide leadership to the Service Center Team. The Director will run the day-to-day operations for a Part 145 repair station. This position must be a self-starter and able to make decisions based on FAA regulatory requirements. The Director will be required to participate/facilitate in meetings to address operational goals and constraints. The Director also will be required to monitor contractor performance, and adherence to the contract and customer requirements.

Key Deliverables of Position

1) Develop a cohesive and talented staff; nurture our winning culture

• Establish and support positive employee relations and employee involvement to ensure teamwork and positive morale
• Play a significant role in the hiring and onboarding of talent
• Identify contributors with potential to grow and provide development opportunities

2) Provide proactive leadership necessary to drive, develop and monitor critical metrics.

• Spot issues and opportunities in time to impact month-end results
• Drive Labor Utilization and Efficiency through the service center
• Oversee preplanned workloads to ensure a smooth flow of both priority and routine tasks. Ensure aircraft technicians and repair station staff receives appropriate training. Complete, maintain and process pertinent paperwork and records.

3) Provide leadership across all disciplines to ensure that the Service Center maintains a culture of quality, FAA/DOT compliance, and customer compliance

• Interface with support personnel and direct reports to ensure customer satisfaction. Assist program management by ensuring fulfillment of contractual obligations including cost, quality and schedules. Communicate with Design Engineers, Field technicians, and Quality Assurance regarding propeller modification issues and follows-up to make sure fixes are received and tested.
• Communicate maintenance, logistics, quality, safety and environmental issues to senior management when necessary.
• Coordinate and/or approve local operating and personnel actions, policies and procedures within the generalized framework of overall corporate guidelines
• Ensure adherence to established standards of individual performance and site discipline.
• Develop and implement work processes, standards, and policies for work conducted by technicians to ensure high levels of production and regulatory compliance.

Preferred Education/Experience

1) College degree preferred

2) At least 5 years of aircraft maintenance experience to include a minimum of 3 years in a supervisory/management role

3) Airframe & Powerplant certificate a plus

4) The ability to work with and understand maintenance manuals, maintenance programs, and reliability programs.

Required Technical Competencies

1) Excellent verbal and written communication skills

2) Proficient Computer Skills (MS-Office, Excel a must)

3) Knowledge of Repair Station Processes

• Teardown
• Search inspections
• Parts overhauls
• Assembly
• Stocking

4) Demonstrated experience managing complex projects and/or schedules

5) Disciplined Problem Solving

Required Behavioral Characteristics

1) Builds Strategic Working Relationships – Develops and uses collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals

2) Continuous Learning - Demonstrated ability to learn continuously and apply newly gained knowledge and skill on the job

3) Builds and Leads a Successful Team – a hands on leader who uses appropriate methods and a flexible interpersonal style to help build a cohesive team; creates strong morale and spirit; shares wins and successes; deeply engages with the team and is inquisitive about their area of responsibility.

4) Develops Others – Is a people builder who optimizes the team and holds them accountable; provides challenging tasks and assignments; is aware of each person’s career goals and development needs and develops their skills and abilities so that they can fulfill current or future job/role responsibilities more effectively.

5) Strategic Decision Making – Identify key strategic issues; obtain information and identify issues and relationships relevant to achieving a long-range goal or vision; commit to a course of action to accomplish a long-range goal or vision after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints, and organizational values.

6) Drives for Results – is an action-oriented leader who can be counted on to meet goals

We are a team that prides ourselves on a culture that supports shared values of empowerment, accountability, drive, integrity, and respect. Our team shares a deep commitment to safety, collaboration, and a love for all things aviation. We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being and professional growth including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance, 401(K) plans with employer match, company provided Growth Participation Units (GPU) and so much more. Our GPU benefit is unique to the industry and encourages all employees to think like owners and receive future financial reward for contributions to business growth. Join our team to be part of a culture that encourages growth and development and celebrates our success.

Hartzell Propeller has a pre-employment and random Federal Drug & Alcohol Testing requirement and tests for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines and phencyclidine in addition to alcohol.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veteran/Disability/E-Verify