General Manager, Maintenance & Operations

The Company

PLH Dublin is an international professional aircraft fuelling company based in Ottawa, Canada. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of FSM Group headquartered in Orlando, FL. Its core businesses focus on airport fuel facility operations, commercial aircraft fuelling, and fuel equipment repair at multiple locations throughout North America.

The company provides into-plane fuelling services for some of the largest airlines in the world (such as Delta Airlines) at selected large hubs worldwide. Its executive team has a combined of over a century of experience and well recognised for their operational excellence. PLH Dublin adheres to the highest safety standards and works with key partners and clients to streamline processes, fix fuelling operations, and effectively cut costs without compromising safety or efficiency.

With a strong track record in the United States, PLH Dublin is now entering the Canadian market with their first physical operation in Vancouver International Airport. The Company has ambitious growth plans in Canada and it’s poised to have a headcount of 150 staff in the Vancouver operation. PLH Dublin’s mission is to create a transparent, open relationship with its partners, and it will continue to leverage its well-founded relationships with airport authorities, local fire departments as well as partners to provide impeccable services to its clients.

Key Pointers

PLH Dublin’s businesses span across into-plane fuelling services, management and maintenance of aircraft fuelling operations, as well as servicing, maintaining, and refurbishing various types of Ground Support Equipment, including baggage tugs, baggage carts, baggie dollies, catering trucks, hydrant carts, and hydrant trucks.

PLH Dublin’s parent company – The FSM Group, has been successfully and safely supplying aircraft with fuel for over a decade. In an average year, the Company fuels over 1500 aircraft per day or more. Its Into-Plane services covers all commercial aircraft (both passenger and cargo), ranging from regional aircraft to ultra-long-haul aircraft.

On the Maintenance and Operation side, FSM Group is an established service partner in the aviation fuelling marketplace. The Company is a proactive partner who takes a collaborative approach to aviation fuel maintenance and operations, and prides itself on its collaborative approach by listening to the needs of the client, establishing a plan, and successfully obtaining and/or exceeding the goals. The same philosophy will be applied at PLH Dublin.

PLH Dublin also offers refurbishment programs to help clients save significant costs by repairing and upgrading the machines rather than having the need to acquire new equipment. In addition, the Company provides oil changes, tune-ups, nightly checks, and wheel alignment on the respective machines to ensure the Ground Service Equipment is properly serviced and maintained.

Purpose of the Position

This is a key role that will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the on-airport Jet A fuel facilities, fuel receipts from pipelines, transport trucks, rail cars, ships, and barges, along with pumping and filtration equipment. The successful candidate will also proactively participate in all associated regulatory inspections at the local, state, and federal levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the Quality Service, Safety Management System, and Security Programs.
• Develop, manage, and adhere to annual fuel facility operating budget.
• Assist in management and administration of capital and expense special projects.
• Develop and maintain customer satisfaction at all times.
• Monitor supervisor reports and follow up all operational irregularities while enforcing employee work rules/regulations and report to Senior Management as required.
• Light travel for meetings and industry events, at times extended and flexible hours and the ability to grow in the Company.
• Develop and revise operational procedures as required by change of contract, regulation, policy, construction, and necessity.
• Coordinate fuel movements with the fuel scheduler and operations personnel and ensure proper physical inventory procedures are followed and properly documented.
• Maintain and monitor all contracts, leases, permits and agreements for compliance purposes.
• Manage all facets of the fuel facility operations on a daily basis.
• Manage, coordinate, and control all loss prevention responsibilities.
• As the Operator, lead the annual Consortium budget meeting and provide key budget variance explanations to the Consortium members.
• Monitor quality assurance programs, records, and fuel inventory management systems.
• Direct the workforce in their daily duties and maintain daily communication with employees, monitor workforce schedules, and all maintenance and operational requirements.
• Responsible for hiring and training all the relevant personnel to ensure an efficient and effective workforce is in place.

Year one critical success factors

• Instill operational excellence in the workforce with strong leadership and direction.
• Recruit the necessary talent locally to perform the required functions/tasks (refer to the proposed organizational chart below).
• Successfully setup the maintenance operation to service the customers with utmost safety and operational efficiency.

The Candidate

Experience and Professional Qualifications

• At least 12 years’ management experience preferably gained from an airport ramp/military base
• Exposure to aviation fuel safety knowledge and execution is essential
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and other required identifications/certifications
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in related field such as bulk fuel storage and handling
• Possess strong leadership skills in managing a unionized workforce

Skills and Competencies

• Sound judgment and a keen sense of reasoning, with the ability to solve problems rationally, take abstract information and to apply sound judgement based on experience to make effective decisions. Has the ability to see where altering course is necessary, failing fast and learning from mistakes.
• Possesses an established track record of creating, developing, and maintaining customer relationships.
• A positive, can-do attitude that is infectious throughout the organization.
• A visible, dynamic and engaged leader who is “out and about” in his/her organization.
• Deliver proven experience (with tangible outcomes and results), a can-do attitude, an ability to influence internal and external customers, and a leadership and communication style required to lead a unionized workforce
• Driven to deliver results, with demonstrated skills at delivering performance. Holds himself and his/her teams accountable for results.
• An effective team builder and leader who is inclusive and collaborative and has consistently led teams to deliver on common goals.
• Not afraid to get his or her hands dirty and do “real work” in the context of a growing company.
• Meet vision requirements such as close, distance, colour and peripheral vision for field and product quality observations.
• Very strong and well-developed people leadership and people development skills, with an ability to inspire and motivate staff.
• A growth mindset with a high degree of energy and drive.
• Ability to motivate and energize the team, while keeping pace in a dynamic environment, thriving under pressure, while seamlessly keeping the team inspired.
• Self-confident and determined. A confident, resilient, grounded executive able to handle challenging situations comfortably and calmly. Takes responsibility and leads the front, with sufficient gravitas to inspire and give confidence to all stakeholders.
• Able to meet an array of physical demands such as lifting 25-50lbs, standing for prolonged periods of time, climbing stairs, working in all-weather conditions, etc.