Manager: Backshops at South African Airways (SAA)

Job Purpose    

• To manage and direct SAAT Base Maintenance Backshops in accordance with SLA’s, company and clients’ requirements. The incumbent will be responsible for managing the staff schedules, quality standards, safety and regulatory requirements.

Principal Accountabilities    

• To manage and direct the Backshops of Projects (Base Maintenance) in line with regulatory requirements to ensure delivery as per SLAs and quality standards
• Manage Backshops functions, including modifications, installations, repairs to ensure that it is performed using approved maintenance data and it meets regulatory requirements.
• Manage the installation and repair of trim items to ensure that it meets the correct standard to meet international regulatory requirements.
• Manage material and tools to ensure the maintenance of all systems
• Evaluate situations with regards to the maintenance of repair of aircraft components and apply effective systems, methods or contingency plans to normalize the situation
• Update and amend workshop quality work instruction manual on a regular basis
• To establish and manage the section’s budget in line with SAAT Operations objectives
• Contribute to establishing the annual budget, plan and review the capital budget in line with SAAT operations strategy/ objectives and produce reports to track expenditure as required
• Manage invoicing processes to ensure timeous and efficient generation of correct invoices and minimize cash flow issues
• To enforce compliance to Quality Standards and Regulations to minimize SAAT’s exposure to risk
• Enforce adherence to all regulatory, safety and compliance requirements
• Manage delivery of work in line with the relevant regulatory requirements and where required, put contingency plans in place to reduce risk for the organization
• Continually seek ways to improve performance, efficiency and maximize the use of resources. Track performance, especially deficiencies, and put contingency plans in place to prevent a recurrence of the same deficiency
• Manage the environment and keep it at the required standards of health and safety and comply with policies and procedures, as well as client SLA’s
• Oversee safety training and aware campaigns to ensure that staff are kept up to date.
• To maintain customer satisfaction at highest level to maintain relationships
• Manage relationships and service levels so that customers always receive the highest level of service and quality workmanship in accordance with applicable technical handling contracts and SLA’s
• Provide input, to the Marketing Department, into pricing costs and timelines for customers to offer competitive pricing and contracts.
• To manage the sections human resources in line with SAAT’s HR Policies and procedures
• Recruit staff per the section’s staffing demand
• Identify the training needs of the section’s staff and oversee their development to ensure and maintain competence
• Develop performance contracts for all direct reports in line with the Projects (Base Maintenance) department’s objectives, conduct performance appraisals to measure productivity and meet objectives
• Initiate appropriate Labor Relation action within the section where necessary
• Adhere to all HR policies and procedures

Qualifications & Experience    
Education :

• Relevant Degree, N6, or equivalent plus 7 years experience.
• Relevant diploma plus 9 years experience

Experience :

• Operations Management with 4 years in a supervisory position
• 3 years in a unionised environment with large headcount

OR

• Operations Management with 5 years in a supervisory position
• 5 Years in a unionised environment with large headcount

Knowledge and Skills    
Knowledge :

• Aviation rules and regulations
• Cost control and Revenue consciousness
• Quality management system
• Sound knowledge of LRA and associated acts 
• Industry related knowledge

Skills :

• Interpersonal Skills
• Project Management Knowledge
• Financial Management 
• Leadership

Attributes    
Behavioural Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking
• Conceptual Thinking
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• Customer Service Orientation
• Integrity

Deadline:4th December,2025