Head of Department: Aircraft Trades

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

To lead, plan, control and coordinate the execution of all operational activities within allocated areas of responsibility by assigning team members to specific tasks and schedule work to ensure that activities are delivered as per the contractual agreement and within budget and aligned to relevant policies and procedures and regulatory requirements. To provide guidance on teaching methods, techniques, assessments and syllabuses for Aircraft Trades (including advance and type training).

Operation Management

Management of Curriculum

• Manage the development and review process of training manuals (learner & instructor guides across all aircraft disciplines) i.e., review and update training material and equipment.
• Manage process to ensure that assessments of learners are conducted according to the programme schedule.
• Continuously review assessments to ensure currency.
• Initiate procurement process timeously to ensure availability of training material for program readiness.

Administration

• Review and manage training schedule of training practitioners i.e., ensure it is compiled and implemented accordingly.
• Compile annual training plan for the department as per input from facilitators and key accounts.
• Manage the process of learner progress reports: - ensure that they are moderated, completed and delivered timeously.
• Manage employees and ensure consistent application of rules and regulations by Practitioners towards the learners.
• Evaluate practitioner and learner performance both theoretical and practical.
• Compile assessment statistics for audit reporting purposes.
• Align department targets to company targets.
• Revise annually the Training Procedure Manual (TPM) to ensure compliance.
• Lead and coordinate activities derived from the Training Academy Plan for areas of responsibility and engaged team members to align all on common goals.
• Identify facilities and training equipment upgrades to support operating methods and thereby contributing to efficiencies.
• Monitor and control productivity improvement measures to ensure acceptable levels of productivity are maintained.
• Identify and recommend innovative solutions to continuously improve the business, processes and procedures.
• Develop capacity plans to support operational requirements and application of lean principles.
• Execute organisational and production changes on an operative level.
• Provide regular feedback to Group Manager on the status of operations within areas of responsibility.
• Create and maintain an operational reporting system to ensure effective communication between various stakeholders and team members and transparency within the areas of responsibility.
• Manage timesheets capturing for project recoveries.
• Execute ad-hoc projects and other duties as assigned.

Audit and Compliance

• Ensures compliance to all relevant legislation and Company policies and procedures.
• Drive the awareness and adherence to policies processes and procedures to ensure that risks are managed and mitigated.
• Strong familiarity with aviation safety management systems (SMS).
• Participate in internal and external audits and timeously provide auditors with required information to ensure that deadlines are met.
• Implement agreed remedial measures on completion of audits.
• Perform activities in accordance to all policies and procedures to ensure compliance and minimise financial risk to the business.

Quality & SHE

• Manage and monitor training quality control measures.
• Advocate safe and compliant working conditions and efficient training practices.
• Ensure area of responsibility conforms to health and safety regulations.
• Validate quarterly inventory checks of all Company owned assets done by team.
• Manage adherence to quality standards of all of all regulatory bodies to support the Company to maintain current accreditations and apply for new accreditations.
• Ensure Safety awareness talks/topics are communicated and recorded.
• Ensure that monthly/quarterly safety inspections are conducted.
• Report on Injury on duty (IOD).
• Record and manage departmental risks.

Human Resource Management

• Lead and manage the team, providing direction, development and motivation to meet overall departmental and business objectives in line with the relevant HR policies and procedures.
• Engage staff and create a performance driven culture.
• Plan and assess the human resource requirements within the SHERQ team in accordance with the expected deliverables and allocate resources to meet departmental goals (workforce planning)
• Comply with the Talent and Performance Management approved processes and procedures in collaboration with the HRBP and the staff member in terms of: On-boarding of employees; Job Profile requirements; Performance Contract; Training and Development (includes PDP); Performance review and management; Coaching and mentoring; Succession planning and Employee relations.
• Actively participates in the recruitment process, including the writing of job specifications, the job interview process and on appointment in accordance with strategic objectives.
• Effectively communicates with the staff to discuss operational performance and business issues.
• Ensures the maintenance or reduction of costs without compromising on the delivery of the departmental objectives.
• Live the company values and exhibits behaviours to reflect the company culture.

Financial Management

• Provide inputs from departmental budget with regard to all operational and capital expenditure requirements as per the requirements of the area of responsibility.
• Manage expenses and capital budget by controlling operational and capital expenditure costs to remain within budget and address anomalies.
• Initiate and manage Equipment Upgrade projects.
• Conduct Asset Verification and ensure management of assets in department.
• Oversee the debtors and timeous invoicing to clients.
• Submit financial reports to management in collaboration with finance
• Continuously seek opportunities to reduce cost.

• Relevant trade certificate and tertiary qualification equivalent to NQF 6.
• Occupational Education Training Development Practitioner Certificate (OETDP).
• Registered Assessor and Moderator.
• South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Aircraft Training Organisation (ATO) license.
• 8 years post qualification experience in aircraft maintenance, repairs or overhaul and a training environment or similar field
• Minimum of 2 years as HOD in higher learning institution or in a supervisory capacity in a medium to large engineering/technical Company.
• Management experience at supervisor, senior instructional or quality assurance role within an aviation training facility.
• Experience in project management related to training. Complete lifecycle of projects.

Knowledge Requirements

• Competent knowledge Skills Development Act.
• Competent knowledge of Public Finance management Act (PFMA).
• Competent knowledge of Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA).
• Competent knowledge of National Skills Development Strategy III (NSDS3.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Competent knowledge of the service offerings of a Training Academy.
• Understanding the principles of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
• Competent knowledge of Service Level Agreements. (SLA)

Correspondence will be with short-listed candidates only. Should you not hear from us within 30 days after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Internal Applicants, please email a detailed CV and relevant qualification/s to: ***email_hidden***.

Closing date: 03 July 2026

External Applicants, please apply on PNet, do not forget to attach your CV and copies of relevant qualification/s.

DENEL is an equal opportunity employer and position will be filled in line with its EE targets.