Smart Aviation is looking for an experienced Chief of Ground Operations to support our next stage of growth. With the upcoming introduction of the Boeing 737 freighter, we need someone with strong experience in Boeing 737 cargo, passenger, and ground operations who can help ensure our people, processes, equipment, and stations are ready for this new chapter. Beyond our own operations, this role carries a much bigger opportunity. Smart Aviation already has a ground handling business with significant untapped potential, and we are looking for someone who can work closely with management to shape its future, identifying opportunities, developing new customers and services, and helping grow our ground handling to its fullest potential.
Responsibilities
- Lead Smart Aviation’s ground handling operations, including cargo and passenger services, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations across all stations.
- Prepare and manage ground handling readiness for Boeing 737 freighter and passenger operations, including procedures, manpower, GSE, training, load control, passenger handling, and station readiness.
- Serve as the company’s DGCA-accepted responsible manager for ground handling and ensure continued regulatory compliance.
- Develop and execute the strategy to grow ground handling division and business.
- Lead business planning and commercial activities, including budgets, P&L forecasts, pricing, investment proposals, SGHA agreements, and contract negotiations.
- Build a strong ground handling organization and develop relationships with airlines, cargo operators, freight forwarders, airports, regulators, and strategic partners to support long-term growth.
Requirements
- Valid Indonesian Flight Operations Officer (FOO) license.
- Valid Dangerous Goods (DG) license.
- Current and valid Boeing 737 rating or qualification (freighter and/or passenger) relevant to flight operations, dispatch, load control, cargo operations, or passenger services.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in ground handling, airline ground operations, cargo, or passenger services, including 5 years in a management or supervisory role.
- Strong experience in Boeing 737 freighter and passenger operations, including load control, dangerous goods, cargo handling, and passenger services.
- Proven track record in growing a ground handling business, including winning customers, increasing revenue, or opening new stations.
- Experience preparing business plans, P&L forecasts, budgets, and investment cases for GSE, stations, infrastructure, and manpower.
- Experience negotiating IATA SGHA agreements, commercial contracts, and handling rates.
- Strong network with airlines, cargo operators, freight forwarders, and airports in Indonesia. ASEAN network is an advantage.
- Strong commercial and leadership skills, with experience building teams, developing partnerships, and identifying new business opportunities.
- Fluent in Bahasa Indonesia and professional English.
- Non-smoker.
