Lead, Technical Materials, ASE, Tooling & Facilities

Kenya Airways PLC is an airline founded in 1950, based in Nairobi, Kenya, operating in the aviation industry.

The purpose of this role is to guide new system implementations and enhancements, providing insights to stakeholders for planning, directing, and coordinating aviation support services. The role also involves developing market insights for the MRO sector, including growth opportunities. A key focus is on establishing strategic inventory, tooling, and ASE control processes to maintain operational and maintenance continuity. This position requires close collaboration with internal and external parties to ensure a consistent supply of materials for maintenance requirements, delivering efficient and flexible solutions. The role also entails developing and coordinating warehouse storage and distribution strategies for all technical materials, equipment, and tools to ensure timely availability and effective business support. Furthermore, the incumbent will ensure that all corrective maintenance activities are completed by outsourced facility maintenance contractors within agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) through performance monitoring and regular reviews. Technical asset management and daily oversight of materials in outstation and outsourced consignments globally are also part of the responsibilities.

1. Contribute to developing and implementing best practices for inventory control vision, strategy, policies, processes, and procedures to enhance operational performance.
2. Develop tactical and operational plans aligned with departmental strategic directions.
3. Implement material movement transaction processes for all KQ inventories, ensuring accurate and timely recording of operational costs for effective cost management and reporting.
4. Develop and coordinate stock management policies and procedure guidelines across the network, ensuring alignment with business development strategies.
5. Support third-party maintenance and business functions.
6. Develop an asset management framework.
7. Oversee receiving, issuing, and transportation operations by enforcing company policies and procedures.
8. Implement measures to ensure all aircraft spares, tools, and materials comply with specifications and airworthy documentation upon receipt, storage, control, security, handling, and delivery as per KCAA and KQ requirements, with accurate OASES system recording.
9. Manage inventory levels through cycle counts and physical counts, reconciling results with OASES data.
10. Monitor contracted consignment stocks, ensuring timely inventory reconciliation and reporting.
11. Ensure efficient distribution of technical materials to third-party MRO clients.
12. Implement and manage free-trade zone operations within the bonded warehouse.
13. Continuously design and implement flexible solutions to improve business efficiency, drive process improvements, and add value.
14. Provide strategic and operational information, reports, and metrics to the business as required.
15. Report on target achievement and identify corrective actions.
16. Maintain the physical condition of the warehouse by planning new layouts and ensuring regular repair and maintenance.
17. Monitor material movement in outstations.
18. Manage, coach, and develop a high-performing team to meet objectives and deliver best practices.
19. Plan for leave, training, appraisals, hiring, orientation, coaching, and mentoring of front-line supervisors.
20. Set departmental objectives/KPIs and assess direct reports' performance.
21. Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental policies.
22. Monitor the performance of contracted staff to ensure targets are met.
23. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to forecast, plan, and ensure on-time material availability, preventing maintenance disruptions.
24. Lead internal and external relationships for consistent, timely, and effective communication regarding material availability.
25. Work with cross-functional teams to deliver effective solutions.
26. Liaise with stakeholders on product change requests, reviewing and communicating their impact on material availability and schedules.
27. Support new business initiatives and projects, contributing to review meetings and change processes, ensuring effective implementation.
28. Contribute to supplier meetings and negotiations to meet material demand.
29. Resolve supplier concerns and evaluate supplier performance in conjunction with the materials management and procurement team.
30. Work closely with the purchasing team to maximize purchasing strategies.
31. Comply with Health, Safety, and Environmental Policies.
32. Support, encourage, and develop the team.
33. Proactively contribute to a positive team atmosphere.
34. Develop and implement the annual budget for Technical Stores.
35. Prepare regular management reports to support decision-making.
36. Approve and review all freight invoices for proper billing, disputing charges when necessary.
37. Review and approve freight invoices, checking for fairness, accuracy, and conformity with contracted terms.
38. Work with stakeholders to develop, maintain, and manage supplier contracts for improved material availability.
39. Continuously evaluate the functional capability of the aircraft MRO system (OASES) to optimize business information exchange for planning and operations.
40. Liaise regularly with Material Planning to develop and review aircraft materials stock holding policy for adequate and cost-effective inventory.
41. Develop continuous process improvement initiatives for Technical Stores, such as KQ Way.

1. Excellent interpersonal skills.
2. Highly skilled communicator with the ability to build and maintain strong internal and external relationships.
3. Proven analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills.
4. Unquestionable integrity and ethics.
5. Experience in delivering results through cross-functional collaboration.
6. Knowledge of KQ Way Practices.
7. Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and influencing skills.
8. Results-oriented and organized, with the ability to plan and meet deadlines.
9. Excellent attention to detail.
10. Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
11. Commercial and financial acumen.
12. Proficiency in computerized inventory control systems.
13. Proven management skills with the ability to optimize team performance and development.
14. Expert knowledge and understanding of various aviation processes, component handling, and supply chain management.
15. Experience in asset management.
16. Knowledge of aircraft parts airworthiness certification (EASA, FAA), KCAA, and customs regulations relevant to aircraft parts.
17. Strategic thinking and business understanding.
18. 8 years of experience in material management or supply chain operations, with at least 3 years in a management role.
19. 5 years of experience in an aircraft maintenance environment preferred.