Senior Operations Manager

Kamaka Air•Honolulu, HI

5d•$100,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Operations Manager will be responsible for ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient operations across all island routes. This role owns the daily operating plan from customer order to confirmed delivery, managing both the Honolulu hub and remote island stations. Key focus areas include on-time performance, service quality, operational efficiency, cost management, and team readiness. The manager will lead a team of ground operations personnel, including warehouse/cargo handlers, ramp and ground support, customer service representatives, and island station staff, ensuring adherence to all safety and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

7+ years of progressive operations experience in air cargo, aviation, or logistics.
3+ years leading teams in a Part 135, Part 121, or air cargo ground handling environment.
Demonstrated end-to-end operational ownership — customer order/scheduling through ground handling and delivery — in a deadline-driven, overnight or early-morning operation.
Working knowledge of FAA regulations, TSA cargo security requirements, OSHA, and hazardous materials (49 CFR / will-carry or will-not-carry) handling.
Proven ability to lead frontline teams across multiple sites and shifts.
Strong scheduling, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Strong computer skills, including operations/flight management systems and Microsoft Office.
Ability to lift and carry up to 75 pounds and assist with cargo handling as an operational lead.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, and work on feet for extended periods, and to work at a computer.
Ability to obtain and maintain airport security badging (SIDA) and a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in logistics, aviation management, business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Experience with lean operations (5S, standard work, visual management) in a warehouse, ramp, or hangar setting.
Multi-station or remote/outstation management experience.
Hawaii inter-island or regional cargo experience.
Hazmat, load planning/weight & balance, and forklift or GSE certifications.

Responsibilities

Own the daily operating plan from customer order and booking through scheduling, flight assignment, and confirmed delivery across all four island routes.
Lead front desk and customer service intake — cargo acceptance, documentation, dangerous goods screening, weights, and cutoffs.
Build and manage daily flight load plans with Flight Operations, balancing scheduled commitments, charter requests, and priority freight.
Serve as senior operational point of contact for key customers and resolve service issues.
Direct daily hangar and warehouse operations: sortation, island staging lanes, UPS/USPS canister receipt, build-up, and aircraft loading/unloading.
Champion lean operations — 5S, visual management, and standard work — to increase throughput.
Ensure ground support equipment, vehicles, forklifts, and fuel operations are serviceable, inspected, and ready; drive preventive maintenance.
Own station performance at OGG/JHM, MKK, and LNY: staffing, ground handling, turnaround times, equipment readiness, and local vendor/airport relationships.
Standardize processes across stations and travel regularly to each island station.
Plan station coverage and contingencies for weather, mechanical, and schedule disruptions.
Enforce strict adherence to FAA Part 135 ground handling requirements, TSA cargo security programs, OSHA, and 49 CFR hazardous materials regulations.
Conduct safety audits, briefings, and recurrent training for ground, front desk, and cargo handling personnel.
Own incident reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
Partner daily with Flight Operations and Maintenance & Engineering to protect the schedule and resolve issues.
Report weekly and monthly on operational KPIs — OTP, dispatch reliability, damage rate, load factor, cost per flight — with actions to close gaps.
Manage the ground operations budget: overtime, staffing levels, equipment, and station costs.
Own shift scheduling and staffing coverage across the 1:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. operating window, seven-day operation, and island stations.
Hire, train, evaluate, and develop team members; build bench strength and shift-lead capability; maintain a positive, safe, accountable culture.