General Manager - Cargo and Ground Operations (1822)

Avfuel Corp; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Avflight Detroit Metro is seeking a General Manager to oversee the DTW station’s cargo operations, aircraft/ramp handling, and full aviation services scope. You will drive revenue growth, control costs, manage budgets, and maintain a safe, productive work environment for stakeholders.

The role requires building relationships, expanding services, and achieving KPIs while ensuring compliance and high-quality service across the site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation or warehouse management or a related field preferred.
• Operational cargo and/or airline experience preferred; prior supervisory or management experience required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate cargo warehouse and aircraft/ramp handling activities, ensuring service delivery in accordance with airline contracts and SLAs.
• Ensure operational excellence through effective people management and proactive risk mitigation to minimize service failures.
• Lead the team on operational safety, security, and compliance; promote a culture of safety with CAPA for incidents.
• Oversee maintenance of building, office infrastructure, warehouse facilities, and ground support equipment (GSE).
• Arrange work schedules and staffing levels for optimum efficiency across operations.
• Own complete P&L responsibility for the station, including revenue, expenses, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Develop and maintain relationships with customers, airlines, and airport authorities to grow revenue and market presence.
• Perform leadership functions such as hiring, annual reviews, and managing direct reports.
• Maintain a professional, organized, and safe work environment; adhere to policies and laws.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem‑solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aviation or warehouse management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Avflight Detroit Metro - Detroit, MI 48242

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: 4 Year Degree

Job Shift: Any

General Purpose of Job:

The General Manager is responsible for the overall performance of the DTW station, with a primary focus on cargo operations and aircraft/ramp handling, while also overseeing the full scope of aviation services required to support airline and cargo operators. This role oversees complete profit-and-loss (P&L) responsibility for the station, including revenue growth, cost control, and budget performance, and is expected to build and grow the business by developing new customer relationships, expanding service offerings, and identifying opportunities within the local air cargo and aviation community. The General Manager ensures safe, organized, and efficient operations; serves as the primary point of contact between airline/customer partners at the station; and drives continuous improvement to meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) while maintaining a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for internal and external stakeholders.

Duties:

• Direct and coordinate cargo warehouse and aircraft/ramp handling activities, ensuring service delivery in accordance with airline contracts, service level agreements, handling instructions, and procedural manuals
• Ensure operational excellence through effective people management, encouraging open lines of communication and accountability; as well as identifying risks and problems in a proactive and anticipatory manner to mitigate service failures and minimize unforeseen problems
• Lead the team on operational safety, security, and compliance; promote a culture of safety through daily observation, shift briefings, routine audits, and documented procedures, including corrective and preventative actions (CAPA) for accidents and other emergencies
• Oversee timely, proper maintenance of building and office infrastructure, warehouse facilities, and ground support equipment (GSE)
• Arrange work schedules and staffing levels for optimum efficiency across scheduled and non-scheduled operations.
• Own complete profit-and-loss (P&L) responsibility for the station, including revenue, expenses, and billing accuracy; monitor forecasting and budgeting, and manage performance against budget and audit results
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers, airlines, and airport authorities; identify and pursue new business opportunities, service lines, and accounts to grow station revenue and market presence
• Perform leadership functions such as hiring, conducting annual reviews, and managing the performance of direct reports, as well as day-to-day tasks such as time and attendance, PTO, scheduling, and overtime management
• Maintain a professional, organized, and clean work environment; carry out management responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation or warehouse management or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience in an operational environment.
• Operational cargo and/or airline experience preferred; prior supervisory or management experience required;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); general knowledge of business management, budgeting, and accounting principles
• Excellent verbal and written communication and leadership skills, with the ability to delegate effectively.
• High degree of customer service and quality awareness; ability to work efficiently under time constraints and varied hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and to deputize when away
• Must be 18 years or older, pass background check, pre-employment drug test, and security threat assessment, and obtain applicable security clearance
• Must have authorization to work in the U.S., hold a valid driver's license, and pass all airline-required trainings

Competency/Behavioral Requirements:

• Reliable, responsible, and dependable; leads with purpose and by example, and fulfills obligations
• Strong degree of independence with the ability to analyze problems critically and take decisive action; anticipates problems with a proactive mindset geared toward business growth and sustainability
• Maintains composure and professionalism under pressure and in high-stress situations; accepts constructive criticism and is open to change and variety in the workplace
• Willing to take on new responsibilities and challenges; pleasant, good-natured, and cooperative, with sensitivity to others’ needs
• Able to communicate effectively with non-native English speakers

Physical Demands :

Must be able to carry 50 pound suitcase from the floor to 18 inches and carry 50 pound suitcase in front of you with both hands for a distance of up to 25 feet; must have physical dexterity sufficient to perform repetitive tasks and motions, including bending at the waist and knees, squatting, kneeling, crawling, twisting and sustaining those positions for extended amounts of time. Must have sufficient vision and ability to safely perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment:

This role is based in an airport environment and requires the ability to manage operations seven days a week, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, depending on operational need. Work involves both indoor and outdoor tasks, including extreme outdoor conditions and temperature ranges. This position is 100% on-site, with occasional travel (approximately 5%) as required.

EEO/AA