Aircraft Maintenance Manager

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2024 revenue of approximately $9.4 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

Responsibilities

We are a global specialty materials company seeking an experienced Aircraft Maintenance Manager to lead maintenance, airworthiness and regulatory compliance for our corporate flight department. The department currently operates two large-cabin Gulfstream business jets (Gulfstream G450/G550). This role ensures safe, reliable, and compliant aircraft availability to support CEO, Senior Executive Team, Board of Directors and business travel worldwide.

Key responsibilities
•    Lead and manage all maintenance, inspection, and airworthiness activities specifically for Gulfstream G450 and G550 aircraft, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations (FAA Part 91, EASA/other international authorities where flights operate) and company policies.
•    Develop, implement and manage the aircraft maintenance program for company aircraft, including scheduled maintenance, structural inspections, AD/SB management, service bulletin implementation, and life limited parts tracking.
•    Maintain complete, audit ready technical records and logbooks for company aircraft (airframe, engines, APU, avionics, and structural records).
•    Oversee day to day maintenance operations with in house technician and third party MROs experienced on company aircraft (line and heavy maintenance, avionics shops, engine shops). Hire, mentor and evaluate maintenance personnel and contractors.  Perform line maintenance as required with aircraft maintenance technicians.
•    Coordinate closely with the flight operations team to support dispatch reliability, trip maintenance planning, and contingency responses for unscheduled maintenance.
•    Manage and optimize maintenance budgets, forecasting, spare parts inventory (including critical rotables and LRUs), and vendor contracts. Negotiate service agreements with authorized service centers and specialized MROs.
•    Administer the aircraft reliability program, tracking dispatch reliability, MEL/CDL usage, and corrective action plans for maintenance issues on company aircraft. Produce maintenance KPIs and executive reports.
•    Champion Safety Management System (SMS) practices for maintenance activities; lead maintenance related investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions.
•    Prepare for and support internal and external audits (regulatory, corporate, insurance) and manage findings to timely closure.
•    Serve as primary technical liaison with aircraft OEM, engine manufacturers, avionics suppliers, and regulatory authorities.
•    Ensure proper handling of international travel requirements: customs documentation for aircraft parts, and export/import logistics when performing maintenance overseas.
•    Manage the maintenance and upkeep of company hangar facilities, property, tools and equipment.  To include managing hangar fuel farm and oversight of contracts for hangar supplies, service and upkeep.  

Required Qualifications

•    Bachelor’s Degree
•    FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate required. Inspection Authorization (IA) or the equivalent is highly desirable. Equivalent international certifications accepted with substantial corporate aviation experience.
•    Minimum 7+ years’ aircraft maintenance experience, including at least 3 years in a supervisory/management role supporting business aviation. Direct, hands on experience with Gulfstream G450 and G550 aircraft and systems is required.
•    Deep, practical knowledge of G450/G550 airframe systems (pressurization, environmental control, flight controls, landing gear), engines/APU, and Gulfstream specific maintenance requirements and best practices.
•    Proven experience managing ADs, SBs and structural inspection programs for Gulfstream large cabin business jets. Familiarity with G450/G550 structural inspection intervals and corrosion prevention programs preferred.
•    Demonstrated experience with main