Flight Operations Manager

Job Title: Flight Operations Manager
Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick
TP - FPL – 9183

Forest Protection Limited (FPL) is the largest 702 aerial operator in eastern Canada, with a legacy dating back to 1952 of protecting forests vital to ecosystems, communities, and regional economies. As a leader in forest health management, FPL provides aerial firefighting, pest management, and aerial survey services.

Licensed federally since 1977, FPL expanded its mandate in 1992 to offer a broader range of specialized services. Their highly trained team operates a modern fleet that includes eight 800‑series Air Tractor aircraft (the largest single‑engine aircraft in production), along with various support aircraft and customized equipment. Funded by the New Brunswick government and local forestry organizations, FPL invests heavily in research and technology to enhance response times, expand service capabilities, and maintain a uniquely equipped fleet unmatched in Canada and abroad.

Learn more about FPL: Forest Protection Limited

Meridia Recruitment is proud to partner with Forest Protection Limited in the recruitment of a highly capable Flight Operations Manager to support aerial operations and wildfire response.

Role Description

The Flight Operations Manager reports directly to the Senior Director of Operations and works within the FPL Flight Operations Department.

This role oversees pilot scheduling, flight planning, and operational logistics. You will coordinate aircraft and crew deployments, manage flight records, support training and compliance, and contribute to safety and business development initiatives. This management position is ideal for someone organized, adaptable, and ready to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the planning and execution of all aerial operational projects.
• Manage personnel (pilots, air crew and ground crew).
• Manage pilot schedules, flight planning, crew deployments, and maintain operational records and databases in alignment with company procedures.
• Liaise with clients.
• Develop and manage a departmental budget and project budgets.
• Develop and deliver operational training programs.
• Lead SOP and policy development, assist with flight audits, maintain training records, and contribute to regulatory updates and liaison activities (Transport Canada and other agencies).
• Promote safety standards, support continuous improvement, and contribute to policy and process development aligned with company growth.
• Provide briefings to leadership on project progress and performance metrics.
• Other duties as assigned.

Your Qualifications

You are a seasoned operational leader with a distinguished record of overseeing complex aviation activities. You demonstrate exceptional communication skills, excel at building productive relationships, and maintain a steady, composed presence when navigating high‑pressure or emergency situations.

Your qualifications include:

• A successful candidate who possesses a Commercial License or higher is an asset.
• Experience in a commercial air operation is an asset.
• Post-secondary education (Aerial Operations, Business Administration, Sciences, or Engineering for example) is required.
• 5+ years experience in an aviation environment as a pilot, dispatcher, operations coordinator, or air traffic controller is preferred.
• 5+ years of supervisory experience in a service-based business, preferably close to or directly related to emergency response.
• Project management experience.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated knowledge of Canadian aviation regulations.
• Clear writing style. Capable of writing and editing procedures, operational notices, and training materials in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel or other large data manipulation software.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Can communicate clearly and confidently in high-stress and high-paced environments. Can coordinate emergency response training events, or other training classes and events with relative ease.
• A good understanding of safety requirements as they relate to flight operations. A working knowledge of safety management systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of crew resource management.

If you’re looking to join an organization that’s essential to New Brunswick’s forest health and takes exceptional pride in what it does, please contact our team.