1. DARREN RIDINGS
1383 Boulder Creek Crescent, Mississauga ON, L5J 4N7
Tel: Email: darren6324@gmail.com
General Manager, Director, Executive
Diligent and seasoned SENIOR GENERAL MANAGER of OPERATIONS with 30 years of knowledge and
experience in diverse managerial and technical roles in the automotive, facility and airline industries. Offers
diverse, results-focused managerial style accrued in union and non-union environments, along with
comprehensive technical knowledge in various fields. Brings demonstrated ability to identify and implement
process improvements, combined with advanced training in Six Sigma practices. Possesses intimate knowledge
of difficult cost vs. revenue decision-making as well as top-level leadership experience with oversight of over 30
concurrent operations. Seeking opportunity to leverage wealth of talent and experience in a dynamic executive
role within a forward-focused organization.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Fleet Operations Management
Airline Ground Support Equipment
Preventative & Corrective Maintenance
SMS Orientated
Cross-Organizational Leadership
Interdepartmental Coordination
Project Management
Workflow Prioritization & Delegation
Six Sigma Practices
Union & Non-Union Environments
IOSA and Safety Auditing
High-Level Decision-making
Process Improvements
Cost vs. Revenue Planning
Budget & Finance Management
Information Technology
CAREER HISTORY
AIR CANADA, Mississauga ON, 1996-2016
GENERAL MANAGER – GSE OPERATIONS 2009-2016
MANAGER – CORPORATE GSE SUPPORT 2006-2009
GSE SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT 2004-2006
GSE SIX SIGMA GREEN BELT 2003-2004
GSE FACILITY MANAGER 1998-2003
LICENSED TECHNICIAN & WORKSHOP FORMAN 1996-1998
•
As
GENERAL MANAGER for GSE Operations, assumes oversight of ground support equipment assets in 21
Canadian, 19 US cities and 37 International cities, representing over 98K GSE assets.
• Capably administrates gross annual operating budget of over $40M in addition to $20-30M capital budget
for fleet renewal, validating cost effectiveness of all equipment yearly.
• Handles the complete spectrum of general management accountabilities from executive-level reporting,
administrative support and staff leadership at the managerial level, with 9 direct reports and 285 indirect reports.
• Persistently drives internal projects through staff in all locations to effect system-level cost reduction
measures applying Six Sigma principles in enhanced efficiency and quality management.
• Actively solicits third party work from revenue generators, driving initiatives to offer services on up to 1700
external customer vehicles, cultivating this revenue source from $1M to $4M + annually.
Summary: Recruited by major national airline as a Ground Support Equipment technician, achieving rapid
promotion to a managerial position due to leadership experience in unionized environments, then assigned
to Six Sigma cost reduction role, achieving Green and Black Belt certifications. Promoted to management
position with oversight of GSE support across 21 cities, ultimately ascending to GM role covering Air
Canada GSE operations for 21 Canadian and 19 US cities and 37 International cities.
2. CONTINUED...
DARREN RIDINGS PAGE 2
CAREER HISTORY CONTINUED...
As GENERAL MANAGER – GSE Operations with Air Canada:
• Oversees third party maintenance of Air Canada Ground Equipment in Continental US, Alaska and Hawaii to
ensure routine maintenance is performed, as well as auditing and remitting payment to vendors.
• Handled specialized events including Prime Minister and Parliamentary road shows, Pope’s visit to Canada,
and G8 and G20 events.
• Achieved department-wide cost reductions of 20% within initial year of tenure.
• Entrusted with security clearance for all Canadian airports, sanctioned by the federal government.
• Project manage Information Technology initiative to track Air Canada support equipment assets.
• In MANAGER – Corporate GSE Support role, assigned expanded authority by executive leadership to
oversee GSE operations from Toronto in 21 manned locations across Canada.
• As GSE SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT applied Six Sigma industrial process improvement principles to
optimize equipment and manpower usage in a new facility netting cost savings of $500K.
• Streamlined scheduling and purchasing processes to reduce operational and labour costs, as well as
reconfiguring existing equipment to prevent incurrence of aircraft damage.
• In GSE SIX SIGMA GREEN BELT capacity, was selected to undergo training in Six Sigma industrial process
improvements to facilitate the merging of two unionized workforces following the merger of Air Canada and
Canadian Airlines in 2003.
• Proactively assesses processes and identifies excess costs to develop effective workflow solutions.
• As GSE MANAGER, seamlessly absorbed managerial position filling a retirement vacancy, overseeing
function and maintenance of the Terminal 2 baggage system and passenger loading bridges at Pearson
International Airport.
• Ensured smooth flow of 26K+ daily baggage items through 2 miles of baggage system conveyor from check
in to aircraft, with charge over a 20 member maintenance crew, requiring 24/7 availability.
• Took lead role on system overhaul in order to incorporate newly required security implements, as well as a
renewal of the trans-border baggage system.
• Contributed invaluable assistance in transition from MTO to GTAA authority, reviewing proposals and
pertinent reports, actively maintaining efficiency of passenger flow during construction period.
Additional Experience:
WORKSHOP SERVICE MANAGER/LICENSED TECHNICIAN Goodyear Canada, Etobicoke, ON
MANAGER -WORKSHOP CONTROL/AUTO MECHANIC Quick’s for Ford, Manchester, UK
Factory trained by Ford with City and Guilds Certification
EDUCATION & TRAINING
PLC Electrical Course I Automotive Electrical Course I,
Humber College, Toronto, ON
Diploma with Honours in Applied Technical Studies,
Diploma of Technical Studies
Manchester College, Manchester, UK
Licensed Class “A” Automotive Technician Licensed Truck & Coach Technician Licensed Millwright
Certified Propane Technician Ozone Depletion Prevention Certified
