Tradewind Aviation is a leading Part 135 commuter and on-demand private charter operator with operational bases at the Waterbury/Oxford, CT (OXC), Westchester, NY (HPN), Stuart, FL (SUA) and San Juan, PR (SJU) airports. Founded by aviation enthusiasts in 2001 on the premise that all flights deserve the highest quality aircraft, crew, and service, Tradewind provides personal air travel—both private and scheduled service—throughout North America and the Caribbean. 

For more details visit www.flytradewind.com

About the Candidate/Role

Tradewind Aviation is seeking a safety-focused Ramp Supervisor to lead below-wing operations at its San-Juan-Station. This hands-on position is accountable for the safe, accurate, and on-time execution of scheduled and charter flight turns involving Tradewind’s PC-12 operation. The Ramp Supervisor directs ramp assignments, aircraft marshalling and parking, baggage movement, cabin and catering readiness, GPU support, fueling coordination, passenger vehicle positioning, foreign-arrival support, and ground support equipment control. This leader ensures the team follows Tradewind’s Ground Operations Manual, station procedures, Safety Management System reporting requirements, airport rules, and aircraft-specific limitations while maintaining continuous coordination with Operations, Dispatch, Flight Crews, Maintenance, CBP/FIS personnel, FBO partners, and station leadership.

Essential Functions

• Lead daily below-wing operations for scheduled service, private charters, and irregular operations, using the Daily Sheet and operational updates to assign personnel and confirm coverage for each arrival, departure, and aircraft turn.
• Conduct shift briefings and maintain continuous radio communication with Operations, Dispatch, Flight Crews, Maintenance, and ramp personnel regarding aircraft status, parking positions, baggage, fueling, and operational priorities.
• Confirm ramp readiness before each movement, including FOD inspection, required personnel, passenger bus or van, baggage cart, GPU, chocks, cones, wands, and other assigned ground support equipment.
• Supervise PC-12 marshalling, wing walking, parking, chocking, coning, engine-start clearance, and departure-area checks in accordance with Tradewind procedures and aircraft safety-circle requirements.
• Ensure aircraft towing and repositioning are performed only by trained, qualified, and authorized personnel using the approved tow bar, tug, staffing, communication, wing-walker, and nose-gear limitation procedures.
• Direct inbound and outbound baggage functions, including bag-room coordination, PPBM and manifest reconciliation, interline transfer baggage, baggage-cart security, timely delivery, and immediate escalation of missing, damaged, or misrouted bags.
• Verify cabin readiness before boarding, including aircraft cleaning, catering coolers and snack baskets, bottled water, required cabin materials, and proper handling and documentation of regulated garbage.
• Coordinate GPU support, fueling requests, fuel-truck status, aircraft servicing, and equipment placement with Flight Crews and approved service providers; immediately address spills, defects, or unsafe conditions.
• Oversee passenger vehicle positioning and ramp-side passenger movement, ensuring vehicles remain within established speed limits and passengers are protected from aircraft, propeller, vehicle, and equipment hazards.
• Supervise foreign-arrival ramp support by staging personnel and equipment before arrival, securing the aircraft, deplaning passengers before cargo access when required, and transferring baggage to the designated CBP/FIS process point.
• Coordinate ramp support for FBO and wing-to-wing charter movements, including aircraft positioning, baggage transfer, fueling, cabin service, and communication with the assigned Tradewind representative and FBO personnel.
• Enforce required PPE, AOA driving restrictions, ramp speed limits, access-control procedures, safe aircraft approach angles, spotter requirements, and the prohibition against unsafe backing near aircraft.
• Inspect and control Tradewind vehicles, tugs, tow bars, GPUs, baggage carts, radios, keys, and ramp supplies; remove defective equipment from service and coordinate repair, replacement, fueling, charging, and secure storage.
• Train, coach, qualify, and document ramp personnel on PC-12 familiarization, marshalling, towing, baggage, cabin service, GSE, regulated garbage, radio communication, FOD prevention, and station-specific procedures before independent assignment.
• Stop the operation when an unsafe condition, unclear instruction, equipment failure, aircraft damage, security concern, or procedural deviation is identified; secure the area, notify the appropriate leader, and resume only after evaluation and authorization.
• Report aircraft damage, injuries, spills, near misses, hazards, security events, and operational irregularities through required company and SMS channels, and complete accurate shift logs and turnover documentation.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education in aviation, operations, logistics, safety, or a related discipline preferred.
• Minimum of two years of airline, airport, FBO, or ground-handling experience, including supervisory or team-lead responsibility in a high-tempo ramp environment.
• Practical knowledge of aircraft marshalling, wing walking, baggage and cargo movement, aircraft turns, fueling coordination, GPU support, cabin readiness, and ground support equipment.
• PC-12 ground-handling or towing experience preferred; successful completion of Tradewind aircraft-specific towing, ramp safety, GSE, and documented on-the-job training is required before independent authorization.
• Working knowledge of airport markings, movement and non-movement areas, FOD prevention, aircraft safety circles, AOA driving, PPE, access control, and restricted-area procedures.
• Ability to read and apply the Tradewind Ground Operations Manual, station SOPs, aircraft-specific procedures, safety instructions, operational checklists, and baggage documentation.
• Clear, disciplined radio and in-person communication skills, including the ability to coordinate effectively with Operations, Dispatch, Flight Crews, Maintenance, CBP/FIS personnel, FBO partners, and ramp teams.
• Strong leadership, accountability, situational awareness, sound judgment, and the ability to stop work and escalate concerns without delay.
• Professional fluency in English required; Spanish proficiency strongly preferred.
• Availability to work rotating shifts, early mornings, nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on scheduled service, charter activity, weather, and irregular operations.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record and ability to obtain and maintain SIDA, AOA driving, CBP access, and other required airport credentials.
• Ability to complete required background screening and safety-sensitive drug and alcohol testing and to use email, radios, mobile communication tools, and operational reporting systems.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, and work around aircraft and ground equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to repeatedly lift, carry, push, or pull baggage, cargo, supplies, and equipment weighing up to 70 pounds, with assistance when required.
• Ability to operate ground support equipment, vehicles, radios, and standard ramp tools after required training and authorization.
• Ability to work safely outdoors in varying weather conditions and near operating aircraft, vehicles, noise, and exhaust.

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced airport ramp environment with regular exposure to aircraft noise, vehicle traffic, jet blast, propeller hazards, fuel and exhaust fumes, and changing weather conditions.
• Work is performed primarily outdoors on the ramp and around aircraft, ground support equipment, service vehicles, and baggage-handling areas.
• Schedule flexibility is required based on flight activity, weather, charter movements, operational disruptions, and staffing needs.

Tradewind Aviation offers a competitive pay and benefits program for full-time team members:

• Comprehensive health and voluntary insurance plans
• Retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Standby travel on select Tradewind Aviation scheduled flights
• Discounted standby travel benefits on numerous major and regional US and international airlines
• A rewarding career path with opportunities for growth and advancement throughout the organization