Senior Project Manager – Digital MES (2 year FTC) in Cheltenham

The Senior Project Manager – Digital MES is responsible for delivering a new Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for our Cheltenham facility. This is the first site to be upgraded as part of a global programme of similar upgrades. Working closely with the IT project manager, this role owns the end-to-end deployment of the MES solution at Cheltenham. The post holder will have a strong emphasis on schedule, cost, risk management, production continuity, cross-functional collaboration, and supplier contract management. You will partner closely with plant leadership, functional teams and third-party suppliers to ensure the solution is delivered safely on time, within budget, and with minimal disruption to production.

Job Description

• Program & Delivery Management: Lead the full lifecycle of the site MES project from planning and requirements through design, build, test, deployment, and stabilisation. Develop and maintain an integrated site-level schedule covering process design, system configuration, infrastructure, data readiness, testing, training, cutover, and change management. Drive clear stage-gate reviews with site and functional stakeholders, ensuring decisions, scope, and priorities are documented and understood.
• Schedule, Cost & Risk Management: Establish and manage the site project baseline for schedule and budget, tracking progress, forecasting to completion and managing integration with global programme. Maintain a structured risk and issue log, with clear owners, mitigation plans, and follow-up. Proactively identify schedule and cost risks, propose recovery plans, and elevate issues when needed with recommended options.
• Production Continuity & Operational Readiness: Protect production continuity by planning cutovers, data migrations, and system changes around key production windows and customer deliveries. Work with shop leadership and supervisors to define readiness activities, including trials, simulations, and parallel runs where appropriate. Coordinate training, floor support, and hypercare to ensure a stable transition from legacy processes/systems to the new MES.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Lead a cross-functional site core team including operations, manufacturing engineering, quality, planning, materials, IT/OT, and maintenance. Facilitate decisions on process standardization, work instructions, and system configuration, balancing business requirements with solution standards. Ensure alignment with site safety, quality, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements throughout the project.
• Supplier & Contract Management: Partner with Sourcing and Legal to manage MES and related services suppliers supporting the site deployment. Oversee supplier performance against scope, schedule, cost, and quality commitments, including change requests and extensions. Conduct regular supplier check-ins and governance sessions to review progress, risks, and open actions.
• Stakeholder & Business Communications: Work with selected vendors to build and execute a communication plan for site leadership, functional stakeholders, and shop-floor users. Provide clear, concise project status updates, including milestones, risks, and decision needs, to site leadership and sponsors. Support change management activities, including user engagement, demos, and communications that explain impacts and benefits.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Information Technology, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Extensive project management experience delivering complex digital or manufacturing system projects within a highly regulated industry sector environment.
• Demonstrated experience implementing MES, ERP, or similar shop-floor systems in a live production environment.
• Proven ability to manage schedule, budget, and scope with measurable results.
• Strong risk and issue management capabilities, with experience driving mitigation and escalation.
• Experience working with external suppliers and managing contracts, statements of work, and performance.
• Proficiency with project management tools for scheduling, resource planning, and reporting.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• Formal project management certification (PMP, Prince2, or equivalent).
• Experience in aerospace, aviation, or other highly regulated manufacturing industries.
• Direct experience with MES platforms (for example, IbaseT Solumina, GE Vernova Proficy, Siemens Opcenter, Rockwell FactoryTalk, or similar).
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders from the shop floor to site leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence in a matrixed environment.

Flexible Working: GE supports and encourages flexible working arrangements, where possible, and recognises the benefits to employees of having a positive work-life balance.

Total Reward: At GE Aerospace we understand the importance of Total Reward. Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.

Security Clearance: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security.

Right to Work: Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post.