At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead site planning, translating demand into production schedules and driving continuous improvement.
- Company: Join GKN Aerospace, a leader in innovative air travel solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, flexible hours, and extensive perks.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with excellent training and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a team pushing boundaries in aerospace while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree or 5 years experience in planning, with strong data analysis skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities. GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.
At our GKN Filton site, we specialise in the design and manufacture of large complex structural wing assemblies, detailed metallic components and wing systems for a combination of both civil and military aircraft. We're seeking a skilled and knowledgeable Site Planning Manager to join us on a permanent basis. This role is based at our Filton site in Bristol, with the expectation to be on site full time. We offer a flexible but structured approach to hours over 4.5 days per week, as we have an early finish on a Friday.
The role exists to lead and integrate the site planning function, ensuring the effective translation of demand into executable production and supply plans. To own and govern the SIOP process and planning standards.
What You'll Be Doing
- Develop and maintain elements of the integrated site production plan.
- Support the site-level SIOP process, including data preparation, analysis, and scenario modelling.
- Translate customer demand and forecasts into executable production schedules.
- Perform capacity analysis and resource alignment, identifying constraints and risks.
- Contribute to the development and adherence of planning standards, governance and data quality.
- Collaborate with procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and commercial teams to resolve planning issues.
- Lead scenario planning and what-if analysis to support decision-making.
- Use data analytics and digital tools to drive insight and improve planning performance.
- Provide technical support and guidance to the planning team, helping to build capability.
- Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities in planning processes and tools.
What You'll Bring
Essential
- Ideally educated to Degree level and/or have 5 years previous experience in a relevant position.
- Knowledge and experience of capacity planning and Sales, Operations, Inventory and Operations planning processes.
- Knowledge and experience of manufacturing and finance systems.
- Good understanding of ERP systems.
- A team player able to influence without direct line reports.
- Ability to utilise data, analytics and digital planning tools to support insight-led decision making and continuous improvement.
Desirable
- Supply Chain Management education preferably, with professional curriculum and certification (e.g. APICS CPIM or equivalent).
What We'll Offer
Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
- Competitive salary and remuneration package dependent on experience.
- 22.5% company bonus based on personal and business performance.
- £5,500 annual car allowance.
- Industry Leading Pension Scheme = 1.5x employee contributions (max 12%).
- Life Assurance 8 x salary.
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
- Flexible working hours.
- Income protection.
- Shopping discounts.
- Cycle To Work Scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family.
- A collaborative, dynamic working environment.
As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where your career journey may take you!
We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?
A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working. Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work. We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know. We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.
Site Planning Manager in Bristol employer: GKN
GKN Aerospace is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment at our Filton site in Bristol, where innovation meets sustainability. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive learning opportunities, competitive benefits including a generous bonus scheme and flexible working hours, and a culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that is shaping the future of aerospace technology while enjoying a fulfilling career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Site Planning Manager in Bristol
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with GKN for a Site Planning Manager. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Site Planning Manager in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at GKN, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At GKN, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at GKN
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with GKN.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with GKN. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like GKN love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
