Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and maintain manufacturing plans for aerospace components, ensuring smooth production flow.
- Company: Leading aerospace and defence manufacturer with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Join a fast-paced team and make an impact in the aerospace industry.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in manufacturing planning, strong ERP/MRP skills, and excellent communication.
- Other info: Ideal for those who thrive in high-mix, low-volume production settings.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A leading aerospace & defence manufacturer is expanding and looking for an experienced Operations Planner to help drive production efficiency, optimise workflow and ensure customers receive high-quality, precision-engineered products on time. This is a key role within a growing organisation and perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-mix, low-volume environment and enjoys working closely with engineering, manufacturing and supply chain teams.
As an Operations Planner, you will be responsible for shaping and maintaining the manufacturing plan, ensuring resources are aligned and production runs smoothly. Your duties will include:
- Developing and maintaining detailed manufacturing plans and routings for aerospace components and assemblies
- Scheduling and prioritising production orders based on customer demand and delivery deadlines
- Working with procurement and materials teams to secure timely availability of parts, tooling and consumables
- Monitoring WIP and proactively resolving bottlenecks or delays
- Collaborating with engineering to address deviations, rework and non-conformance issues
- Supporting capacity planning, resource allocation and load levelling across production cells
- Maintaining accurate data in ERP/MRP systems
- Driving continuous improvement across planning and scheduling processes
- Ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 and wider aerospace quality standards
Skills and Experience
Essential:
- 3-5 years' experience in manufacturing planning or production control (ideally aerospace/defence)
- Strong ERP/MRP experience and familiarity with work order management
- Confident interpreting engineering drawings and technical specifications
- Solid understanding of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles
- Highly organised with excellent planning capability
- Analytical and proactive problem-solver
- Strong communicator across engineering, production and supply chain teams
- Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality
Desirable:
- Knowledge of ISO 9001, NADCAP, EASA/CAA requirements
- Understanding of aerospace materials, machining, assembly or design-to-production processes
- Degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business Administration or similar
- Certifications such as APICS CPIM, Lean Six Sigma, PMP/Prince2
- Experience within CNC machining or aerospace assembly planning
Operations Planner in Chesterfield employer: iO Associates
Contact Detail:
iO Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Planner in Chesterfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the aerospace and defence industry on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of lean manufacturing and ERP systems. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled production challenges in the past. Show them you're the Operations Planner they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Use our website to find roles that excite you, and tailor your approach to each one. Quality over quantity, right?
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Let’s make sure they remember you!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Planner in Chesterfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Planner role. Highlight your experience in manufacturing planning and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the aerospace and defence industry and how your skills can help us drive production efficiency. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t forget to mention specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. We love seeing analytical and proactive problem-solvers who can handle bottlenecks and delays like a pro!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at iO Associates
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of manufacturing planning and production control, especially in the aerospace and defence sectors. Familiarise yourself with key terms like ERP/MRP systems and lean manufacturing principles, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've proactively resolved bottlenecks or delays in production. Think about times when you collaborated with engineering or supply chain teams to overcome challenges, as this will demonstrate your analytical and proactive approach.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that test your understanding of engineering drawings and technical specifications. It might be helpful to review some basic concepts or even bring a few examples from your past work to illustrate your experience and confidence in interpreting these documents.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Since the role involves driving continuous improvement, be prepared to discuss how you've implemented changes in previous roles. Highlight any certifications you have, like Lean Six Sigma, and share specific outcomes from your initiatives to show your commitment to quality and efficiency.