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- Tasks: Shape and maintain manufacturing plans for aerospace components, ensuring smooth production flow.
- Company: Leading aerospace and defence manufacturer with a focus on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Join a fast-paced team and make a real 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 Colchester employer: iO Associates
Contact Detail:
iO Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Planner in Colchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the aerospace and defence industry, especially those who work in operations planning. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of lean manufacturing and ERP/MRP systems. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled production challenges in the past and how you can bring value to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've resolved bottlenecks or improved processes in previous roles. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and analytical mindset.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We want to see your application and help you land that Operations Planner role. Make sure to highlight your experience with manufacturing planning and your commitment to quality.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Planner in Colchester
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 prepared to discuss specific examples where you've resolved bottlenecks or delays in production. Think about times when you collaborated with engineering or supply chain teams to overcome challenges, and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Since this role requires meticulous attention to detail, consider bringing along a few examples of how your careful planning has led to successful outcomes in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with ISO 9001 compliance or quality standards.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare insightful questions that show your interest in the company and the role. You might ask about their current challenges in production planning or how they implement continuous improvement processes. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.