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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 Preston employer: iO Associates
Contact Detail:
iO Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Planner in Preston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the aerospace and defence industry on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups, engage in discussions, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions related to operations planning. Think about how you can showcase your experience with ERP/MRP systems and lean manufacturing principles. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples where you’ve resolved bottlenecks or improved processes in previous roles. This will demonstrate your analytical abilities and proactive approach, which are key for an Operations Planner.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. Let’s get you that Operations Planner role!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Planner in Preston
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 – we love a good story!
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’re keen on analytical thinkers who can proactively resolve bottlenecks and improve processes, so let us know how you’ve done this before!
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 shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
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 concepts like lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to develop and maintain manufacturing plans, manage production schedules, and resolve bottlenecks. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your achievements.
✨Communicate Clearly
As an Operations Planner, you'll need to collaborate with various teams. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be ready to discuss how you've effectively communicated with engineering, production, and supply chain teams in the past to ensure smooth operations.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's production processes, challenges they face, and their approach to continuous improvement. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.