Senior Manager, Production Operations

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Manager, Production Operations to lead aircraft assembly, maintenance and major modification activities within a complex aerospace and defence environment.

Based at Birmingham Airport, the successful candidate will oversee production delivery, technical operations and supplier integration, ensuring aircraft programmes are completed safely, to the required quality standards and in line with agreed schedules.

This role requires a strong combination of aircraft maintenance and certification experience, production leadership and project management capability. The successful candidate will work closely with supplier management, engineering, quality and programme teams to coordinate daily operations, resolve technical issues and maintain progress against key delivery milestones.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day aircraft assembly, maintenance and major modification activities, ensuring safe and efficient delivery against programme targets.
• Manage and coordinate supplier teams, ensuring work is completed in accordance with approved technical data, procedures and quality standards.
• Develop and coordinate daily production plans, aligning resources and priorities with programme schedules.
• Allocate personnel, tooling and materials to support production requirements and maintain workflow.
• Provide technical and operational leadership, resolving complex production issues and removing barriers to delivery.
• Monitor production performance, identify risks and implement corrective actions to maintain schedule adherence.
• Ensure compliance with applicable aviation regulations, airworthiness requirements, safety procedures and quality standards.
• Oversee aircraft installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, modification and associated testing and certification activities.
• Coordinate with engineering, quality assurance, industrial engineering and programme management teams to resolve technical and operational challenges.
• Monitor supplier performance, ensuring contractual commitments, technical requirements and delivery expectations are met.
• Provide clear updates on programme progress, risks, issues and mitigation plans to relevant stakeholders and senior management.
• Lead, coach and develop multidisciplinary teams, promoting accountability, collaboration and high standards of performance.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, quality and operational efficiency.

Essential Skills and Experience

• A minimum of five years' experience in an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), technical certification or management role involving Boeing fixed-wing aircraft.
• Significant experience supporting or managing major aircraft modification programmes.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing multidisciplinary teams and coordinating supplier activities.
• Demonstrable project management experience, including production planning, schedule management, risk mitigation and delivery against milestones.
• Strong understanding of aircraft maintenance, modification processes, technical documentation and airworthiness requirements.
• Experience working with aviation quality, safety and regulatory compliance standards.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, including engagement with senior management, engineering teams and external suppliers.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, resolve complex issues and maintain production progress in a demanding operational environment.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• An aerospace or engineering degree, or an equivalent technical qualification.
• Relevant aircraft maintenance licence or certification, such as UK CAA, EASA Part-66, FAA A&P or an equivalent qualification.
• Experience with major aircraft modification, integration, testing and return-to-service activities.
• Project management qualifications, such as PRINCE2 or PMP.
• Experience implementing Lean, Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Security Requirements

Candidates will be required to go through Security Clearance checks for this role and will need to have been in the UK for a minimum of 5 years and hold Citizenship.