Project Manager

We are seeking a driven, detail‑oriented Project Manager to lead a portfolio of sales development and pre‑production programmes within the Aircraft Interiors division. This is a pivotal role, responsible for guiding projects from early‑stage development through to full production transfer from a UK site into an international manufacturing operation in Turkey.

The role will also support selected defence‑related programmes, requiring a high level of professionalism, discretion, and adherence to regulatory and security requirements.

This position offers the opportunity to work at the heart of product development, customer engagement, and manufacturing transition within a technically complex, fast‑paced aerospace environment.

Possibility of part time 3 days per week

£50,000 - £60,000 Pro-rata

Key Responsibilities

Short‑Term Responsibilities (0-12 months)

• Take ownership of a portfolio of sales development and pre‑production projects, ensuring clear definition of scope, timelines, risks, and deliverables.
• Serve as a primary customer interface during early development phases, building strong, trust‑based relationships and acting as a professional and solutions‑focused representative.
• Proactively engage with customers to understand technical requirements, delivery expectations, and future opportunities, feeding insights back into the wider business.
• Support commercial teams by strengthening customer partnerships and enabling repeat business and long‑term growth.
• Establish and maintain robust project tracking and reporting frameworks, monitoring progress, milestones, dependencies, risks, and resource requirements.
• Coordinate closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams to ensure alignment and effective cross‑functional delivery.
• Lead planning for the transition of projects from UK‑based development into Turkish production, identifying gaps, mitigating risks, and ensuring readiness.
• Build strong working relationships with international stakeholders to support effective communication and collaboration across sites.
• Provide clear, concise, and regular status updates to senior management.
• Support onboarding and delivery of defence‑related programmes, ensuring compliance with regulatory, confidentiality, and security obligations.

Long‑Term Responsibilities (12+ months)

• Own and continuously improve the end‑to‑end project transfer process between UK development and overseas manufacturing, driving consistency, efficiency, and scalability.
• Develop and embed standardised project management frameworks, tools, and best practices for sales development and pre‑production programmes.
• Act as a key interface between commercial and operational teams, supporting successful programme launches and future business growth.
• Take full lifecycle ownership of complex civilian and defence programmes, delivering on time, within scope, and to agreed quality standards.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, process optimisation, and improved cross‑site collaboration.
• Mentor and support junior team members, contributing to the development of organisational project management capability.
• Support long‑term strategic planning, including capacity planning and production transfer strategies.
• Contribute to the implementation and integration of AS9100, working closely with Quality leadership to ensure project management processes align with aerospace quality standards.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in project management within aerospace, advanced manufacturing, or composites environments.
• Strong understanding of pre‑production, NPI (New Product Introduction), and manufacturing transfer processes.
• Experience working with cross‑functional and international teams.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.
• Experience within aircraft interiors programmes is highly desirable.
• Exposure to defence programmes or regulated environments is advantageous.
• Project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP) preferred.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership, ownership, and accountability
• Structured problem‑solving and proactive risk management
• High attention to detail combined with a strategic mindset
• Adaptability, resilience, and confidence working with ambiguity
• Collaborative, proactive, and customer‑focused approach