Programme Manager

Coven Heath
3 weeks ago
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Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.

What do we offer?

Competitive salary
Company performance bonus scheme
Pension scheme - up to 10% employer contribution
Private medical insurance
Comprehensive health cash plan
25 days annual leave + bank holidays
Flexible benefits programme (buy & sell holiday allowance, discounted gym memberships, Maternity/ adoption leave- up to 52 weeks, first 26 weeks at full pay, subsequent 26 at 50% (basic pay) and Paternity/Non-Pregnant Parent/ Co-adopter leave 4 weeks full pay)
Structured training & opportunities to progress

What does the role look like?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Programme Manager to join our Civil Value Stream. This role will lead complex, regulated aerospace programmes with a strong focus on New Product Introduction (NPI) and the industrialisation of products into high-volume manufacturing cells.

You will play a critical role in driving programme delivery while embedding manufacturing engineering initiatives that improve efficiency, cost competitiveness and overall manufacturing excellence.

What will your day-to-day responsibilities look like?

Lead multi-disciplinary Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) to deliver contracted programme objectives.
Act as the primary customer interface, ensuring contractual delivery and building strong, long-term relationships.
Manage NPI programmes in line with business policies, procedures and gated review processes.
Embed manufacturing engineering initiatives to:
Support industrialisation of new products into high-volume aerospace production cells
Improve cost competitiveness through process optimisation and lean practices
Ensure strong alignment between design, engineering and manufacturing teams
Ensure robust programme governance, including:
Financial performance and reporting (Earned Value Management - BAC/EAC)
Risk, issue and change management
Project planning, controls and resource management
Stakeholder and senior leadership engagement
Implement and maintain the Business Management System across assigned programmes.
Support customer and senior management programme reviews, providing clear status and performance updates.
Track and report Key Project Indicators through Tier Reviews and other business processes.
Champion continuous improvement and manufacturing excellence using structured methodologies.What will you bring to the role?

Essential skills:

Proven experience delivering complex NPI programmes with strong project planning and control capability.
Demonstrated leadership and accountability within regulated aerospace or defence environments.
Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering principles and their role in industrialisation and cost competitiveness.

Desirable skills:

Financial management experience, including Earned Value Management.
Strong customer focus with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships.
Experience embedding lean manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives.
Creative problem-solving skills with confident and influential communication.
A collaborative mindset with a passion for ownership, teamwork and delivering results

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