Project Manager, Operations Manager

MERITUS are recruiting for a Configuration Project Manager to join our client in an initial 9 month contract from their site in Filton. Please note, you must have demonstrable configuration management experience listed on your CV to be considered.

PROJECT MANAGER - CONFIGURATION - INSIDE IR35 - £40 PER HOUR - 9 MONTHS - FILTON, UK (3 DAYS PER WEEK ONSITE) - SINGLE STAGE INTERVIEW PROCESS - Sector: AEROSPACE

This role sits within a multi-functional programme and engineering organisation responsible for managing aircraft configuration changes from initial request through to implementation and operational closure.

The successful candidate will lead cross‑functional change activity across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, finance and programme teams, ensuring modifications are delivered in line with technical, operational, schedule and cost requirements.

The position requires a commercially aware programme professional with strong stakeholder leadership capability, experience operating within complex engineering or aerospace environments and the ability to coordinate multiple concurrent change activities across an international programme structure.

• Lead and coordinate aircraft configuration change activities across a defined programme perimeter.
• Manage the full lifecycle of engineering and programme change requests from initiation through to implementation and closure.
• Chair and coordinate multi‑functional teams involving engineering, manufacturing, procurement, supply chain, finance, quality and programme stakeholders.
• Build and manage change dossiers including:
  • Technical impacts
  • Manufacturing impacts
  • Supply chain implications
  • Budgetary considerations
  • Risk and opportunity assessments
  • Implementation planning
• Drive stakeholder alignment and support decision‑making across complex organisational structures.
• Manage implementation activities to ensure changes are delivered on time, on cost and in line with programme quality requirements.
• Manage a portfolio of concurrent changes of varying complexity and scale.
• Monitor programme risks, escalations and recovery plans where required.
• Support reporting activities and portfolio reviews for programme leadership.
• Coordinate with suppliers and external stakeholders to support implementation activity.
• Support obsolescence management and material shortage resolution activities.
• Contribute to process improvement and operational excellence initiatives across the configuration management function.
• Support wider team development, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Degree‑qualified in engineering, aerospace or a related technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience with in programme management, engineering change management or configuration management environments.
• Strong understanding of engineering or manufacturing change processes within complex technical programmes.
• Experience coordinating cross‑functional stakeholders across engineering, operations and supply chain functions.
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management capability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing programme demands.
• Experience operating within highly regulated or technically complex industries.

• Aerospace or defence programme experience.
• Knowledge of aircraft structures, airframe systems or large‑scale engineering programmes.
• Configuration management certification or equivalent practical experience.
• Formal project or programme management qualification.
• Experience supporting multi‑site or international programme delivery environments.