Product Manager; Aerospace & Defence

Product Manager (Aerospace & Defence) page is loaded## Product Manager (Aerospace & Defence) locations:
Great Yarmouth, UK:
Milton Keynes, UKtime type:
Full time posted on:
Posted 2 Days Agojob requisition  are looking for a Product Manager to join our Aerospace and Defence division where you will play a key role in shaping the future of our electronics-based product line. You’ll take ownership of a diverse product portfolio, driving sustainment, redesign and lifecycle strategy to maximise performance, profitability and customer satisfaction. Acting as the central link between engineering, operations and customers, you’ll lead complex, multi‑disciplinary projects, manage obsolescence challenges, and ensure delivery excellence through robust planning, risk management and data‑driven reporting.
* This role can be based at either our Manufacturing Centre in Great Yarmouth or our Engineering Design Centre in Milton Keynes. If based in Milton Keynes, the role will require travel to the Great Yarmouth site (~1 day per week).
*** Key Responsibilities
*** Manage an electronics-based product line, delivering sustainment & redesign projects across the portfolio.
* Focus on maximizing revenue, profitability & improving on time delivery.
* Lead the identification and mitigation of component, process & equipment obsolescence risks across the assigned product portfolio.
* Manage the product life cycle and recommendations for extension, redesign or end of life notification.
* Manage project and lifecycle risks, maintaining risk registers and coordinating mitigation strategies.
* Support bids and proposals contributing to scope definition, budgeting, and risk assessment.
* Serve as the primary customer interface.
* Establish, monitor, and report against project baselines for cost, schedule, scope, and risk, present updates through internal reviews and customer meetings.
* Chair design gate reviews from initiation through qualification and handover to production.
* Track project performance using appropriate methodologies (e.g., Earned Value Management) and prepare internal and customer‑facing reports.
* Prepare and deliver structured project documentation including project management plans, schedules, data packs, lifecycle reports, risk registers, design change documentation, and data deliverables.
* Represent the business in regular customer meetings, QBRs, technical reviews and WIP tracking discussions.
* Contribute to CI/LEAN/Kaizen activities with a focus on cost reduction, inventory optimisation, lead-time improvement and on‑time delivery.
* Actively participate in the Sales & Operational planning (S&OP) process .
** Skills, Experience & Qualifications
**** Essential
* ** Degree in Engineering or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
* Proven project management experience in electronics, microelectronics, or engineering environments, ideally within Aerospace & Defence.
* Background in product lifecycle management, obsolescence management or sustainment engineering.
* Experience managing complex projects (up to ~£10M) with cross‑functional teams.
* Familiarity with relevant industry standards such as AS9100, DO‑254, and DEF STAN frameworks.
* Experience working with or for defence primes.
* Understanding of production planning, manufacturing processes and technical problem‑solving.
* Skilled in ERP/MRP tools within a project or manufacturing environment.
* Proficient in project management methodologies, tools, and reporting techniques including scheduling, risk management, and Earned Value concepts.
** Desirable
* ** Project management accreditation (PRINCE2, PMI, APM PMQ or similar).
* Exposure to LEAN, Six Sigma or CI methodologies.
* Experience in hybrid microelectronics, optoelectronics or high‑reliability manufacturing.
* Familiarity with obsolescence tools or DMSMS methodologies (e.g., predictive tools, lifecycle analytics).
** Personal Attributes
*** Analytical mindset with excellent problem-solving and risk‑management skills.
* Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects or lifecycle issues simultaneously.
* Proactive and collaborative, with a drive for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
* Commitment to driving progress in matrixed, cross-functional environments.
* Influences effectively without direct authority; able to secure alignment and hold teams to account.
* Strong communicator with the ability to manage customer expectations professionally and calmly.
* Ability to remain composed under pressure.
* Adaptable and comfortable prioritising in a dynamic environment.
** Other Requirements
*** Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).
* Ability to travel between Great Yarmouth and Milton Keynes sites (weekly if MK‑based) and occasional UK customer/supplier visits (