Planning Manager

Capilaux Aero; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Capilaux Aero in Wales seeks an experienced Planning Manager to establish and lead a new planning function at our client's site. This hands-on role requires implementing planning systems and processes within a growing aviation/engineering environment, coordinating with commercial, operations, and engineering teams.

The position focuses on end-to-end planning for aircraft projects, strong forecasting, scheduling, and proactive continuous improvement in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Must have proven Planning Manager or Senior Planner experience in aviation or similar engineering environment.
• Strong ability to write procedures and implement planning tools and processes.
• Excellent organisational, analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a comprehensive planning function covering commercial, maintenance, and production activities.
• Develop and implement planning systems, tools, and processes to enhance workflow efficiency and project visibility.
• Create and maintain planning procedures and documentation, ensuring auditable standards across the business.
• Manage planning activities from project initiation through to aircraft delivery with end-to-end oversight.
• Collaborate with commercial, operations and engineering teams for accurate forecasting, scheduling and resource allocation.
• Provide clear communication of priorities, capacity and performance metrics to support programme delivery.
• Oversee on-site planning for aircraft projects, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements and safety targets.
• Mentor and develop planning team members as the department grows.

Skills

Strategic planning

Forecasting scheduling

Resource management

Cross-functional leadership

Process improvement

Tools

Planning software

MS Excel

Job description

Establish and lead a comprehensive planning function covering commercial, maintenance, and production activities.

Develop and implement planning systems, tools, and processes to enhance workflow efficiency and project visibility.

Create and maintain planning procedures and documentation, ensuring consistent and auditable standards across the business.

Manage planning activities from project initiation through to aircraft delivery, providing an end‑to‑end operational overview.

Collaborate closely with commercial, operations, and engineering teams to ensure accurate forecasting, scheduling, and resource allocation.

Provide clear communication of priorities, capacity, and performance metrics to support successful programme delivery.

Oversee planning for aircraft projects on‑site, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements, safety standards, and operational targets.

Mentor and develop planning team members as the department grows.

Proven experience in a Planning Manager or Senior Planner role within aviation, MRO, or a similar engineering environment.

Previous experience as the first planner in a business or setting up planning systems and processes from the ground up.

Strong understanding of both commercial and production planning.

Skilled in writing procedures, implementing tools, and improving efficiency and coordination across teams.

Excellent organisational, analytical, and communication abilities.

Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.

Strong attention to detail combined with the ability to see the broader operational picture.

Capilaux is proudly representing a specialist aviation services organisation providing aircraft MRO solutions to airlines, lessors, and asset managers. The company is known for its efficient, sustainable approach and commitment to delivering high‑quality services across the full aircraft lifecycle.

The Opportunity

Seeking an experienced Planning Manager to establish and lead a new planning function at our client's site in Wales. This is a hands‑on role suited to someone who has previously implemented or developed planning systems and processes within a small but expanding aviation or engineering organisation.