Contract Opportunity - Lead Customer Program Manager
Location: Titchfield / Daedalus, Hampshire
About Our Client - Titchfield / Daedalus
Our client operates an established aerospace manufacturing business in Titchfield, Hampshire and is a recognised global leader in aerospace fuel systems. The site is currently undergoing a major transformation, relocating to a newly constructed, state-of-the-art facility at Daedalus. This new site will become the European Centre of Excellence for aerospace manufacturing, representing a significant investment in innovation, capability, and long-term growth.
Our client is a premier supplier of fully integrated fuel systems for both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. The location is supported by extensive fuel and air system test facilities, enabling comprehensive validation across a broad range of operating conditions and fuel types.
The Role
Our client's Aerospace division within Fuel and Motion Control Systems is seeking an experienced Lead Customer Program Manager on a contract basis.
The role is responsible for leading site or business unit program management activities and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs). The focus is on delivering high levels of customer satisfaction, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring full lifecycle financial performance. This includes ownership of customer programs, contracts, and commercial relationships.
Key Responsibilities
* Act as the primary customer interface for the program, site, or business unit
* Improve organisational responsiveness to customer requirements
* Communicate and manage customer expectations and contractual commitments internally
* Own Profit and Loss responsibility for New Product Development programs and projects
* Ensure delivery against technical, schedule, cost, and quality commitments
* Lead Integrated Product Teams and champion best-practice program management processes
* Drive issue resolution through collaborative team engagement and coaching
* Provide leadership in a matrix environment across assigned project teams
* Coordinate program reviews and publish program metrics and performance reports
* Track earned value, quality, technical performance, and delivery across all PROLaunch phases
* Integrate and manage program risks, requirements, and interdependencies
* Manage customer contracts, pricing, terms and conditions, and contractual flow-down
* Develop and negotiate pricing and contract strategies
* Ensure robust change management processes are applied
* Provide regular program updates on milestones, risks, and high-impact issues
* Support the development of new business proposals and execution of overall program plans
Qualifications
Essential
* Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
* Minimum of 5 years' experience in Aerospace Program Management, Engineering, Customer Service, or Operations
Preferred
* Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Aerospace), IT, Business, or Management
* MBA with engineering experience
* Mandarin / Chinese language skills (any proficiency)
Skills and Experience
* Willingness to travel if required
* Strong grounding in project management methodologies, tools, and processes
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present to senior leadership and customers
* Strong analytical skills and commercial awareness
* Proven knowledge of the aerospace industry
* Leadership capability within Integrated Product Teams
* Experience managing programs involving complex systems or subsystems
* Experience with moderate to high customer risk and Non-Recurring Engineering budgets
* Experience delivering incremental revenue growth programs
* Ability to operate effectively in diverse, global, and multicultural environments
* Experience influencing senior leadership and providing actionable recommendations
* Experience leading teams or managing people
* Strong background in aerospace NPI programs
* Risk management experience
* Project Management Institute accreditation (PMP) is highly desirable
Additional Information
* Candidates must be legally authorised to work in the United Kingdom without current or future sponsorship
* The successful applicant will be in contact with US ITAR-controlled technology, goods, and information. As a condition of engagement, additional screening may be required as part of the onboarding process