Manager, Planning (Engine Module)

About SAESL A joint venture company between Rolls-Royce Plc and SIA Engineering Company. The company first started operations in 2001 and has since become a market leader for both engine overhaul and component repair services.

As a result of sustained business growth, SAESL has continued to expand its facilities and develop new capabilities for both its engine overhaul and component repair businesses. The Engine Overhaul business has the capability to service all products in the Trent engine family, this includes Trent 500, Trent 700, Trent 800, Trent 900, Trent 1000 and Trent XWB; SAESL is the only Trent engine MRO that can support all product variants. The Engine Overhaul business has the capacity to repair and overhaul over 300 Trent engines per year and it is equipped with a state-of-the-art Engine Test Facility that supports our best-in-class engine turnaround times.

Why Join SAESL

• Staff Benefits (Comprehensive Medical Coverage, Flexible Benefits, Company Transport)
• Training/Career Progression Opportunities
• Job Security

Job Summary The Planning Manager (Engine & Module) is responsible for leading enterprise-level planning and scheduling activities across the engine and module value stream. This role oversees a central planning team and ensures effective coordination of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities across multiple operational sites. Working closely with Operational Planning Teams, Customer Business, functional departments, and Rolls-Royce stakeholders, the Planning Manager drives production performance, manages planning risks, and ensures alignment to operational targets and customer commitments.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the central Engine & Module Planning team, providing guidance, coaching, and performance management.
• Establish, monitor, and manage enterprise-wide engine output plans, ensuring production targets are achieved.
• Analyze production performance, identify risks and bottlenecks, and implement recovery actions to minimize operational disruptions.
• Coordinate planning activities across multiple operational sites to optimize resource utilization and workflow efficiency.
• Lead daily Level 1 Production Meetings, Level 2 Escalation Meetings, and weekly Level 3 Operational Pulse Reviews to drive operational performance and issue resolution.
• Collaborate with Customer Business teams to support Gate 0 planning activities and ensure achievement of engine induction targets.
• Act as the primary planning liaison with Rolls-Royce Supplier Management Team (SMT) and Overhaul Services Team (OST), providing updates on production progress, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration among operations, supply chain, engineering, and support functions to achieve business objectives.
• Maintain planning accuracy through effective use of system tools, data analysis, and reporting.
• Serve as the backup lead for overall production planning and operational reviews in the absence of the Planning Supervisor or Manager.

Qualification / Experience

• Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in aerospace MRO, with strong exposure to production planning, scheduling, or operations management.
• Good understanding of aerospace engine overhaul processes, including strip, inspection, repair, and build activities.
• Proven experience in leading teams and managing cross-functional stakeholder relationships.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to interpret operational data and drive improvements.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at various organizational levels.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with SAP, SQL, Power BI, or other planning and analytics tools is advantageous.