Head of Sales and Operations Planning

Job Title: Head of Sales and Operations Planning

Location: Warton, Hybrid, 3 days per week on site

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: £89,300 plus performance bonus and car allowance

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

As Head of Sales and Operations Planning, you’ll lead and integrate the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process across the Air Sector. You’ll oversee the development, governance and delivery of the Air S&OP framework, supporting demand planning, capacity planning and operational decision-making across a complex business environment.

Working closely with senior stakeholders across Markets, Line of Business, Operations, Project Management and functional teams, you’ll help align business priorities, resource planning and operational capability to support strategic delivery across the sector.

Core duties:

• Lead the Sales and Operations Planning process across the Air Sector
• Develop and govern the Air S&OP framework, aligning demand, capacity and operational planning activities
• Provide reporting, insight and recommendations to support Air Board strategic decision-making
• Lead cross-functional planning activity across Lines of Business, Operations, Project Management and functional teams to align priorities and delivery plans
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across Sales and Operations Planning processes, governance and performance reporting
• Lead and develop the S&OP team while influencing wider virtual teams across the Air Sector

Essential Skills:

• Experience leading large and complex programmes, portfolios or operational planning activity
• Knowledge of business operations, governance and planning methodologies
• Experience working across large matrix organisations and multiple stakeholder groups
• Experience supporting business change and continuous improvement activity
• Good communication and stakeholder management skills across senior leadership teams
• Understanding of project management environments, governance and operational delivery

The team:

The team sits within the Air Sector Project Management function and plays a key role in enabling strategic planning, operational integration and transformation activity across the business. Working across Lines of Business, Operations, SDUs and functional teams, the group supports sector-wide planning, governance and decision-making activity aligned to major programme delivery.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 12th June 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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