Supply Chain and Logistics Review
at Airbus
Placement (10 Months+)
Procurement, Logistics and Operations
Bristol
Review Submitted: June 2025
Overall Rating
4.5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
4.8/5
-
Skills Development
4.5/5
-
Support and Guidance
4/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
Overall Experience
4/5
-
Future Career Prospects
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.
I make sure to order COSHH items for the plant (paints, sealants, grease, loctite etc). I contact suppliers via mobile and email to ensure my purchase orders arrive on time. I am in the process of automating this ordering system, combining spreadsheets, AppsScript coding, SAP exports to make my job easier for my successor.
I have many projects in our A350 facility where the main objective is to enable a production rate increase and utilise the space in the most efficient way possible - LEAN orientated manufacturing.
I have many projects in our A350 facility where the main objective is to enable a production rate increase and utilise the space in the most efficient way possible - LEAN orientated manufacturing.
Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
In Feb 2025 a team member moved department and his role was to order AGS and COSHH (nuts/bolts non-serialised high qty parts) and paints that the shop floor uses. Myself and an apprentice split his workload where I became the supply officer for COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) and he became the supply officer for AGS (Aircraft General Stores).
To say the least, this was a large responsibility for me to undertake, as production would stop in theory, if I did not order sufficient supplies as indicated by the SAP system. I have been the sole person to order these items to the plant.
I have been responsible for my own rate-enablement projects in the A350 facility, making real world changes to the shop floor to alleviate the workloads of logistics personnel and create space on the floorplan. I have worked closely with Multi Function Teams as a result, including Manufacturing Engineering, Business Improvement, Logistics, Supply Chain and Operations.
To say the least, this was a large responsibility for me to undertake, as production would stop in theory, if I did not order sufficient supplies as indicated by the SAP system. I have been the sole person to order these items to the plant.
I have been responsible for my own rate-enablement projects in the A350 facility, making real world changes to the shop floor to alleviate the workloads of logistics personnel and create space on the floorplan. I have worked closely with Multi Function Teams as a result, including Manufacturing Engineering, Business Improvement, Logistics, Supply Chain and Operations.
Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was
5/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?
Presentation skills and overall confidence boost from presenting tours of both A400M Wing Assembly and A350 Equipped Gear Beam (Filton Plant).
Agility - not every project will go to plan and the goal posts may move from an external factor, I have learnt to adapt well to these changes and respond to evolving situations.
Project Management - use of various tools and methodologies to ensure my projects are defined clearly. LBIP+ methodology endorsed.
Agility - not every project will go to plan and the goal posts may move from an external factor, I have learnt to adapt well to these changes and respond to evolving situations.
Project Management - use of various tools and methodologies to ensure my projects are defined clearly. LBIP+ methodology endorsed.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
4/5
How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?
5/5
How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development
5/5
Support and Guidance
How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?
A more learn-as-you-go approach to this internship, which is appreciated for a person with an Engineering background. I always like to try new things and wrapping my head around logistics in a production has been a challenging but fun experience.
I have had training on PPS (Practical Problem Solving), LBIP+ methodology (Learner Business Improvement Project).
The support from my managers and team has been outstanding - especially when undertaking the role as a supply officer for the first time. I know that I can always lean on the team and they are always there to help with years of experience amongst them.
I have had training on PPS (Practical Problem Solving), LBIP+ methodology (Learner Business Improvement Project).
The support from my managers and team has been outstanding - especially when undertaking the role as a supply officer for the first time. I know that I can always lean on the team and they are always there to help with years of experience amongst them.
How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?
4/5
How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?
5/5
Company Culture
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
General atmosphere is good, business orientated at the plant. For Filton site, the plant comprises of four buildings which are responsible for brining in revenue. The rest of the site is mainly used for R/T and testing, with main offices at the top of the hill.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
4/5
How would you rate the social opportunities?
4/5
How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
4/5
How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
4/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement so far. As an aerospace engineering undergraduate, I have finally had a taste of the industry an the countless avenues that are available to me.
I applied for several internships at Airbus Filton, mostly engineering based. I was not offered any of those positions in the end and got Supply Chain and Logistics. I didn't know what to expect, with zero experience in that field.
I hindsight, I think that I got the most out of my internship and that I probably wouldn't have enjoyed working in the main offices in large engineering teams, looking at CAD and aircraft modifications. Instead, I get to work with multiple functions, work with operations on the shop floor and work close to the product, which I think is very important.
To put that into perspective, I don't think many people working in the engineering teams on site will ever see the components that they work on every day. I do. I have been able to make changes in the plant and see the impact I am making. I think this has been invaluable.
I applied for several internships at Airbus Filton, mostly engineering based. I was not offered any of those positions in the end and got Supply Chain and Logistics. I didn't know what to expect, with zero experience in that field.
I hindsight, I think that I got the most out of my internship and that I probably wouldn't have enjoyed working in the main offices in large engineering teams, looking at CAD and aircraft modifications. Instead, I get to work with multiple functions, work with operations on the shop floor and work close to the product, which I think is very important.
To put that into perspective, I don't think many people working in the engineering teams on site will ever see the components that they work on every day. I do. I have been able to make changes in the plant and see the impact I am making. I think this has been invaluable.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on your placement / internship
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Future Career Prospects
Please rate the future employment prospects at Airbus
4/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Airbus to a friend?
Yes
What advice would you give to others applying to Airbus
Showing that you are truly passionate has given me many great opportunities so far. Smile and come to work with fire in the belly for making a difference and great things will come your way.
In Oct 2024, I became a tour guide for the plant and as a result, I have visited Rolls-Royce Patchway and Oxford Instruments as a show of gratitude from the attendees that I toured.
A graduate who finished his final placement on scheme at my department helped me get started with my IT setup and project launches. We got along well and enjoyed working with me. As a result, he invited me to take part in a study upon returning to his home department in Digital for his full-time role.
New company function and new learning experiences. I couldn't say no. This study resulted in me travelling to Toulouse to present my findings to a leadership team. Funded by my line manager on behalf of the Digital function.
What I am trying to say is, opportunities will be thrown your way if you show you're passionate and determined and you must take them!
I'd say there is no point in applying if you don't have the slightest interest in aircraft/aviation of Airbus.
For context, my line manager hired me over a 'mature student' with a degree in supply chain management. They took a chance in hiring the lesser experienced undergraduate who is competent in a different business area. I asked my manager and he said that they hired me for multiple reasons, but the most prominent being that I had a genuine interest in the industry.
In Oct 2024, I became a tour guide for the plant and as a result, I have visited Rolls-Royce Patchway and Oxford Instruments as a show of gratitude from the attendees that I toured.
A graduate who finished his final placement on scheme at my department helped me get started with my IT setup and project launches. We got along well and enjoyed working with me. As a result, he invited me to take part in a study upon returning to his home department in Digital for his full-time role.
New company function and new learning experiences. I couldn't say no. This study resulted in me travelling to Toulouse to present my findings to a leadership team. Funded by my line manager on behalf of the Digital function.
What I am trying to say is, opportunities will be thrown your way if you show you're passionate and determined and you must take them!
I'd say there is no point in applying if you don't have the slightest interest in aircraft/aviation of Airbus.
For context, my line manager hired me over a 'mature student' with a degree in supply chain management. They took a chance in hiring the lesser experienced undergraduate who is competent in a different business area. I asked my manager and he said that they hired me for multiple reasons, but the most prominent being that I had a genuine interest in the industry.
