Project Manager - Manufacturing

Company Overview: The company is a rapidly expanding player in the premium food sector, with a strong presence across the UK, Europe, and the USA. Renowned for our high-quality products and entrepreneurial spirit, they have achieved exceptional growth over the past five years. They are now entering an exciting new chapter following a recent strategic acquisition, with a focus on scaling operations, increasing brand recognition, and strengthening our position as a market leader. As part of this growth, they are investing heavily in manufacturing capabilities to support future expansion.

Role Summary: They are seeking a Project Manager – Manufacturing & Production Line Development to lead the implementation of a new production line as part of our wider operational growth strategy. This pivotal role will involve working cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners to deliver a state-of-the-art production capability that meets our ambitious performance, quality, and efficiency goals. The successful candidate will ensure that all aspects of the project are delivered on time, within scope, and to budget, while championing operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Leadership: Lead the end-to-end delivery of the new production line, from initial scoping through to final commissioning and go-live.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Work closely with internal departments (Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Quality, etc.) and external vendors, contractors, and consultants to ensure seamless project execution.
• Planning & Execution: Develop and manage detailed project plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Technical Oversight: Support the design, specification, and installation of manufacturing equipment and infrastructure to meet capacity, safety, and quality requirements.
• Budget & Risk Management: Manage project budgets and proactively identify and mitigate risks to ensure successful delivery.
• Performance Monitoring: Track project KPIs and use data-driven insights to drive improvements and report on progress to senior management.
• Compliance & Standards: Ensure all work is completed in accordance with regulatory, health and safety, and food industry standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to the development of best practices and operational improvements across the manufacturing function.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge & Experience: Significant experience managing large-scale capital projects in a manufacturing or FMCG environment, ideally within the food or beverage sector.
• Proven track record of delivering complex production line or facility expansion projects.
• Professional Project Management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) is highly desirable.
• Strong technical understanding of manufacturing equipment and production processes.
• Experience in working with external engineering and equipment suppliers, construction firms, and internal cross-functional teams.

Essential Skills and Behavioural Traits:

• Proactive & Driven: A hands-on leader who takes ownership and drives projects forward with energy and purpose.
• Excellent Communicator: Able to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, with clear and confident communication.
• Operational Mindset: Strong problem-solving skills and a practical approach to delivering effective solutions on the factory floor.
• Highly Organized: Capable of managing multiple workstreams and priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Team-Oriented: Comfortable working in a collaborative, close-knit team, and sharing knowledge to elevate collective performance.
• Detail-Focused: Committed to high standards of quality, safety, and operational efficiency.