Project Manager - Chemical Manufacturing in Haywards Heath

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (site based)

Reporting to: Site Manager

About the Business

Our client is a well-established chemical manufacturing site producing a diverse range of bulk and batch chemical products, including sulphur-based products, potassium salts and sodium ammonia solutions. This diversity provides strong resilience across market cycles. The site benefits from a high degree of energy independence, using sulphur waste streams to generate steam that largely powers the plant, insulating operations from energy price volatility. Our client is privately owned with a long-term investment strategy and a strong track record in sulphur-based products across multiple international sites. With around £4.5m per year invested back into the site through CAPEX, the business offers a steady and varied portfolio of technically interesting projects.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to take full accountability for the delivery of the site's capital project portfolio. Reporting to the Site Manager and sitting as part of the Site Leadership Team, you will manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery on time, within budget and to the highest safety standards. Projects typically range from £100k to £1.5m, with occasional larger schemes managed via EPC partners. The portfolio includes reactor installations, LEV improvements, vessel and piping replacements, and wider process plant upgrades. This is a hands‐on role in a lean environment. While the role carries Project Manager accountability, there is a strong expectation that you will engage with the technical and process engineering aspects of projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountable for the full lifecycle delivery of site capital projects, from concept and engineering through construction, commissioning and handover
• Develop the site project strategy in collaboration with the Site Manager and Site Management Team
• Translate improvement opportunities into clearly defined, deliverable capital projects
• Manage a multi‐million‐pound project portfolio using our clients capital management and stage‐gate processes
• Work closely with Procurement to select and manage contractors and vendors, ensuring SHE and Quality standards are met
• Coordinate internal resources across Maintenance, SHE, Technical and Operations functions
• Ensure compliance with all safety, regulatory and legislative requirements, including COMAH and Process Safety
• Initiate and manage Process Hazard Analysis in line with company procedures and industry best practice
• Provide clear, regular project reporting, including cost control, milestone tracking and risk management
• Identify, manage and escalate deviations impacting scope, cost, schedule or safety
• Lead commissioning activities and ensure effective handover to operations, including documentation, training and manuals
• Actively promote and lead a strong site safety culture
• Contribute to continuous improvement of project governance and delivery processes

Working Environment

• Site-based role (not remote)
• Core hours 9:00-5:00 with flexibility on start and finish times
• Fast decision‐making environment with minimal bureaucracy
• Close collaboration with a small engineering team including Process, Mechanical and E&I Engineers
• Strong autonomy and ownership of projects

Experience, Qualifications & Skills

Essential

• Degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering (or equivalent)
• Minimum 4-5 years' experience delivering projects in a process manufacturing environment
• Proven experience managing projects through engineering, construction and commissioning
• Strong understanding of safety in hazardous process environments
• Ability to work independently as a self‐starter with limited project support

Desirable

• Experience in chemicals, petrochemicals or refining (other process industries such as food or pharma might be considered if there are ATEX or hazardous areas)
• Managing projects on a Top Tier COMAH site
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent
• Project Management qualification and/or membership of a recognised professional body
• Experience leading commissioning of new plant and equipment
• Knowledge of process automation systems (DCS, FAT, SAT)
• Understanding of Process Safety Management and COMAH environments

What They Offer

• A stable, profitable business with long‐term investment commitment
• High visibility role with genuine ownership and influence
• Technically varied and engaging project portfolio
• Opportunity to shape and improve site project processes
• Support and mentoring available for larger project delivery where required