Project Manager in Coventry

Contek Recruitment Solutions are representing their client, a specialist engineering business experiencing continued growth, who are looking to appoint an experienced Project Manager Onsite Machining. This is a newly created position offering the opportunity to take ownership of technically complex projects from initial customer enquiry through to planning, mobilisation, onsite delivery and commercial close-out.

The successful candidate will ideally come from a mechanical engineering, heavy engineering, field service, onsite machining or industrial project management background.

The Role

The role involves managing projects typically valued between £30,000 and £1 million, with temporary project teams generally consisting of 220 personnel including machinists, engineers, technicians, metrology specialists and subcontractors. Projects can span power generation, marine, offshore, oil & gas, steel, mining, cement, nuclear, defence, manufacturing and other heavy industrial sectors. Based from Coventry when not assigned to customer sites, the position requires regular travel throughout the UK, Europe and worldwide. The successful candidate must be comfortable spending periods away from home and working extended, weekend or shutdown hours where required.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of onsite machining projects from customer enquiry and estimating through to completion and commercial close-out.
• Attend customer meetings and site surveys to establish scope, requirements, deliverables, constraints and acceptance criteria.
• Work alongside sales, engineering and operational teams to develop safe, practical and commercially viable execution methods.
• Prepare or coordinate estimates, quotations, programmes, project execution plans and mobilisation requirements.
• Coordinate labour, equipment, tooling, fixtures, metrology, logistics, subcontractors, travel, accommodation and site access.
• Lead temporary multidisciplinary teams of approximately 220 people and act as the principal project contact onsite.
• Monitor programme, labour, equipment, site dependencies, quality and customer requirements, taking corrective action where necessary.
• Remain technically engaged by reviewing machining setups, datums, alignment, tolerances, tooling and measurement results with technical personnel.
• Resolve unforeseen site conditions and technical issues, involving engineering or specialist support where appropriate.
• Ensure project-specific risk assessments, method statements, permits, lifting and access arrangements are implemented effectively.
• Maintain strong safety standards, support toolbox talks and stop work where safety, quality or technical requirements cannot be assured.
• Manage project budgets, forecasts, target margins, labour, overtime, travel, equipment, materials, freight, accommodation and subcontractor costs.
• Identify scope changes and variations early and ensure additional work is properly recorded, priced, communicated and approved.
• Manage project-related suppliers, subcontractors and purchase orders within agreed authority levels.
• Build strong customer relationships, manage expectations and communicate programme, technical and commercial issues clearly.
• Coordinate closely with sales, engineering, operations, workshop, quality, metrology, logistics, procurement and finance teams.
• Support project invoicing, customer acceptance, final cost and margin reviews, demobilisation and lessons-learned activities.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience delivering technically complex projects within mechanical engineering, heavy engineering, field service, maintenance, refurbishment or other industrial environments. Strong practical mechanical understanding with the ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications and dimensional tolerances. Experience of project cost control, forecasting and managing scope changes or variations. Previous experience leading engineers, technicians, contractors or subcontractors within customer-site environments. Strong understanding of industrial safety requirements, RAMS and permit systems. Excellent customer-facing communication, organisation, reporting, problem-solving and decision-making skills. Commercial awareness with the ability to balance programme, cost, quality and customer requirements without compromising safety. Full UK driving licence and valid passport, with the flexibility to travel throughout the UK and internationally.

Desirable Experience

Particularly advantageous experience would include onsite/in-situ machining, heavy machining, mechanical repair, rotating equipment, turbines, generators, large engines, shutdown/outage work, offshore or marine projects, technical estimating, project margin ownership, line boring, shaft machining, flange facing, milling, drilling, precision measurement, metrology, alignment, CAD, tooling or fixture design. A machining, mechanical fitting or engineering apprenticeship, HNC/HND, degree or equivalent practical experience would be advantageous. Project management qualifications such as APM, PRINCE2 or PMI/PMP, together with IOSH, NEBOSH, CSCS, CCNSG or customer-specific certifications, would also be beneficial.

Salary & Benefits

£50,000 - £65,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus: Car Allowance | Management Bonus Scheme | Paid Overtime | UK & Overseas Allowances | Pension Contributions up to 5% | Private Healthcare | Company Sick Pay | Annual Leave | Role-Specific Training & Professional Development.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Project Manager or technically strong engineering professional to join an expanding specialist engineering operation where projects are varied, technically challenging and carried out across major industrial sectors. Contek Recruitment Solutions are keen to speak with experienced Project Managers, Project Engineers and engineering professionals who are looking for a position offering significant responsibility, technical variety and international exposure.

Apply today for further information.