At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a fully automated coldstore warehouse project from design to handover.
- Company: Join apetito, the UK's leading food supplier dedicated to health and social care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, free parking, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusion and sustainability while advancing your career.
- Why this job: Be a change agent in a dynamic environment focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and experience in large-scale project management required.
Are you a passionate change agent who thrives on unlocking efficiencies and empowering teams? We’re seeking a results-driven Project Director to lead the delivery of a fully automated coldstore warehouse facility near Bristol from design through commissioning and handover. This senior role combines programme leadership, board-level stakeholder management, rigorous financial control, risk governance, and tight cross-functional integration with enterprise programmes such as S4/Hana and our new food manufacturing facility.
You'll be experienced in managing large scale warehouse projects and have a proven track record of working to budgets and meeting deadlines.
Key Performance Indicators- Budget variance: Final project cost within agreed tolerance.
- Schedule adherence: Achievement of critical milestones and on-time commissioning.
- Safety and compliance: Zero major HSE incidents; successful regulatory approvals and validation.
- Integration success: S4/Hana and WMS interfaces delivered and stable at go-live.
- Stakeholder satisfaction: Positive Board and operational sponsor feedback; timely executive decisions.
Responsibilities
- End-to-end project leadership: Own the project lifecycle — scope, design, procurement, construction, automation integration, commissioning, validation, and handover.
- Programme planning and delivery: Develop and maintain integrated master schedules, critical path analysis, and milestone plans; drive on-time delivery.
- Contract and supplier management: Lead procurement strategy, negotiate major contracts (EPC, automation vendors, integrators), manage contractor performance and change control.
- Quality, HSE and compliance: Ensure design and build meet food safety, cold-chain, regulatory and HSE standards; lead FAT/SAT and validation activities.
- Commissioning and operational readiness: Oversee testing, training, SOPs, and transition to operations including spares, maintenance plans and warranty management.
- Benefits realisation: Define and track operational KPIs and financial benefits; ensure the facility delivers expected throughput, efficiency and cost savings.
- Ability to train the leadership team in basic skills and understanding of lean principles, 5 Whys and problem solving.
Stakeholder Management and Governance
- Board-level engagement: Prepare and present concise, data-driven updates to UK Executive and Group Board sponsors; translate technical progress into strategic impact and decisions required.
- Governance and reporting: Establish and chair governance forums (Steering Committee, Change Control Board); produce monthly Board packs, highlight reports and decision papers.
- Senior stakeholder relationships: Build trusted relationships with internal stakeholders (Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, IT, Legal, HR) and external stakeholders (local authorities, utilities, major suppliers).
- Escalation and decision facilitation: Proactively surface issues, propose options with commercial and risk implications, and secure timely executive decisions.
Financial Management and Risk Management
- Budget ownership: Own project budget and cost control processes; produce rolling forecasts, cashflow profiles and variance analysis.
- Financial tracking and controls: Implement robust cost tracking, change order governance, and approval thresholds; coordinate with Group Finance for capital accounting and audit readiness.
- Commercial oversight: Manage commercial risk, claims, retention, and contract close-out; ensure value for money and protect company interests.
- Risk governance: Maintain and drive an active risk register with quantified impacts and mitigations; lead risk workshops and ensure Board-level visibility of top risks and mitigations.
- Contingency and scenario planning: Model downside scenarios, contingency drawdown plans and recovery strategies for schedule or cost overruns.
Cross-Functional Integration and Systems Interfaces
- ERP and IT integration: Act as the primary project liaison with the S4/Hana implementation team to ensure seamless integration of WMS, inventory, finance and operational master data; coordinate cutover and data migration activities.
- Coordination with Trowbridge manufacturing facility: Align timelines, utilities, logistics and operational interfaces with the new food manufacturing facility; manage shared resources, site access and commissioning windows.
- OT/IT convergence: Oversee integration of automation control systems, SCADA, WMS, and cyber security requirements with IT and OT teams.
- Change management and training: Work with HR and Operations to design training, organisational change plans and go-live support to secure adoption and operational stability.
About you
- Essential Qualifications and Experience: Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, or related discipline.
- Prince2 Practitioner, PMP, or equivalent.
- Proven track record of delivering large industrial automation or cold-chain projects (capital value typically £20m+).
- Significant experience in senior project leadership roles.
- ERP integration experience: Direct experience working with S4/Hana or major ERP/WMS integrations during capital projects.
Essential Skills
- Board-level communication: Exceptional ability to present complex issues succinctly to senior executives and Boards.
- Financial acumen: Strong budgeting, forecasting and commercial negotiation skills.
- Risk and governance: Expert in risk quantification, mitigation planning and governance frameworks.
- Technical understanding: Knowledge of automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), robotics, refrigeration engineering and controls.
- Leadership and influence: Strong stakeholder management, cross-functional collaboration and people leadership.
- Tools: Proficient with MS Project/Primavera, cost control systems, and reporting tools; comfortable with data-driven dashboards. Formal training in financial/project controls is desirable.
Due to the location, a full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle are essential.
Company Benefits
- Free on-site parking
- Competitive day rate
Our Values
As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of. We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers. We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people. We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040. Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer. We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds. Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.
Interim Project Director employer: apetito
At apetito, we pride ourselves on being a family-owned business that not only delivers exceptional meals but also fosters a supportive and inclusive work environment. Located near Bristol, our commitment to employee growth is evident through our focus on training and development, alongside competitive benefits such as free on-site parking and a competitive day rate. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the health and social care sectors while working with a passionate team dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Project Director
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like apetito, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Interim Project Director at apetito.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Project Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at apetito
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
