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- Tasks: Lead a major expansion project in advanced manufacturing, driving automation and productivity improvements.
- Company: A leading UK advanced manufacturing organisation with a focus on energy equipment.
- Benefits: Excellent salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of engineering.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Join a high-impact role that influences operational excellence in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in manufacturing, strong leadership skills, and a background in aerospace or complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Our is a major UK advanced manufacturing organisation that is undertaking a significant growth programme within its critical energy equipment division — and we’re hiring a Project Director to drive one of the most strategically important expansion projects in the business. This is a senior, high‑impact role leading the full lifecycle of a major operational expansion programme, working closely with executive leadership and cross‑functional teams to deliver transformational improvements across automation, productivity, and manufacturing capability. If you’re an experienced project leader with deep manufacturing expertise and a passion for operational excellence, this is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a high‑performance engineering environment.
What You’ll Lead
- Own and deliver the full expansion project for the critical energy equipment segment at the Exeter site.
- Develop operational plans aligned with customer expectations, business goals, and annual KPIs.
- Lead automation initiatives, departmental consolidation, and productivity improvements across multiple functions.
- Oversee daily–quarterly reporting to ensure visibility of operational performance.
- Drive improvements in labour utilisation, quality, throughput, and manufacturing efficiency.
- Manage complex manufacturing projects from concept through qualification and training.
- Meet financial objectives through effective budgeting, variance analysis, and corrective action planning.
Leadership
- Lead and mentor a project team, building a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.
- Maintain strong relationships across engineering, manufacturing, commercial, scheduling, and quality teams.
- Ensure programme goals, scope, and deliverables are clearly defined and communicated.
- Track actions, risks, and progress, providing regular updates to stakeholders.
- Resolve cross‑functional disconnects and drive alignment across the organisation.
- Conduct programme reviews with internal and external stakeholders.
Skills needed
Essential
- Minimum 15 years’ experience in manufacturing, including operational leadership.
- Proven experience leading large‑scale CAPEX projects.
- Strong background in aerospace, metals, or complex manufacturing environments.
- Excellent analytical capability and deep understanding of manufacturing processes.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, and team leadership skills.
- High proficiency in Microsoft Office and data‑driven tools.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (accredited university).
- Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen experience.
- Demonstrated success driving automation and operational excellence.
- Experience working in matrix organisations.
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to lead technical teams and influence at all levels.
Project Director in Exeter employer: Energy Jobline ZR
Contact Detail:
Energy Jobline ZR Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Director in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the manufacturing sector, especially those who have experience with CAPEX projects. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your project management skills. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've driven automation and operational excellence in past roles. We want to see that passion shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our team at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Director in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Project Director role. Highlight your experience in manufacturing and project leadership, especially any large-scale CAPEX projects you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about operational excellence and how you can drive transformational improvements. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your analytical capabilities and leadership skills. Numbers speak volumes, so if you improved efficiency or reduced costs, let us know how!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Energy Jobline ZR
✨Know Your Project Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the expansion project you'll be leading. Familiarise yourself with the company's current operations, their goals for the project, and how it aligns with their overall strategy. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and expertise during the discussion.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Project Director, your leadership skills are crucial. Be prepared to discuss your approach to mentoring teams and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Share specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams through complex projects.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Given the technical nature of the role, brush up on your knowledge of manufacturing processes, automation initiatives, and CAPEX project management. Be ready to answer questions that assess your analytical capabilities and problem-solving skills, as well as how you've driven operational excellence in previous roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Management Scenarios
Expect to discuss how you manage relationships across various functions. Prepare scenarios where you've resolved cross-functional disconnects or aligned teams towards common goals. This will showcase your communication skills and ability to influence at all levels, which is vital for this position.