Apprentice Project Manager

Join us as an Apprentice Project Manager and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity! As an Associate Project Manager, you will help the organisation achieve its goals by planning and managing projects aligned to Fera’s 5-year Strategic Plan. Projects might be focused on construction/refurbishment of facilities, implementation of new systems, new product launches, effectiveness and efficiency projects, or projects intended to improve quality, environmental or Health and Safety compliance, merger and acquisition activity. This role offers exposure to either a single complex project or a number of related smaller projects, providing an excellent foundation for developing a career in project management.

What you’ll be doing:

• Agree and deliver project outcomes that realise defined benefits, to the required quality, within agreed time and cost constraints.
• Take accountability for managing risks, issues, actions, decisions, dependencies, and lessons learned, ensuring information is captured and maintained accurately.
• Identify, engage, and manage stakeholders effectively, tailoring your approach to their role and level of involvement.
• Support delivery across a range of projects, from smaller initiatives impacting a single team to larger projects with long-term organisational impact.
• Independently manage smaller projects end-to-end, where appropriate.
• Monitor day-to-day project delivery, supporting revenue and cost discussions within agreed constraints.
• Produce regular, high-quality project reports for Executive-level Project Sponsors and Steering Groups.
• Communicate clearly and confidently with colleagues at all levels across the organisation.
• Learn and apply industry-recognised project management tools, techniques, and methodologies.
• If eligible, study towards a Level 6 Project Management apprenticeship, attending online learning alongside gaining hands-on project management experience.

What we’re looking for:

• A minimum of 3 A Levels or a Level 3 qualification (e.g. BTEC Diploma). If you are not eligible for the apprenticeship route, we will also consider applications based on relevant experience.
• A basic understanding of project management principles or methodologies, with a genuine desire to develop as a Project Manager.
• Excellent listening, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to translate ideas into practical outcomes.
• The ability to break complex concepts into manageable actions to drive progress against a project plan.
• Confidence to challenge constructively, provide feedback, and proactively support others, with guidance from senior colleagues.
• Strong reporting skills, with an understanding of why accurate and timely project reporting is critical.
• An appreciation of the importance of effective risk and issue management, and the ability to manage these with support.

What’s in it for you?

• 25 days’ holiday (rising to 29) with the opportunity to buy & sell extra leave.
• Flexible working hours, on-site gym, restaurant, and free parking.
• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice.
• Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks…and plenty more.
• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle - from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology.
• Fera operates a LTIP (Long Term Incentive Plan) under which all employees are awarded points towards shares in the Employee Benefits Trust on an annual basis. The Employee Benefits Trust holds shares on behalf of our employee, at the point of an equity event the shares will realise a cash value.

What we hope you’ll do next:

Choose ‘Apply now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions you’d like to ask before applying, you can contact recruitment@fera.co.uk.

We’re an equal opportunity employer, which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. We’re committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. If you need the job description or application form in an alternative format or if you’d like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward, please email at recruitment@fera.co.uk and we’ll get back to you.