Programme Manager in Milton Keynes

About the position

GEA is one of the world’s leading system suppliers to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Our extensive portfolio spans machinery and complete plants, advanced process technologies, components and a full range of services. Driven by a strong sense of purpose, our more than 18,000 employees worldwide are committed to improving the sustainability and efficiency of production processes across the globe.

GEA – Did you know?

• Every third chicken nugget produced worldwide is made using GEA equipment
• One in three instant coffee production lines is installed by GEA
• One quarter of all processed milk is produced using GEA systems
• Nearly every second litre of beer is made with GEA technology
• One third of all polymer producers rely on GEA drying technology
• GEA emission control systems help prevent almost two million tonnes of pollutants each year
• Half of the world’s container ships operate with GEA marine equipment
• GEA industrial heating and refrigeration solutions are used across almost every industry we serve

Your responsibilities and tasks

Flexible UK Location

Reporting to the Director of Service and Projects, the Programme Manager will provide strategic leadership to the project management function and drive a culture of excellence and continuous improvement across all customer programmes. This role will define what outstanding programme and project delivery looks like at GEA—establishing clear frameworks, standards, and expectations that set the benchmark for internal teams and external customers.

Overseeing a portfolio of 15–20 projects at any given time and leading a team of two Project Managers (growing to three in 2026), the Programme Manager will ensure that all programmes are delivered on time, in full, and to the highest levels of customer and colleague satisfaction. The role requires strong collaboration across commercial, service, and operational teams to create alignment, remove barriers, and ensure consistent execution from initiation through to completion.

Technical Leadership

Oversee the performance of all projects within the programme portfolio, ensuring alignment with company objectives, scope, financial KPIs, quality standards, resource plans, and risk controls.

Establish and implement a best‑practice GEA project management framework, aligned to company values and KPIs, to drive and high‑quality delivery.

Provide technical and commercial expertise to support Project Managers, ensuring all quotes are competitively positioned and have the highest chance of conversion.

Build strong relationships with customer stakeholders as the senior GEA point of contact, offering guidance and subject‑matter expertise throughout the project lifecycle.

Ensure effective management of suppliers and sub‑contractors, defining clear expectations around KPIs, ways of working, contractual obligations, and communication requirements.

Lead strategic meetings with internal and external stakeholders to maintain oversight of project status, budgets, risks, and required interventions.

Ensure business leaders are kept informed of project progress, pipeline activity, and budget impacts through timely and accurate reporting.

Proactively identify risks and implement mitigation plans in collaboration with senior stakeholders.

Lead the escalation management process, ensuring issues are addressed swiftly and effectively.

Financial & Contracts Management

Take ownership of key financial metrics and budgets across all projects, ensuring revenue and EBITDA targets are consistently achieved.

Engage directly with customers to resolve invoice queries efficiently and maintain positive financial relationships.

Provide accurate and timely input for monthly forecasting and financial reporting.

Support teams in preparing NM submissions where required.

Lead the management and resolution of contractual issues with customers and sub‑contractors.

Motivate, support, and role‑model GEA values and behaviours, building a high‑performing project management team.

Foster a culture of collaboration, cohesion, and shared commitment to delivery excellence and continuous improvement.

Identify individual development needs within the PM team and create tailored plans, feedback cycles, and milestones to support growth and performance.

Champion constructive collaboration across the wider GEA organisation and among external partners.

Your profile and qualifications

Instinctively structured, organised and methodical.

Passionate about ongoing performance improvement.

Skilled in building team cohesion and fostering a performance‑improvement ethos.

Confident and articulate when communicating across all audiences, with a strong ability to resolve challenges and drive collaboration.

A strong and engaging people leader; adept at setting clear expectations, galvanising team members, and inspiring high performance.

Skilled at building multi‑level relationships with both internal colleagues and customers.

Demonstrable ability to prioritise effectively, work independently, and perform under pressure.

Requirements

Extensive experience and a proven track record in project management across capital equipment projects.

Strong knowledge of current project management best practice and experience implementing these approaches within an organisation.

Experience in building and developing successful project management teams.

Excellent communicator with the ability to engage and motivate both internal and customer stakeholders.

Technically qualified in project management, ideally supported by an engineering background.

Primarily field‑based with travel across the UK; 1–2 days per week required at GEA HQ in Milton Keynes.

Equal Opportunity Statement

GEA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will therefore receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, world view, national origin, genetics, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic required by applicable law. Applicants with disabilities are welcome and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified.