Head of Project Management (Retail and Rental+)

We are Lowe, a globally recognized brand for innovation, ambition and high quality. Our unique culture is built on people, from motivating and developing our highly talented team, to truly listening to and delivering against our clients’ needs. With over 40 years’ experience, today Lowe Rental is the world’s leading refrigeration and catering equipment supplier to major food exhibitions, sporting events and retailers across the globe; from the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix to Glastonbury.

The Role: As Head of Retail & Rental+ Projects, you will be responsible for managing and leading a small team, planning and scheduling work and full delivery within the retail and Rental + service lines. The role will involve both desk-based project management and site visits, site work for installations (including weekends and overnight) and an element of predominantly UK travel. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including transport, warehouse and sales to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. Your role will involve strategic planning, risk management, stakeholder management and communication, and performance monitoring to ensure project success and alignment with our business objectives.

Your role will also include working closely with clients and contractors to ensure all communication is clear throughout the project. Your role will involve using our systems to track, manage and monitor our assets. Travel will be roughly 20 – 50% of the working week with the remainder of the time spent office based. Based at our Marchington office, the role will also liaise closely with our warehouse team to ensure loads are correct ready for delivery.

Projects range from long term rental with multiple stage rollouts and call off contracts. Store refits and seasonal promotion projects throughout the year with tier 1 clients. The role also involves working as part of a wider team to deliver a substantial Christmas programme with a tier 1 customer (alongside multiple smaller rollouts with other clients). This is both an internal and external role.

Internally the candidate will be working with other departments including Sales, Design, Technical Support, and warehouse in the preparation of project delivery plans. Whilst in the office, there will be liaison with the different Department Managers. Externally the role may include the site delivery and management of foodservice installations. There would be an expectation for this role to be hands on when required to assist with the positioning of equipment and units. The role will also liaise closely and directly with the client to ensure their needs are met. Whilst we are happy for the candidate to be primarily remote, this role would require successful applicants to be at one of our UK sites twice a week when need arises.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Take responsibility for the delivery of projects on time and within the agreed budget.
• Work with clients and sub-contract teams in order to facilitate the successful completion of projects on time and in budget.
• Go to site and undertake installs and site surveys for Renal + and Retail projects whilst managing multiple projects, stakeholders and team members.
• Manage quality issues to ensure that the standards specified by the client are met and problem solve to ensure timely delivery and quality standards.
• Communicate with other project team members and clients to ensure successful implementation.
• Use Business Central to create loads, look at contracts, plan projects and resolve system errors. Take this on as a day to day responsibility.
• Use the transport planner booking system to make bookings with transport and liaise with the client and sales representative as appropriate.
• Keep good communication within the Retail / Rental + & operational teams and project launch teams.
• Highlight issues as early as possible and help resolve issues as quickly as possible.
• Make sure there is clear communication between the sales and project team, in terms of scope, customer expectation, service level, timescales and quality, pipeline of projects and roll out programmes.
• Build a strong relationship with the Sales team and influence early on in potential projects to ensure realistic budgets and timescales are defined.
• Create site documentation including RAMS, site surveys, project launches and any other documentation required.
• Create orders and book in install teams for projects using third party suppliers.

Health and Safety:

• Ensure that all HASAW requirements are met and that the company’s HASAW policy is followed.
• To always carry out tasks in accordance with any documented risk assessment and safe working practice.
• Ensure that all personnel attending site on behalf of the business sign and understand the method statement.
• Ensure that daily signing in sheets are completed by all personnel and contractors.
• To set a high standard of personal appearance in all aspects of any project team, to include care and use of clothing.
• Respect, cleanliness and care for company and the client’s company property and vehicles.
• Maintain a clean and tidy site.
• Adhere to each site rules set out by the principal contractor.

Technical Qualifications & Required Experience:

• Previous experience operating as a Project Manager, with end-to-end planning responsibilities (at least 5 years experience).
• Previous experience of line management, leadership and development of more junior project managers.
• CSCS or SMSTS (if not already attained, must be willing to complete this).
• UKATA Asbestos awareness (if not already attained, must be willing to complete this).
• Full clean driving licence required.
• Previous experience of construction sites preferred; site supervision essential.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team.
• Competency in using a laptop to communicate with the office, clients, contractors and suppliers including using Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Experience in food retail settings, refrigeration and or a rental business desirable.

Personal Attributes:

• Able to supervise, manage and control a small team in a fast-moving operational environment.
• “Hands on”, can do attitude, resourceful, rolls sleeves up to get the job done.
• Good communicator at all levels – thinks up, down and across. Clear communicator with client.
• Focuses on financial as well as operational performance, uses resources carefully, thinks about how to get more for less.
• Takes decisions logically, takes ownership and demonstrates clearly the rationale for decisions made.
• Works in a tidy, organised way, never leaves things to the last minute, prioritises their work activities, tackles tasks systematically, is always prepared, plans how to meet deadlines.
• Able to act calmly under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail and getting the small things done right.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.
• Ability to hit the ground running and takes initiative.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Must be eligible to gain CRB/DBS (Criminal Record Background/Disclosure Barring Service) clearance.
• Willing to travel anywhere in the UK with little notice and work unsociable hours and weekends.
• Exceptional candidates who do not meet these criteria may be considered for the role provided they have the necessary skills and experience.

Lowe is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. We are incredibly selective in our hiring and shortlisting for this vacancy will be completed on the basis of merit. Candidates should tailor their CVs to reflect our essential criteria.