Commissioning Manager in Church Fenton

Purpose of the Role

To lead, manage, and optimise the commissioning process for projects, overseeing the work of Project Commissioning Engineers and ensuring the successful and efficient delivery of commissioning phases. The Commissioning Manager will act as the escalation point for project commissioning issues, take the lead on a small number of key projects, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure commissioning activities are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with safety regulations. The role will involve planning, resource optimisation, and ensuring that the commissioning process remains efficient, cost‑effective, and aligned with customer expectations.

Key Accountabilities And Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the performance of Project Commissioning Engineers, ensuring that they are effectively supported in delivering their commissioning responsibilities.
• Act as the escalation point for any issues that arise during the commissioning phase, ensuring prompt resolution and clear communication to stakeholders.
• Ensure 50% of time is accounted for directly on projects.
• Lead commissioning efforts on smaller or key projects, taking full responsibility for the commissioning phase's success from handover to final completion.
• Provide guidance and support to Project Commissioning Engineers in managing project commissioning, ensuring that plans are followed and any risks are mitigated.
• Monitor commissioning progress, ensuring that resources are optimised, schedules are adhered to, and issues are promptly addressed to avoid delays.
• Ensure that all commissioning activities are carried out in line with company standards, quality expectations, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Project Management and other departments to plan and optimise commissioning processes, minimising commissioning costs and time while maintaining quality.
• Review and approve commissioning lead times for all new projects to ensure timely and realistic planning, supporting the sales and bid teams with accurate estimates.
• Work with the engineering team to support pre‑commissioning activities and proof‑of‑principle work ahead of commissioning, ensuring smooth transitions between project stages.
• Develop and refine commissioning strategies, using a quick win/quick loss approach to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce wasted time during commissioning.
• Ensure that commissioning plans are risk‑assessed and de‑risk challenging processes to prevent delays during commissioning execution.
• Provide leadership in identifying bottlenecks, resource shortages, or other challenges that may affect commissioning progress and take proactive steps to address them.
• Ensure that all commissioning processes are carried out safely and that risks are appropriately assessed and managed throughout the commissioning phase.
• Maintain a high focus on health and safety throughout the commissioning process, ensuring compliance with all relevant safety standards and regulations.
• Monitor and review risk assessments for all commissioning activities, ensuring that any high‑risk activities are identified, mitigated, and communicated effectively.
• Monitor high‑level commissioning budgets, ensuring that all commissioning activities are delivered within the allocated budget and any cost overruns are identified and addressed promptly.
• Ensure that resources are efficiently utilised, and unnecessary costs are avoided by continually evaluating the commissioning process for areas of improvement.
• Provide regular commissioning cost reports and projections to senior management, identifying any potential budgetary concerns and taking corrective actions when needed.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the commissioning function, ensuring that the process is as efficient as possible without compromising on safety or quality.
• Support the development and implementation of best practices, tools, and methodologies to streamline commissioning processes and reduce commissioning time and costs.
• Identify and implement improvements that ensure smoother handovers between project phases, from engineering design through to commissioning and final sign‑off.

Core Values & Competencies

• Integrity
• Drive
• Collaboration
• Expertise
• Innovation

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• Proven experience in commissioning management, with experience leading commissioning teams in industrial automation or machinery systems.
• Strong background in project commissioning, with the ability to handle commissioning of complex systems and machinery.
• Experience in resource planning, risk management, and cost control for commissioning projects.
• Ability to assess and mitigate risks, ensuring that high‑risk activities are identified and proactively managed.
• Demonstrable experience in project management, with strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Strong understanding of safety standards, health and safety regulations, and risk assessment procedures related to commissioning.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage with both internal stakeholders and customers effectively.
• Experience in de‑risking challenging processes and implementing quick win/quick loss strategies to optimise commissioning performance.

Desirable

• Experience managing commissioning on complex automation systems, control systems, or industrial machinery.
• Familiarity with commissioning management software, project planning tools (e.g., MS Project), and scheduling platforms.
• Experience working with cross‑functional teams, including design, engineering, production, and project management, to ensure smooth commissioning.
• Knowledge of industry regulations and standards (e.g., CE marking, ISO 9001, Machinery Directive).
• Experience in cost estimation, project sales support, and providing input on commissioning lead times for sales inquiries.
• Previous involvement in the continuous improvement of commissioning processes or methodologies within a company.

Essential Technical Skills and Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Automation, or a related technical field.
• Strong understanding of project commissioning processes, including Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
• Proficiency with project management tools and scheduling software.
• Ability to work with engineering drawings and technical specifications for machinery and automation systems.
• Ability to assess commissioning timelines, budgets, and resources effectively.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills.

Desirable

• Certification in Project Management (e.g., PRINCE2).
• Experience in managing commissioning for automation, robotics, or high‑tech machinery projects.
• Familiarity with risk management and health and safety standards in commissioning environments.
• Previous experience with commissioning software or tools for process monitoring, scheduling, and progress tracking.

Relationship and Reporting Line

• Reports to: Operations Director
• Direct Reports (if applicable): Commissioning Project Engineers
• Working relationships with: Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Project Management

Seniority level Not Applicable

Employment type Full‑time

Job function Project Management and Information Technology

Industries Automation Machinery Manufacturing