Project Manager

Role:Project Manager

Location:Bristol, Emersons Green

Hours of work:Standard with early finish Fridays

Contract type:2-year FTC

Looking for your next project management challenge?

We’re looking for an experienced and organised Food Project Manager to join our Bristol team and play a key role in delivering food requirements across UK Defence contracts. This is a varied role where you’ll work across technical, commercial and operational teams to turn requirements into practical plans and successfully deliver change across food ranges. If you’re a confident project manager who enjoys bringing people together, solving problems and seeing projects through from planning to implementation, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the project to deliver the Defence Requirement for Food across Team LEIDOS Defence Food Contracts.
• Working closely with the DRF Food Technologist to understand requirements and assess their impact across food ranges.
• Developing detailed project plans, including activities, timelines, resources, dependencies and deliverables.
• Assessing different implementation options and providing recommendations based on cost, timescales and practicality.
• Producing and maintaining key project documentation, including project plans, risk registers, stakeholder matrices and management plans.
• Providing regular project updates, management information and briefings to senior stakeholders and Directors.
• Project managing the implementation of the DRF across existing UK Defence food ranges.
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and support continuous improvement.
• Supporting food selection panels and range reviews with customers and suppliers.
• Supporting strategic supplier negotiations and attending relevant customer, supplier and contractor meetings.

What we’re looking for

You’ll be someone who:

• Has a recognised project management qualification such as APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent.
• Has demonstrable experience of successfully managing projects through to delivery.
• Is highly organised with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage business-critical deadlines.
• Has strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Is confident presenting project information and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Can analyse complex information and turn it into clear, practical plans.
• Is proactive, solutions-focused and comfortable managing competing priorities.
• Is confident using Microsoft Project, Word, Excel and databases.
• Has experience within the food sector or knowledge of Government Buying Standards for Food (desirable but not essential).

Key Highlights:

• Take ownership of projects that support the delivery of food across UK Defence contracts, from initial analysis and planning through to successful implementation.
• Collaborate with technical, commercial, operational, supplier and customer stakeholders to develop practical solutions and deliver successful outcomes.
• Join a supportive and professional environment offering a strong benefits package, hybrid working, career progression and opportunities to build your project management experience.

Why join us?

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Food team and work on projects that directly support the delivery of food to UK Defence customers. You’ll work with a wide range of technical, commercial, operational, supplier and customer stakeholders, giving you the opportunity to broaden your project management experience while working on projects with real operational impact.

In return for your hard work, we offer excellent career progression opportunities and a professional environment where you can acquire, use, and continue developing your skills.

Your package will include:

• Competitive Salary
• Pension scheme with up to 6% employer matched contributions
• Life assurance
• 25 days holiday + 8 statutory bank holidays (of which 5 can be taken flexibly throughout the year)
• Holiday buy-back scheme (5 additional days available)
• Established hybrid working structure
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Employee Assistance Programme supporting wellness with immediate access for you and your family to:
  • Virtual GP consultations and second opinions
  • Mental health support and counselling
  • Online physiotherapy
  • Access to CONNECTPlus long-term health condition support
  • Wellbeing and healthy living support
• Cycle to work scheme
• Professional Membership and Study Sponsorship
• Pass scheme (£100 per year to undertake training of your choice)
• Quarterly employee recognition awards
• Employee referral scheme with financial reward
• Benefits hub with employee retail discounts
• Discounted eye test vouchers
• Early finish Fridays

Security Clearance Requirement

Candidates must be eligible to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance. This process includes verification of identity, right to work in the UK, employment history, and a basic criminal records check for unspent convictions. Please note that candidates must have resided in the UK for 3 years to meet BPSS eligibility requirements.