Senior Project Manager - Business IT in Leeds

We’re looking for a Senior Project Manager Business IT. This is not a traditional IT project role. This is about delivering real change in live operational environments working directly with engineering and site teams to implement systems that improve performance, efficiency and safety across our business.

If you enjoy leading complex transformation, working close to operations, and seeing your work make a tangible difference, this role offers the opportunity to deliver meaningful impact at scale.

The impact you’ll make:

• You will lead major enterprise system and business transformation programmes that improve how Panda operates across Finance, Commercial, Operations, Engineering and IT.
• Your focus will be simple: deliver systems that work in the real world not just on paper.
• You’ll take ownership of projects from concept through to implementation and adoption, ensuring solutions are embedded into day-to-day operations and deliver measurable business value.
• You’ll work closely with operational teams across our waste and recycling facilities, helping shape practical solutions that improve performance, scalability and long-term efficiency.
• Your work will directly support Panda’s continued growth and operational excellence.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading major transformation delivery.
• Deliver end-to-end enterprise business systems and process change programmes.
• Lead ERP, finance, commercial, logistics and operational system implementations.
• Manage complex projects from initial concept through to go-live and handover.
• Coordinate internal teams, suppliers, and implementation partners.
• Deliver change in live operational and safety-critical environments.
• Spend time on operational waste and recycling sites across the UK.
• Partner directly with engineering, operations and maintenance teams.
• Translate operational needs into practical system solutions.
• Support installation, commissioning and early life support activities.
• Ensure systems are usable, safe and effective in real operations.
• Driving stakeholder alignment.
• Work closely with senior leaders across IT, Finance, Commercial and Operations.
• Build strong relationships across technical and non-technical teams.
• Shape delivery plans, milestones and success measures.
• Manage risks, dependencies and key decisions proactively.
• Ensuring successful change adoption.
• Prepare operational teams for system changes.
• Embed new processes, controls and working practices.
• Ensure smooth transition to business-as-usual ownership.
• Drive user adoption and long-term operational stability.
• Delivering commercial value.
• Manage significant project budgets and resources.
• Ensure strong governance, reporting and delivery discipline.
• Track benefits and measurable business outcomes.
• Support continuous improvement across the project delivery function.

What success looks like:

• Systems fully embedded into day-to-day operations.
• Strong adoption across operational teams.
• Measurable improvements in efficiency and performance.
• Smooth transition into BAU ownership.
• Transformation delivered safely in live operational environments.

What you’ll bring:

We’re looking for someone who combines strong delivery expertise with a practical, hands-on approach. You’ll likely have:

• Significant experience delivering large-scale business or IT transformation projects.
• A strong track record implementing enterprise systems (ERP, finance, commercial, data or operational platforms).
• Experience working in industrial, engineering, utilities, logistics, manufacturing or similar environments.
• Confidence working directly with operational and engineering teams.
• Experience managing complex programmes, vendors and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong stakeholder management and leadership capability.

It would be great if you also have:

• Project management certification (PRINCE2, PMP, Agile, MSP or similar).
• Experience in waste, recycling, energy or heavy industry environments.
• Experience working in multi-entity or multi-country organisations.
• Understanding of operational health and safety environments.

Who you are:

• Commercially minded and outcome focused.
• Hands-on and comfortable working on operational sites.
• Structured, pragmatic and calm under pressure.
• A strong communicator who bridges technical and operational teams.
• Confident working with senior stakeholders and leadership teams.
• Motivated by delivering real business impact.

We are Panda. We value waste. We’re in the business of waste management but that doesn’t just mean collecting bins. Behind every collection is a passionate team of people finding smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Over the past 30 years, Panda has grown into a leading resource recovery business, bringing together almost 3,000 people across multiple brands, united by a shared vision and strong values. While our operations are diverse, our purpose is clear: to protect our people, support our customers, and create positive impact for the communities and environments we serve.

At Panda, people are at the heart of everything we do. We work as one team, combining different skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. We care for each other’s wellbeing, encourage development, and support growth because we know we’re stronger together.

We expect excellence in how we operate. High standards, bold thinking, and continuous improvement drive our passion for innovation. We challenge the ordinary, put safety first, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that move our business forward.

We own what we do. From day-to-day tasks to major projects, we take pride in our work and responsibility for the outcome. We don’t walk past problems; we address them together. Our expertise, reliability, and care reflect who we are and the difference we make.

And above all, we act with trust and integrity. Trust is built through open communication, honesty, and accountability. It allows us to move quickly, make confident decisions, and deliver results — knowing our people are empowered to do the right thing.

Our journey depends on talented, committed people who want to make an impact. Take the first step and join us on the journey.