Interim R&D Project Manager Peterborough, Cambridgeshire Private Label & Contract

The Potter and Moore Plc group is made up of a select group of brands specialising in the creation of high-quality personal care and beauty products for the consumer and trade market. Potter + Moore Innovations Ltd is the key trading company based in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and focuses on the design, manufacture and distribution of product in its three key operating functions; Brands (owned), Private Label Supply and Contract Manufacturing. Our customer base ranges from key multiple drugstore, grocery and fashion retailers to premium brands and are supplied throughout the UK and growing international markets. We have a reputation for exceptional customer service, consistently leading the way forward in product and brand development and manufacturing resulting in Potter and Moore Plc not only leading the way but setting standards.

The Opportunity: We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Interim R&D Project Manager to support our research and development team in prioritising workloads, managing deadlines, and ensuring smooth project execution. The ideal candidate will excel at coordinating multiple tasks, maintaining clear communication across teams, and driving projects forward in a fast-paced environment. This is a non-technical project management role focused on coordination, organisation, and workflow management. The successful candidate will not be involved in formulation work, laboratory research, or hands-on technical R&D activities.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Prioritise team tasks, projects, and deliverables based on urgency, deadlines, and business objectives.
• Organise, monitor, and manage R&D team workloads to maximise efficiency.
• Track project progress and follow up with team members to ensure milestones and deadlines are met.
• Maintain accurate project timelines, task trackers, and reporting spreadsheets.
• Adapt priorities quickly in response to changing deadlines, business needs, or project requirements.
• Identify potential bottlenecks and proactively recommend solutions.
• Ensure projects remain on schedule while maintaining quality standards.
• Facilitate communication between stakeholders, researchers, and management.
• Support leadership by providing visibility into project status, priorities, and team capacity.
• Support continuous improvement of project management processes and workflows.

What We Are Looking For:

• Proven experience in R&D project management or a similar role.
• Strong organisational and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and changing priorities.
• Strong communication and coordination skills.
• Detail-oriented with excellent problem-solving capabilities.

Who We Are & How We Work: We're a fast-moving, team-first business where the best idea wins regardless of where it comes from. Hierarchy doesn't slow us down - collaboration does the heavy lifting. People here take full ownership of their work, from the spark of an idea all the way through to results on shelf and numbers on a page. There's no passing the baton and walking away; you see it through, you learn from it, and you make it better next time. We move quickly and adapt. If a problem needs solving, we solve it; we don't wait for the perfect conditions or the perfect brief. That agility isn't just a working style, it's genuinely how we're structured: flexible in how and where we work, lean enough to make decisions fast, and trusting enough to give talented people real responsibility from day one. This is a place where curious, driven, solutions-focused people do some of their best work because they're given the space, the autonomy, and the team around them to make it happen. If you're energised by pace, motivated by ownership, and want to feel the direct impact of your work on a brand you're proud of, you'll fit right in.

What We Can Offer You:

• Competitive Salary & Benefits: We believe in rewarding the hard work and dedication of our employees with a comprehensive compensation package. Our standard benefits include Life Assurance, Employee Assistance Programme, Employee Benefits Platform to name a few.
• Dynamic Work Environment: Be part of a vibrant, collaborative team where innovation and creativity are encouraged.
• Career Growth: Take advantage of clear career pathways, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to take on new challenges and responsibilities.
• Inclusive Culture: Join a diverse and inclusive workplace where different perspectives are valued, and everyone is treated with respect and dignity.