At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT projects in a dynamic food industry environment, managing end-to-end delivery.
- Company: Join Solina, a fast-growing company passionate about sustainable food solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse team, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in an international setting with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food sustainability while advancing your career in IT.
- Qualifications: 6-8 years of IT project management experience, preferably in manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 69750 - 85250 £ per year.
At Solina, our community of close to 5,000 people share a passion for food and live our entrepreneurial culture. We design customised savoury solutions for our clients operating in the food industry, food service, butchery and nutrition markets. With sustainability at the heart of our business model, we aim to produce food that is good in every sense of the word: delicious, nourishing, affordable, sustainable and convenient. Solina is a fast-growing business, with around 50 production sites and R&D laboratories present in more than 19 countries mainly in Europe and North America. By constantly rethinking culinary solutions, we make food matter for people and the planet. If you're ready for a new adventure in a dynamic, expanding, passionate, international company, join us!
Solina is looking for an IT Project Manager with an industrial/manufacturing background to lead the delivery of enterprise application projects across our manufacturing sites and business functions. You will manage end-to-end projects within our global IT Build organization, covering ERP, PLM, CRM, supply chain systems, and integrations. This role owns scope, planning, governance, budget, vendor coordination, deployment, and adoption. Run/Operations teams retain ownership of support; however, you will provide Level 3 expertise for complex incidents. The ideal candidate will have proven experience delivering IT projects in an industrial, manufacturing, or production-driven environment, with a strong understanding of site operations, business processes, and cross-functional stakeholder management. This position will be based in Biggleswade, UK.
Key responsibilities
- Gather business needs and translate them into clear IT requirements and functional specifications.
- Challenge demand against the Group digital roadmap and standard solutions where relevant.
- Define scope, assumptions, constraints, success criteria and delivery approach (waterfall/agile/hybrid).
- Provide high-level estimations (effort/costs), resource needs and delivery options.
Planning, governance & reporting
- Build and maintain delivery plans (milestones, dependencies, resources, budget) and ensure execution.
- Define and run project governance (steering committees, project controls, regular status reporting).
- Maintain RAID management (Risk/Action/Issue/Decision logs) and drive timely decisions.
- Coordinate cross-program dependencies and ensure consistent reporting to leadership.
- Be the contact person for the business and IT project members.
Budget & vendor management
- Estimate workload and costs (internal effort, licenses, external partners) and manage budget tracking.
- Participate in RFPs, vendor selection and contracting support; review statements of work.
- Control subcontractor effectiveness and delivery quality throughout the engagement; manage change requests.
Solution delivery & quality
- Coordinate design/build/configuration, integrations, data migration and deployment across IT teams and partners.
- Define and manage testing strategy (SIT/UAT), acceptance criteria, defect management and release readiness.
- Ensure testing is evidence-based (test results reviewed, logs checked where relevant) and includes end-to-end validation reflecting production constraints (e.g., printing/scanning or other peripherals when applicable).
- Ensure documentation is produced and kept up to date (solution, procedures, handover pack).
Change, deployment & adoption
- Prepare and execute cutover/go-live plans, communications, training and hypercare.
- Support change management and business readiness activities; ensure stakeholder alignment.
- Ensure operational risk is controlled through readiness checks, testing evidence and structured transition to Run.
Transition to Run & Level 3 expertise
- Plan and execute structured transition to Run (knowledge transfer, service acceptance, support model, KPIs).
- Provide Level 3 functional/technical expertise for complex incidents/major problems (Run remains the ticket owner).
- Support root cause analysis and corrective action plans with Run teams and vendors to prevent recurrence.
Business analysis support for small/medium initiatives
- For smaller initiatives (e.g., local apps, workflow automation), facilitate workshops, document requirements and translate them into actionable work items and acceptance criteria.
- For large programmes (e.g., ERP rollouts), coordinate with product owners, business analysts and solution leads to ensure a complete and validated requirements baseline.
Success measures (examples)
- Milestones delivered on time with controlled scope and documented decisions.
- Budget and vendor performance effectively managed with clear accountability.
- Go-lives executed with stable hypercare, clean operational handover and limited disruption to plants.
- High stakeholder satisfaction and measurable adoption of delivered solutions.
- Reduced recurrence of major issues through effective root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Your Profile
- 6/8 years of IT project management experience (with an industrial background).
- Proven ERP or enterprise application implementation experience regarding production and/or supply chain.
- Solid understanding of integrations, APIs, and data migration.
- Experience in manufacturing and multi-site environments preferred.
- Strong stakeholder management across functions and geographies.
- PMP certification preferred; Agile certification is a plus.
- Fluent English required.
- Professional ethics.
- Willingness to travel.
If you are comfortable operating in an international environment and driving structured, high-quality delivery across complex landscapes, we invite you to apply.
We are open to talents of all backgrounds. Our recruitment process is based on competences, and we openly welcome all candidates of all types according to our DEI Commitment.
IT Project Manager in Biggleswade employer: Solina Group
At Solina, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, fostering a vibrant work culture that prioritises sustainability and employee growth. Located in Biggleswade, our team enjoys competitive benefits and the opportunity to engage in meaningful work that impacts both people and the planet. Join us to be part of a passionate community dedicated to innovation in the food industry, where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Project Manager in Biggleswade
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Solina Group, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Project Manager in Biggleswade
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Solina Group specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Solina Group
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Solina Group, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Solina Group value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.