General Manager - Engineering & Fabrication

General Manager - Engineering & Fabrication ¦ Fort William, Scotland

Northern Engineering & Welding Co. (NEWCo)
Permanent ¦ Competitive Salary ¦ Exceptional Leadership Opportunity

Lead a Thriving Engineering Business in One of the UK's Most Stunning Locations

Are you an ambitious engineering leader ready to take full ownership of a successful and growing business?

Northern Engineering & Welding Co. (NEWCo), part of AJ Engineering & Construction Services Ltd and the wider RSK Group, is seeking a commercially minded General Manager to lead our Fort William operation. This is a rare opportunity to combine business leadership, operational excellence and strategic growth within a well-established engineering company, whilst enjoying an outstanding lifestyle in the Scottish Highlands.

Whether you're already based in Scotland or considering a relocation, Fort William offers an incredible quality of life. Nestled beneath Ben Nevis and surrounded by mountains, lochs and breathtaking scenery, it's a fantastic place to build a career while enjoying outdoor living, shorter commutes and a true work-life balance. For anyone looking to relocate for the right opportunity, this is one that deserves serious consideration.

Why Join NEWCo?

NEWCo has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality engineering, steel fabrication and welding solutions across multiple sectors. Since joining the RSK Group, one of the UK's leading engineering and environmental services organisations, the business has continued to grow whilst retaining its local expertise and customer-first approach.

This is more than an operational management role. It's an opportunity to shape the future direction of the business.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Group Managing Director, you will take full responsibility for the Fort William operation, leading all aspects of performance, profitability, customer delivery and business growth.

You'll be empowered to make decisions, develop your team, strengthen client relationships and identify new opportunities that support the continued success of the business.

What You'll Be Responsible For

• Leading and developing a high-performing workforce across workshop and site operations.
• Driving a positive, safety-first culture whilst ensuring full compliance with Health & Safety standards.
• Managing operational performance, productivity and quality across all works.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Preparing quotations, negotiating rates and ensuring projects are delivered profitably.
• Managing budgets, forecasts and financial performance.
• Supporting sustainable business growth through strategic planning and operational improvements.
• Working closely with senior leadership to identify opportunities for expansion and investment.
• Creating an environment where people can thrive, develop and perform at their best.

About You

We're looking for a confident and commercially aware leader who enjoys taking ownership and making an impact.

You'll likely bring:

• Senior management experience within engineering, steel fabrication, manufacturing, construction or a closely related sector.
• Strong people leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.
• Commercial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and profitability management.
• Experience preparing quotations and negotiating with customers and suppliers.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• A proactive, hands-on approach combined with the ability to think strategically.
• A passion for driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.

What Success Looks Like

This role would suit an ambitious leader who wants more than just another management position.

You'll be someone who can:

✔ Lead from the front
✔ Build and inspire high-performing teams
✔ Develop strong client relationships
✔ Drive operational efficiency and business growth
✔ Take full ownership of site performance
✔ Help shape the future of a respected engineering business

Relocation Opportunity

Not local? Don't let that stop you.

Fort William consistently attracts professionals seeking a better balance between career and lifestyle. With world-class scenery on your doorstep, excellent outdoor activities, a strong local community and easy access to the Highlands, it offers a unique opportunity to enjoy both professional challenge and quality of life.

Many people visit Fort William and never want to leave. This could be your opportunity to call it home.

Interested in finding out more?

If you're an experienced engineering leader looking for a role where you can genuinely make your mark, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today or contact us for a confidential discussion about this exciting opportunity.

AJ Engineering & Construction Services is a multidisciplinary engineering firm delivering specialist services across a broad range of sectors. We focus on complex structural steelwork and cladding projects, access steelwork, bridge fabrication and mechanical engineering. Our reputation for excellence is built on our ability to deliver challenging projects in demanding geographical and environmental conditions, notably in Antarctica, where we installed cladding and erected structural steelwork for the British Antarctic Survey’s Discovery Building.

We support clients across the energy, water, rail, defence and construction sectors. Recent projects include constructing a hangar facility for SaxaVord at the UK Spaceport in Unst, Shetland; installing membrane support steelwork at Bolton Wastewater Treatment Works; and the structural steel and cladding package for the water treatment building at Witches Oak Water Treatment Works in Derbyshire.

As an equal opportunities employer, AJ Engineering provides a supportive, inclusive workplace with a comprehensive employee benefits package. We pride ourselves on being a friendly, collaborative and values-led organisation, committed to acting responsibly, ethically and professionally. We invest in learning and development and actively promote a healthy work–life balance, recognising that people perform at their best when they feel valued, supported and empowered.

AJ Engineering is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.

At RSK, we operate as a group of businesses that work together seamlessly, aiming for growth through diversification. Our strategy helps us build a strong and resilient business, capable of weathering external challenges, while also providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees.

Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people-first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company.

By providing workplace adjustments, we make it easier for people to confidently explore and pursue our career opportunities and recognise that flexibility is key to fostering a dynamic and thriving workplace. Many of our office-based positions benefit from a flexible working arrangement, allowing our team members to achieve a balance between professional and personal commitments.

We actively encourage applications from candidates of all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, neurotypes, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities.

If you're passionate about making a difference, join us as we work together to build a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for all. Do you have what it takes?