Project Manager

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FTC Project Manager – Manufacturing Relocation & Consolidation Project

Location: UK-based, with European travel required
Contract: Fixed-term, January 2027 – December 2028
Reporting to: European Operations Director

The Opportunity

Jonathan Lee Recruitment is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead a major European manufacturing relocation and consolidation programme for an established international industrial manufacturing organisation.

This is a significant strategic assignment involving the transfer of customised, build-to-order manufacturing, assembly and test operations between multiple European facilities.

You will take responsibility for planning and delivering the programme from initial mobilisation and factory readiness through equipment relocation, production transfer, ramp-up and post-launch stabilisation.

Working closely with senior operational leadership and international site teams, you will ensure the transition is delivered safely, on schedule and within budget, while maintaining customer service, product quality and business continuity.

The contract is expected to commence in January 2027 and run through to December 2028. The successful candidate must be available for the full duration of the assignment.

Due to the confidential nature of this programme, further details about the organisation will be shared with shortlisted candidates at the appropriate stage, subject to confidentiality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Programme & Project Leadership

• Develop and manage the overall project plan, milestones, budgets, resources and governance arrangements.
• Lead project steering committee reviews and provide regular updates to senior leadership.
• Manage risks, dependencies, mitigation plans and escalations.
• Ensure programme objectives are achieved within agreed timescales and financial parameters.

Manufacturing Transfer & Relocation

• Lead the phased transfer of manufacturing, assembly and test operations across multiple European sites.
• Coordinate the relocation of equipment, inventory, technical documentation and production processes.
• Oversee equipment decommissioning, transportation, installation, commissioning and operational handover.
• Develop production transfer and ramp-up plans to minimise disruption and maintain customer delivery performance.
• Monitor operational KPIs and resolve issues during production launch and stabilisation.

Factory Readiness & Industrialisation

• Coordinate factory layout planning, facility expansion and infrastructure readiness.
• Ensure production areas, utilities, equipment and supporting facilities are prepared ahead of each transfer phase.
• Work with site leadership to establish the capacity and capabilities required for successful production launch.
• Lead operational readiness reviews and manage critical project dependencies.

Workforce & Knowledge Transfer

• Coordinate workforce planning, training and skills transfer between existing and receiving manufacturing teams.
• Ensure technical knowledge, process documentation and work instructions are effectively transferred.
• Support recruitment and training plans to ensure the receiving site is ready for production.
• Monitor workforce competency and operational readiness ahead of each launch.

Supply Chain, IT & Quality

• Develop inventory and material transfer plans to maintain continuity of supply.
• Coordinate procurement, logistics and material planning activities.
• Ensure ERP systems, IT infrastructure and supporting equipment are ready for production.
• Maintain quality, safety and regulatory compliance throughout the programme.
• Coordinate process validation, equipment qualification, change control and relevant audit activities.

Stakeholder Management & Site Consolidation

• Build strong relationships with international site leadership teams and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Coordinate communication and change management across impacted functions.
• Manage third-party contractors, equipment suppliers and external partners where required.
• Support the rationalisation of existing facilities and the transition to the future manufacturing footprint.

About You

You will be a delivery-focused Project Manager with a proven track record of successfully managing complex manufacturing projects across multiple sites and international teams.

Essential experience and qualifications:

• Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or a related discipline.
• At least seven years’ project management experience within manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Demonstrable experience delivering factory relocations, manufacturing transfers, site consolidations or major industrialisation projects.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production systems & operational readiness.
• Experience managing cross-functional and international teams.
• Proven capability in project planning, budget control, risk management and delivery.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively across Europe during key project phases.
• Availability to commit to the full contract through December 2028.

Desirable experience:

• PMP, PRINCE2 or equivalent project management qualification.
• Experience with build-to-order or engineer-to-order manufacturing.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or CI improvement methodologies.
• Experience in factory layout design, equipment commissioning and production system implementation.
• Background in industrial equipment, electronics, automation or complex assembly environments.

Key Project Milestones

The programme is scheduled to commence in January 2027, with the first production transfers targeted for October 2027 and further transfers planned through March 2028. Post-launch support and final consolidation activities will continue until December 2028.

Success will be measured by the safe and timely transfer of manufacturing operations, successful production ramp-up, continued customer delivery performance, maintenance of quality standards and delivery within agreed budget and timescales.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to lead a high-profile international manufacturing transformation programme, working directly with senior operational leadership and taking ownership of a complex, multi-site project from planning through to completion.

If you have successfully delivered major manufacturing relocations, site transfers or industrial transformation programmes and are looking for your next challenging contract assignment, we would welcome a confidential conversation.

To find out more, please submit your CV or contact Jonathan Lee Recruitment for an initial confidential discussion.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
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