Project Manager

Location: Leicester

Commutable from: Melton Mowbray, Loughborough, Nottingham, and surrounding areas

Salary: £50k - £70k (DOE) and car allowance

Hours: Office and site based, with frequent UK travel and occasional overseas travel

About the Company

Our client is a leading UK provider of bespoke material handling and processing solutions, with over 40 years of experience in the design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of equipment for large and bulk materials. They provide turnkey solutions across sectors including water and waste treatment, food processing, bioenergy, chemical handling, quarrying and waste and recycling.

With in-house design and manufacturing capabilities, they deliver bespoke solutions from initial concept and design through to installation, commissioning, service and support.

About the Role

Our client is looking for an experienced Project Manager to take responsibility for the successful planning, execution and delivery of engineering projects. This is a business-critical position combining technical expertise, project management, leadership and stakeholder management.

You will oversee projects from planning through to completion, ensuring they are delivered to the required technical specification, quality standards, timescales and budget. The role will involve close collaboration with engineering, design, manufacturing and other internal departments, as well as regular interaction with clients, suppliers, contractors and site teams.

The role is hands-on and will involve both office and site-based work, including inspections, troubleshooting, meetings and project oversight. Frequent UK travel, including overnight stays and long-distance driving, is a fundamental requirement, with overseas travel also required.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage project plans, including scope, timelines, resources, budgets and delivery.
• Lead engineering teams, designers, contractors and suppliers to ensure projects are delivered effectively.
• Identify and manage project risks, ensuring compliance with safety, quality and technical requirements.
• Act as the key liaison between the client, engineering teams and senior management, providing regular progress updates.
• Manage suppliers, contractors and subcontractors, ensuring materials and services are delivered as required.
• Prepare and maintain project documentation, including schedules, technical reports, RAMS and O&M documentation for handover.
• Provide hands-on engineering support and collaborate across departments to resolve issues and keep projects on track.

About You

The client is looking for someone with a strong engineering background combined with proven project management experience. You will ideally have:

• Strong understanding of engineering principles and practices relevant to project delivery.
• Proven project management experience, including scheduling, budgeting and resource allocation.
• The ability to provide hands-on engineering support when required.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to identify problems, assess solutions and implement effective corrective actions.
• Experience managing contractors, suppliers and external stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple project priorities.
• A degree or equivalent qualification in engineering or a related discipline, and/or significant experience in project management or engineering leadership.
• You must be comfortable working both in an office and on customer sites, and be willing to travel frequently across the UK, including overnight stays. Occasional overseas travel will also be required.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Project Manager with an engineering background and are interested in joining a business delivering bespoke material handling and processing solutions, please get in touch with Optima UK to discuss the opportunity.