Project Manager - Engineering and Installations

Project Manager – Engineering Installations, Maintenance & Site Services Location: Durham Circa Salary: £45k Hours: Full-time Contract: Permanent We’re looking for a proactive, hands-on Project Manager to lead engineering installations, CapEx projects, NPI activity, and site services across a busy manufacturing environment. If you enjoy owning projects end-to-end, improving plant performance, and leading technical teams, this role gives you real impact from day one. Key Responsibilities Project Management & CapEx Delivery • Lead engineering installation projects from concept to commissioning. • Deliver CapEx projects, including business cases, vendor management, installation, and ROI tracking. • Support NPI activity by ensuring engineering readiness, utilities, and line capability. • Build project plans, budgets, risk assessments, and progress reports. • Work closely with Production, Quality, Planning, and H&S to minimise downtime. Engineering Installations • Install and occasionally design pipework, valves, utilities, and CIP/ancillary systems. • Carry out fabrication and welding tasks as required. • Manage contractors to ensure safe, high-quality installation work. • Install insulation/lagging and operate MEWP equipment safely. • Develop engineering solutions to improve reliability and efficiency. Boiler Monitoring • Complete and record daily/weekly boiler checks. • Monitor performance and escalate issues to maintain safe, compliant operation. Team Leadership • Lead and support engineering personnel, promoting a strong safety-first culture. • Coach and mentor team members and apprentices. • Maintain high standards of housekeeping, hygiene, and audit readiness. • Allocate resources effectively to maximise uptime. Maintenance & Systems • Ensure all maintenance tasks are logged accurately in the CMMS (UpKeep). • Support creation of SOPs, work instructions, and Dynamic Risk Assessments. • Issue out-of-hours permits (hot work, working at height, confined space, etc.). Materials & Procurement • Order materials, components, and equipment for projects and maintenance. • Support procurement planning for CapEx, NPI, and site infrastructure improvements. • Ensure compliance with H&S, Environmental, Food Safety, HACCP, and BRC standards. What We’re Looking For • Strong engineering background with hands-on installation experience. • Proven project management capability in manufacturing or industrial settings. • Confident leading teams and managing contractors. • Strong focus on safety, reliability, and continuous improvement. • Excellent communication and organisational skills. Start People are the acting agency for this position