Senior Project Manager

Due to continued growth and winning a number of projects we are delighted to announce we are recruiting for a Senior Project Manager to join our ever-growing team here at Rugby. Reporting to the UK Defence Portfolio Leader, the role will be primarily responsible for managing a factory expansion and manufacturing readiness Project, ensuring deliverables are achieved in line with business objectives. You will be responsible for project delivery, profit & loss accountability, and customer satisfaction through management of project related activities and resources

As the primary interface to both internal and external customers you will lead cross-functional teams to execute the project to the plan, within budget and in line with EHS and quality requirements. Using high level of judgment to make decisions and handle complex tasks or problems in areas of operational, product management, manufacturing, technology or engineering you will be offering solutions out side of set parameters or offer recommendations.

This work is undertaken with UK Defence customers which will require any individual applying for the role to hold or be capable of getting SC Level clearance. Applicants not cleared will not be accepted into the business until this clearance is provided. Dual passport holders are acceptable if the second country is approved by the vetting authority.

Senior Project Manager – Factory Expansion & Manufacturing Readiness

Location: Rugby, UK

Reporting to: UK Defence Portfolio Leader

Key Interfaces: Factory Director, Site Leadership Team, Infrastructure Senior Project Manager, Project Control, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, Construction & Commissioning Teams

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the end-to-end delivery of a major machine shop / factory extension programme, acting as the overall Project Management lead.

This role is accountable for the full lifecycle delivery of the facility, from early definition through construction coordination, equipment specification and procurement, installation, commissioning, and final readiness for manufacturing operations.

The successful candidate will act as the primary customer-facing representative, ensuring alignment with key stakeholders, including UK Defence customers, while working in close partnership with the Infrastructure Senior Project Manager, who will lead building and civil works.

This role is critical in ensuring the facility is delivered on time, fully operational, production-ready, and aligned with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Overall Project Leadership & Delivery

Own full project lifecycle delivery of the factory extension and machine shop capability

Lead the integrated project plan covering:

Equipment definition and procurement

Factory fit-out and layout

Installation and commissioning

Manufacturing readiness and ramp-up

Ensure delivery on time, within budget, and in line with safety, quality, and performance targets

2. Customer & Stakeholder Management

Act as the primary interface with end customers, including UK Defence stakeholders

Lead all customer communications, governance, and reporting

Ensure close alignment with customer on contractual flow downs, change control, cost management, reporting and funding approvals.

Build strong relationships with:

Portfolio leadership

Factory Director and site teams

Programme and executive stakeholders

Prepare and lead steering committees and project reviews

3. Integration with Infrastructure Delivery

Work in close partnership with the Infrastructure Senior Project Manager, Consultants and Building Contractor

Ensure full alignment between:

Building readiness

Utilities and services

Equipment installation requirements

Manage dependencies between construction and manufacturing system installation

4. Equipment & Factory Fit-Out

Working closely with the factory leadership and production team;

Lead definition, specification, and procurement of machine tooling and production equipment, to ensure production requirements are fully met

Finalise factory layout, process flows, and production capability requirements

Coordinate suppliers, sourcing, and installation planning

Ensure readiness of:

Tooling

Fixtures

Production systems

5. Commissioning & Manufacturing Readiness

Lead commissioning strategy and execution in coordination with technical teams

Ensure facility achieves:

Operational readiness

Safety certification

Production capability validation

Support initial production ramp-up and issue resolution

6. Financial & Commercial Accountability

Own project P&L, cost control, revenue forecasting, and cash flow

Ensure full compliance with UK Government Single Source Contracting Regulations, monthly cost reporting and evidence, and claim support

Drive financial discipline through:

Budget management

Cost optimisation initiatives

Supplier and contract management

Identify and deliver cost-out and value opportunities

7. Risk & Opportunity Management

Lead project-wide risk & opportunity (R&O) management process

Develop, maintain, and communicate R&O registers

Define and execute mitigation strategies across all workstreams

Escalate critical risks and propose solutions proactively

8. Project Governance, Planning & PMO Practices

Establish and lead robust project governance, reporting, and KPIs

Implement best-in-class project management practices (PMO mindset):

Milestone tracking

Visual management

Performance dashboards

Drive structured reporting internally and to customers

9. Cross-functional Team Leadership

Lead a multidisciplinary project team across:

Manufacturing

Procurement

Engineering

Construction & commissioning

Quality, finance, and planning

Ensure alignment, accountability, and high performance

Promote a strong safety culture and continuous improvement mindset

10. Continuous Improvement & Lessons Learned

Implement continuous improvement processes

Capture lessons learned and integrate into execution strategy

Drive operational excellence and process optimisation

Qualifications & Experience

Extensive experience as a Senior Project Manager delivering complex industrial or manufacturing projects

Proven track record in:

Factory build / expansion / industrialisation projects

Equipment installation and commissioning

Strong understanding of:

Engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and construction lifecycles

Demonstrated experience in customer-facing leadership roles

Experience managing large budgets, contracts, and commercial performance

Knowledge of:

Manufacturing processes and industrial environments

Lean, continuous improvement, and operational excellence

Experience in defence or regulated industries preferred (SC clearance required or eligible)

Key Skills & Competencies

Strong leadership and stakeholder management capability

Excellent communication skills at executive and operational levels

Strategic mindset with strong delivery focus

High level of financial and commercial acumen

Ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and multiple interfaces

Problem-solving mindset with structured decision-making

Experience leading large cross-functional teams in complex environments

Success Measures

Facility delivered on time, on budget, and fully operational

Successful commissioning and manufacturing readiness achieved

Strong customer satisfaction and stakeholder alignment

Effective integration between infrastructure and production systems

Delivery of financial targets and project performance metrics

Join us and work with global teams to support global customers ! At Arabelle Solutions, we have team members of more than 49 nationalities spread across 16 countries.

At Arabelle Solutions, we know diversity makes teams and business stronger.