Engineering - Project Manager

Finsbury Food Group; Cowbridge; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Memory Lane Cakes in Cowbridge, UK, is seeking a Project Manager to own site projects across engineering and other functions, leading end-to-end delivery of capital and improvement initiatives on the Memory Lane Cakes site.

You will manage concept development, URS creation, procurement, installation, commissioning and handover while coordinating with operations, technical, finance, NPD, warehouse and engineering teams to deliver safely, on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Proven Project Management experience in FMCG/food manufacturing or fast-paced production environments required.
• Engineering background essential; experience delivering capital projects within live manufacturing environments.
• Strong budget management, forecasting, ROI understanding and commercial project control.
• Knowledge of CDM Regulations and contractor management practices is important.

Responsibilities

• Own site projects across engineering and wider business functions; lead delivery at Memory Lane Cakes site.
• Manage end-to-end delivery of capital and improvement projects (concept to handover).
• Develop and maintain the site’s rolling 3–5-year Capital Investment Plan; drive growth, cost reduction and automation.
• Collaborate with operations, hygiene, technical, finance, NPD, warehouse and engineering teams to ensure safe, on-time, within-budget delivery.
• Lead supplier and contractor performance, tendering, and commercial negotiations; monitor spend with ROI reporting.
• Support CI initiatives and continuous improvements; provide structured challenge on scope, cost, and delivery strategy.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Risk management

Continuous improvement

Vendor management

Leadership

Education

Degree in Engineering

Job description

This is what you’ll actually do! As our Project Manager, you will take ownership of all site projects across engineering and wider business functions, acting as the primary lead for project delivery at Memory Lane Cakes site. You will manage end-to-end delivery of capital and improvement projects, including concept development, URS creation, procurement, installation, commissioning, and project handover.

Working closely with operations, hygiene, technical, finance, NPD, warehouse, and engineering teams, you will ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget. You will develop and maintain the site’s rolling 3–5-year Capital Investment Plan, helping to drive site growth, cost reduction initiatives, operational improvements, and automation strategy.

The role will also involve:

• Managing supplier and contractor performance, including tendering and commercial negotiations
• Monitoring and forecasting capital spend, providing accurate reporting and ROI analysis
• Ensuring compliance with CDM Regulations, health & safety standards, and internal governance procedures
• Leading project risk assessments covering technical, financial, and operational risks
• Supporting engineering asset care and site improvement initiatives
• Coordinating live installations within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment
• Driving continuous improvement projects alongside operational and CI teams
• Providing structured challenge and recommendations on project scope, cost, and delivery strategy

This is a highly collaborative role where you will work cross-functionally with stakeholders across every department within the bakery.

Ideally this is you! Proven Project Management experience within FMCG, food manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or similarly fast-paced production environments is required.

An engineering background is essential for this role, along with experience delivering capital projects within live manufacturing environments. A strong understanding of budget management, forecasting, ROI, and commercial project control is also required.

Knowledge of CDM Regulations and contractor management practices is important, as well as excellent stakeholder management skills, including the ability to engage with and influence senior business leaders effectively. The role requires the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while demonstrating strong organisational, analytical, and problem solving abilities.

Relevant Project Management qualifications would be desirable, and a Degree or HND in Engineering, or equivalent experience, is preferred.

Experience in Continuous Improvement (CI) would be advantageous but is not essential. A driven, self‑motivated approach and a genuine eagerness to make a meaningful impact within the organisation are also important attributes for success in this role.