MES System Project Manager

CBSbutler Ltd.; Towcester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a mid-level MES Project Manager for a 12-month contract in Towcester. The role involves managing an IT infrastructure upgrade from OpenVMS to Red Hat Linux, coordinating a small onsite team, and ensuring successful UAT. Ideal candidates will have proven experience in IT infrastructure projects, strong knowledge of legacy system migrations, and excellent communication skills. This position offers a hybrid work model with a competitive daily rate.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing IT infrastructure/system upgrade projects in an MES environment.
• Experience delivering UAT planning and execution.
• Excellent communication and planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the full project lifecycle for the IT infrastructure upgrade.
• Lead and coordinate a team of onsite technical staff.
• Manage risk, issue tracking, and resolution.

Skills

IT infrastructure/system upgrade project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Planning

Tools

OpenVMS

Red Hat Linux

Job description

Overview

MES Project Manager - Manufacturing Systems (12-Month Contract)

Location: Hybrid / Towcester, Northamptonshire
Rate: £400-£440 per day - Inside IR35
Duration: 12 months

We're looking for a mid-level MES/IT Project Manager to take the reins on a Manufacturing IT system upgrade for a major site in Towcester. You will be part of the overall Project team for the transition from OpenVMS to Red Hat Linux, working closely with the system vendor PM and coordinating a small onsite team.

This role is all about keeping things on track: timelines, people, vendor deliverables, and successful UAT. It's a hands-on role where technical understanding, stakeholder wrangling, and project discipline are key.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the full project lifecycle for the IT infrastructure upgrade (OpenVMS → Red Hat Linux).
• Lead and coordinate a team of 4-5 onsite technical staff - hold them accountable and keep them aligned.
• Act as the main point of contact with vendor PM.
• Define and drive project milestones, delivery plans, and documentation.
• Manage risk, issue tracking, and resolution.
• Deliver User Acceptance Testing (UAT) planning, coordination, and sign-off.
• Communicate progress, blockers, and dependencies clearly to stakeholders.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience managing IT infrastructure/system upgrade projects - in an MES Environment.
• Strong knowledge of legacy system migrations, particularly OpenVMS and Red Hat Linux (you don\'t need to be hands-on, but you should understand the landscape).
• Experience working with third-party vendors and holding them to SLAs/deliverables.
• Comfortable managing small on-site teams and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience delivering UAT planning and execution.
• Excellent communication and planning skills - you keep everyone on the same page.

• Background in manufacturing, semiconductors, or industrial IT environments.
• Knowledge of OpenVMS architecture or system constraints.
• Exposure to automation or MES systems.

If you\'d like to discuss this role in more detail, please send your updated CV to [e-mail] and I will get in touch.