Programme Manager

Simpson Recruitment Services; Newport; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead customer relationships in a highly regulated engineering environment. You will manage financial performance, delivery, and operational execution while driving continuous improvement across accounts. The ideal candidate has experience in project management, strong analytical skills, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders. Join an international team and contribute to impactful programmes.

Benefits

Collaborative international environment

Ownership and influence across major accounts

Opportunities for professional growth

Qualifications

• Direct programme or project management experience within regulated engineering environments.
• Ability to analyse complex information and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing customer relationships and driving operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Manage financial performance and delivery for assigned customers.
• Lead cross-functional teams to meet KPIs and optimise customer satisfaction.
• Drive continuous improvement across customer sites.

Skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Customer relationship management

Problem-solving

Communication

Tools

CRM software

ERP systems

Job description

We're looking for an experienced Programme Manager with a background in highly regulated engineering environments such as medical devices, defence, aerospace, electronics, or contract manufacturing. This is a pivotal customer-facing role within our international organisation, combining commercial leadership, operational execution, and programme ownership.

You’ll serve as the main point of contact for assigned customers—managing financial performance, delivery, contracts, working capital, and long-term account growth. Working closely with the Head of Programmes, you’ll shape strategic relationships and drive continuous improvement across diverse customer sites and divisions.

What You'll Lead

Customer & Growth

• Own the operational and commercial relationship across key accounts, providing clarity, direction, and exceptional service.
• Lead the customer-focused team to secure short-term wins and long-term revenue opportunities.
• Use CRM, ERP and account management tools to drive visibility and performance.
• Strengthen NPS and customer satisfaction by understanding customer environments and industry pressures.

Financial & Commercial Performance

• Maintain strong margins and operational profit across programmes.
• Keep EFACS, CRM and other business systems fully up to date.
• Deliver accurate forecasting: revenue, order intake, order book and profitability.
• Resolve pricing discrepancies quickly and transparently.

Working Capital & Risk

• Manage receivables, cash flow, excess/obsolete material and commercial risk.
• Own contract execution (MSA, MEPA), ensuring clarity, compliance and alignment with internal policies.

Operational & Relationship Leadership

• Act as the primary escalation point for delivery issues and operational challenges.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure best-in-class execution against KPIs.
• Lead regular customer meetings and quarterly business reviews.
• Contribute to SIOP, strategic planning and monthly reporting cycles.

What You Bring

Core Requirements

• Direct programme or project management experience within regulated engineering or manufacturing.
• Ability to analyse complex information, communicate clearly, and influence senior stakeholders.
• Confident using CRM, ERP and standard business software.
• Strong reasoning skills—comfortable solving multi-variable problems in environments with limited standardisation.
• Ability to self-manage in both on-site and remote settings, with UK/international travel when required.

Highly Desirable

• Experience in medical, defence, aerospace, electronics manufacturing or contract manufacturing environments.
• Proven leadership of cross-functional teams in a matrix structure.
• Knowledge of SIOP, MRP, ERP, and trade compliance/export controls.
• Strong IT capability and confidence working with complex business systems.

What We Offer

• A collaborative and international engineering environment.
• Real ownership, autonomy and influence across major customer accounts.
• The chance to lead programmes that directly impact delivery, commercial performance and strategic growth.

Ready to Lead Programmes in a High-Performance, Regulated Engineering Environment?

If you excel at building strong customer relationships and managing complex programmes end-to-end, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now by sending your CV to Gary Simpson