Project Director

Howmet Aerospace; Exeter; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace is seeking an experienced Project Lead for the Exeter site to manage the expansion for the IGT segment. The role involves leading the project team, coordinating with stakeholders, and delivering detailed plans aligned with the organisation's goals.

You will drive automation initiatives, oversee cross-functional execution with engineering, manufacturing, scheduling and quality teams, and ensure delivery on time and within budget while achieving required quality levels.

Qualifications

• Strong familiarity with manufacturing and operational environments.
• Experience in aerospace and metal industries.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially spreadsheets and data-driven tools.
• Excellent analytical skills and strong functional knowledge of manufacturing processes.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple objectives in a demanding environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to maintain positive relationships across diverse groups.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and drive performance.
• Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen experience.
• Proven track record of driving automation, process improvements, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Exeter expansion project team and align with stakeholders.
• Develop operational plans and KPIs aligned with customer expectations and business goals.
• Drive automation initiatives and productivity standards across functions.
• Oversee daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly reporting of performance metrics.
• Manage budgets, overtime, and contingent labor; monitor variances and corrective actions.
• Lead large-scale capital projects through project lifecycle from concept to training and handover.
• Ensure safety, quality, productivity, and team development standards.

Skills

Manufacturing familiarity

Aerospace experience

MS Office, Excel

Analytical skills

Education

Engineering degree

15+ years manufacturing experience

Tools

Job description

• Locations Alcoa Europe, Exeter, DEV, EX2 7LG, GB (On-site)
• Job Schedule Full time

Responsibilities

This position will play an important role in the Howmet Engines organization working within the IGT Segment managing the segment growth project. The Project Lead is responsible for managing the expansion project for the IGT Segment based in the Exeter location. This role is critical to the Segment expansion plan, responsibilities include lead and manage the project team, communicate with stakeholders and ensure alignment with the organisational goals and develop detailed project plans.

The successful candidate will directly support the VP & GM for IGT by managing the expansion of the Exeter development process and execution of business unit initiatives.

• Develop operational plans that support the requirements of assigned manufacturing areas, ensuring alignment with customer expectations, business goals, and annual KPIs.
• Lead the development and implementation of automation initiatives, departmental consolidation efforts, and productivity and efficiency standards across functional areas.
• Oversee daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly reporting to ensure accurate visibility into operational performance.
• Drive automation expansion and lead transformational improvements in labor utilization, quality, and throughput
• Champion continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing, ensuring enhancements are incorporated into standard operating procedures.
• Manage manufacturing projects across the full project lifecycle—including concept, requirements, design, testing, installation, qualification, and training—ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and at the required quality level.
• Meet financial objectives by managing budgets, optimizing overtime and contingent labor, analyzing variances, and implementing corrective actions.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide direct supervision to project team, ensuring adherence to safety, quality, productivity, and associate development standards.
• Coach and mentor team members to build a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain strong working relationships with diverse employee groups and external customers, fostering collaboration and trust.

Program & Cross‑Functional Management

• Ensure program goals, scope, and deliverables are clearly defined and communicated to internal teams and external customers.
• Support detailed execution plans by coordinating with engineering, manufacturing, commercial, scheduling, and quality teams to meet program timelines.
• Maintain detailed action lists, track progress, and provide updates to stakeholders while ensuring alignment with financial targets.
• Identify program gaps or risks and lead mitigation efforts, securing cross-functional commitment to recovery plans.
• Conduct regular program reviews with internal and external stakeholders, addressing status, action items, risks, and resource needs.
• Resolve disconnects between functional areas by driving timely conflict resolution and ensuring alignment.
• Contribute to improved delivery performance through best‑practice identification, validation, documentation, and communication.

Ensure compliance with Howmet Aerospace business conduct policies, programs and standards.

Lead large scale Capital projects through proven project management experience.

Qualifications

• Strong familiarity with manufacturing and operational environments.
• Experience in aerospace and metal industries.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially spreadsheets and data-driven tools.
• Excellent analytical skills and strong functional knowledge of manufacturing processes.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple objectives in a demanding environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to maintain positive relationships across diverse groups.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and drive performance.
• Lean Manufacturing, and Kaizen experience.
• Proven track record of driving automation, process improvements, and operational excellence.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited university.
  - Minimum 15 years' experience in manufacturingwith some level of plant operational management.
  -
• Project Management experience of large scale capex projects
• Effective communication skills and ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Ability to lead a team of technical leaders.
• Ability to work closely and communicate effectively with all levels of the Howmet organization.
• Strong analytical and problem resolution skills in support of business planning, strategy development/deployment, relationship management and conflict resolution.
• Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency