Project Manager

Sapien; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pool car

Mileage reimbursement

Office-based role

Job summary

Sapien in Cambridge is seeking an experienced Project Manager to take ownership of complex engineering projects from concept through to installation, commissioning and final sign-off. The role focuses on delivering on time, within budget and to customer specifications, in a food processing machinery environment.

You will coordinate with design, manufacturing and sales teams, interpret engineering drawings (SolidWorks), manage risk and cost, and provide regular progress updates.

Qualifications

• HND or degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering or equivalent.
• Proven experience as a Project Manager or Senior Engineer delivering complex engineering projects.
• Track record of taking projects from concept through to manufacture, installation and commissioning.
• Strong understanding of industrial machinery and production line equipment.
• Experience specifying mechanical components (conveyors, motors, pneumatics, fabricated structures).
• Commercial awareness including budgeting, cost control and customer management.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and collaborate with design/manufacturing teams.
• Experience using CAD software (SolidWorks) and project planning tools (MS Project).

Responsibilities

• Manage projects from award to design, manufacture, installation, commissioning and customer sign-off.
• Develop and maintain project plans, budgets, timelines and risk assessments.
• Serve as the main customer contact, managing expectations and relationships.
• Collaborate with Sales to translate requirements into production line layouts and solutions.
• Specify mechanical/electrical components and review drawings.
• Coordinate with Design Engineers to support SolidWorks models and drawings.
• Ensure designs meet customer specs, legislation and hygiene standards.
• Monitor progress with Manufacturing and oversee installation and commissioning at sites.
• Identify risks and cost pressures, seeking design improvements and cost reductions.
• Maintain project documentation and provide regular progress updates.

Skills

Project management

Engineering leadership

Budgeting

Customer management

Reading drawings

Education

HND or degree

Tools

SolidWorks

MS Project

CAD software

Job description

Sapien are working with an established engineering and manufacturing business specialising in the design and delivery of bespoke food processing machinery and production line solutions in Cambridge. Due to continued growth, they are looking to recruit an experienced Project Manager to take ownership of complex engineering projects from initial concept through to installation, commissioning and final customer sign-off.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage projects from initial award through to design, manufacture, installation, commissioning and customer sign-off.
• Develop and maintain project plans, budgets, timelines and risk assessments, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Act as the main point of contact for customers, managing expectations and maintaining strong working relationships.
• Work with Sales to understand customer requirements and develop suitable production line layouts and solutions.
• Use engineering knowledge to specify mechanical and electrical components, including conveyors, motors, belts and pneumatic systems.
• Liaise with Design Engineers, providing project briefs and supporting the development of SolidWorks models and manufacturing drawings.
• Ensure designs meet customer specifications, relevant legislation and food industry hygiene standards.
• Work closely with Manufacturing to monitor build progress, quality and project deadlines.
• Oversee and support installation and commissioning at customer sites.
• Identify and resolve technical issues, project risks and cost pressures, looking for opportunities to improve designs and reduce costs.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, provide regular progress updates and ensure a smooth handover to the Service team.

Experience & Qualifications

• HND, degree or equivalent experience in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering.
• Strong, proven experience in a Project Manager or Senior Engineering role within food processing machinery, capital equipment, industrial automation or a closely related engineering sector.
• A successful track record of delivering complex engineering projects from initial concept through to manufacture, installation and commissioning.
• Strong understanding of industrial machinery, production line equipment and associated engineering processes.
• Experience specifying mechanical components, including conveyors, motors, pneumatics and fabricated structures.
• Commercial awareness, including project budgeting, cost control and customer management.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and work closely with design and manufacturing teams.
• Experience using CAD software, ideally SolidWorks, alongside project planning tools such as MS Project.

Desirable Experience

• Direct experience within the food processing or food production machinery sector.
• Knowledge of food industry hygiene standards, hygienic design principles and relevant legislation, including BRCGS requirements.

Additional Information

• Salary of £50,000 – £70,000, depending on experience.
• Permanent, office-based position
• Company pool car available for business travel, with mileage claims also offered.
• Monday to Friday working hours, 08:00 – 16:30