Project Manager

Progressive Global Energy; Ellesmere Port; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Progressive Global Energy seeks an experienced Project Manager to act as the owner's representative on a major brownfield chemical plant expansion in the North West of England. You will oversee EPCM contractors, drive detailed engineering through construction, commissioning and handover, and ensure costs stay on track.

The role requires strong COMAH awareness, multi-disciplinary stakeholder engagement, and a proven ability to deliver multi-million-pound CAPEX programmes.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering capital projects in chemical or process manufacturing.
• Proven track record on brownfield or expansion projects.
• Experience in EPCM delivery model.
• Strong understanding of detailed engineering, construction and commissioning.
• Experience managing multi-million-pound CAPEX programmes.
• Strong commercial acumen with budgets and cost reporting.
• Excellent contractor and stakeholder management.
• Familiarity with COMAH environments and process safety.
• Engineering degree; mechanical or chemical preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as client-side Project Manager for a major chemical plant expansion.
• Manage EPCM contractors and engineering partners on behalf of the site owner.
• Oversee detailed engineering design activities aligned with project objectives.
• Drive execution from detailed design through construction, commissioning and handover.
• Maintain cost control, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Ensure governance, project controls and risk management processes.
• Lead contractor management across ENG, procurement and construction.
• Champion site safety and COMAH/process safety compliance.
• Coordinate stakeholders across operations, maintenance and project teams.
• Manage schedules and drive delivery to completion in Q1 2028.

Skills

Project management

EPCM experience

Stakeholder management

Cost reporting

Contractor management

Safety compliance COMAH

Education

Engineering qualification (Mechanical, Chemical or related)

Chartered status or equivalent

Job description

I'm supporting a leading international chemical manufacturer with a significant site expansion programme in the North West.

The project forms part of a major capital investment and includes the expansion of process plant facilities along with the construction of new storage and associated infrastructure buildings. The programme is currently progressing through the detailed engineering phase, with construction activities scheduled to follow.

The client is seeking an experienced Project Manager to act as the owner's representative within an EPCM delivery model, ensuring the project is delivered safely, on schedule and within budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the client-side Project Manager throughout the delivery of a major chemical plant expansion project.
• Manage EPCM contractors and engineering partners on behalf of the site owner.
• Oversee detailed engineering design activities and ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Drive project execution from detailed design through construction, commissioning and handover.
• Maintain full responsibility for project cost control, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Ensure robust governance, project controls and risk management processes are in place.
• Lead contractor management activities across engineering, procurement and construction phases.
• Champion site safety, ensuring all works are executed in accordance with COMAH and process industry standards.
• Coordinate stakeholders across operations, maintenance, engineering and external project teams.
• Manage project schedules and drive delivery against key milestones through to completion in Q1 2028.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven track record delivering capital projects within the chemical, petrochemical or process manufacturing sectors.
• Significant experience operating as a Project Manager on complex brownfield and/or expansion projects.
• Previous experience working within an EPCM project delivery model.
• Strong understanding of detailed engineering, construction and commissioning activities.
• Demonstrable experience managing multi-million-pound CAPEX programmes.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing project budgets and cost reporting.
• Excellent contractor and stakeholder management skills.
• Familiarity with COMAH-regulated environments and process safety principles.
• Engineering qualification (Mechanical, Chemical or related discipline preferred).
• Chemical manufacturing background.
• Experience delivering storage facility or bulk chemical handling projects.
• Previous owner-side/client-side project management experience.
• Chartered status or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Start: Mid to late October 2026
• Duration: Through to Q1 2028
• Location: North West England
• Likely requirement for regular site presence

This is an excellent opportunity to lead a strategically important expansion project from detailed engineering through to final delivery, acting as the key interface between the owner, EPCM contractor and site stakeholders.