Project Manager

Computer Futures; Ellesmere Port; On-site; GBP 111,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

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

You will lead client-side project management across brownfield expansions, manage EPCM contractors, oversee detailed design, construction and commissioning, and drive delivery through to completion in Q1 2028.

Qualifications

• 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 expansion projects.
• 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).

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.

Skills

Project Management

Capital Projects

Engineering Project Management

Project Planning

Project Delivery

Project Controls

Stakeholder Management

Contractor Management

Risk Management

Change Management

Cost Management

Process Safety Management

COMAH

Chemical Engineering

Education

Engineering qualification (Mechanical, Chemical or related discipline preferred)

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).

Desirable Experience

• 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.

Contract Details

• Start: Mid to late October 2026
• Duration: Through to Q1 2028
• Location: North West England
• Likely requirement for regular site presence
• Competitive day rate available

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.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Core Project Management
• Project Management
• Capital Projects
• Engineering Project Management
• Project Planning
• Project Delivery
• Project Controls
• Stakeholder Management
• Contractor Management
• Risk Management
• Change Management
• Cost Management
• Chemical & Process Industry
• Chemical Manufacturing
• Chemical Engineering
• Process Engineering
• Process Safety Management
• COMAH
• Petrochemical
• Process Plant
• Industrial Manufacturing
• Hazardous Area Operations
• Bulk Chemical Storage
• EPCM / CAPEX
• EPCM
• EPC
• Owner's Engineer
• Client-Side Project Management
• CAPEX Projects
• Brownfield Projects
• Plant Expansion
• Industrial Expansion Projects
• FEED
• Detailed Engineering
• Construction & Commissioning
• Construction Management
• Site Management
• Engineering Management
• Commissioning
• Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Procurement Management
• HAZOP
• CDM Regulations