Project Manager

Better placed recruitment; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent branded food manufacturing business in Manchester is seeking a Project Manager for a 12-month fixed-term contract. The role involves leading key projects from inception to launch, ensuring stakeholder alignment, managing risks, and driving organizational readiness. Candidates should have a strong project management background preferably in FMCG, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in relevant IT tools.

Qualifications

• Solid background in project management within FMCG, consumer goods or food manufacturing.
• Experience with NPD/EPD processes and cross-functional projects in a branded environment a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end project delivery process.
• Engage stakeholders across the business to ensure alignment.
• Review projects post-launch and capture lessons learned.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Organisational Skills

Detail-Oriented

IT Literacy

Tools

MS Project

PowerPoint

Office 365

Job description

Manchester (Hybrid: 2 days office vs 3 at home)
Branded Food Manufacturing Business
Full-time | 12-Month Fixed Term Contract

We’re working with a well-known branded food business that’s built a reputation for quality, innovation and collaboration. They’re now looking for an experienced Project Manager to join their fast-paced innovation team and help deliver a range of exciting projects — from new product launches to wider business initiatives.

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who enjoys cross-functional working, thrives under pressure, and can confidently lead projects from kick-off through to launch.

The Role:

Reporting into the Strategic PMO Lead, you’ll take responsibility for the delivery of EPD, NPD and other key business projects — making sure everything runs smoothly, stays on track, and meets commercial goals.

It’s a broad role that covers planning, risk management, stakeholder alignment, and post-launch reviews. You’ll work closely with teams across Marketing, Technical, Sales and Supply Chain, acting as the glue that keeps people, plans and priorities aligned.

Key responsibilities:

• Own the end-to-end project delivery process, using the business’s stage gate tools and templates.

• Prepare, track and update project documentation — including critical paths, RAID logs and stage-gate decks.

• Identify and escalate risks early, removing potential blockers before they become issues.

• Engage stakeholders across the business to ensure alignment and momentum throughout.

• Prepare teams for launch — making sure resource, timing and commercial readiness are all in place.

• Review projects post-launch, capturing lessons learned and helping shape future improvements.

• Work closely with Finance to ensure project costs are understood and controlled throughout.

What they’re looking for:

• A solid background in project management, ideally within FMCG, consumer goods or food manufacturing.

• Someone who’s confident with process but comfortable adapting to change.

• A strong communicator who can build relationships and influence at all levels.

• Highly organised and detail-focused, with good time management and a proactive mindset.

• IT literate — confident using tools like PowerPoint, MS Project and Office 365.

• A team player who’s happy to challenge when needed, and not afraid to push for delivery.

• Experience with NPD/EPD processes and cross-functional projects in a branded environment would be a real plus.