Project Manager

Cook Trading Limited; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-owned food company in Sittingbourne is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead major infrastructure transformation projects. This role involves enhancing efficiency and sustainability while managing diverse teams and ensuring successful project delivery. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in project management, particularly in the FMCG or manufacturing sectors, and possess excellent communication skills. This opportunity comes with numerous benefits and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Paid breaks

Paid leave on special occasions

Staff profit share

Free lunch

Wellbeing program

30% staff discount

Team events and away days

B-Corp certified benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in infrastructure, manufacturing, or FMCG.
• Ability to manage multi-million pound project budgets.
• Hands-on and practical approach to project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex infrastructure transformation projects.
• Align different teams using RACI matrixes and timelines.
• Manage contractors ensuring quality and safety.

Skills

Project Management experience

Leading multi-disciplinary teams

Communication and facilitation skills

Health & Safety knowledge

Budget management

Tools

Monday.com

Job description

Project Manager

Location: Sittingbourne, Kent

Salary: £60,000 - £70,000

Hours: Mon–Fri, 40 hrs (8am–4pm) — with flexibility around project commitments and 3 days per week in Sittingbourne required.

We’re looking for a Project Manager to lead one of our most exciting and important transformation projects at our largest site. This is a big role — shaping how we work today and how we’ll grow tomorrow.

The Purpose

You’ll take the project management lead for a major infrastructure transformation project at our Sittingbourne site — installing a new refrigeration system, opening up production space to boost capacity, and a new wastewater treatment solution.

You’ll work with brilliant people across engineering, operations, safety, and food quality to deliver projects that make us more efficient, more sustainable, and ready for the future — all while keeping our culture front and centre.

And it won’t stop there. You’ll also play a key role in other major projects, including our logistics centre build and improvement programmes across our four manufacturing sites, helping us to reduce waste, save energy, and improve how we work.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead complex, high-impact projects from the first idea to the final handover.
• Bring people together — aligning different teams and priorities using RACI matrixes, clear timelines and deliverables to make things happen.
• Shape project scopes and strategies that deliver efficiency, sustainability, and value for money.
• Manage contractors and partners — keeping everyone focused on quality, safety, and environmental standards.
• Champion sustainability and smart design — making every investment work harder for the planet and for our people.
• Spot opportunities to cut waste, improve energy use, and future-proof our Kitchens.
• Share your expertise across our wider projects, helping us build better, safer, faster, and greener.

What Success Looks Like

• Our Sittingbourne transformation project delivered on time, on budget, and successfully executed.
• More capacity, less waste, and smarter use of energy.
• Teams that feel informed, involved, and proud of what we’ve built together.
• You’re living COOK’s Values — being remarkable, caring deeply, having fun, and being part of the family.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven Project Management experience in infrastructure, manufacturing, or FMCG.
• Skilled at leading multi-disciplinary teams and juggling competing priorities.
• Someone who can get things done, whilst making sure everyone is kept in the loop and aware of what is happening.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, able to bring clarity and momentum.
• Solid understanding of health & safety, food safety, and sustainability principles.
• Confident developing project scopes, budgets, and delivery plans that drive efficiency and reduce waste.
• Hands‑on, practical, and motivated by making a real difference.
• Experience of managing multi‑million pound project budgets with control and diligence.
• Experience with Monday.com or similar project management platforms would be ideal.

If you tick most of these boxes but not all—don’t stress. We’re all about potential.

Excellent Benefits including

• Paid breaks
• Paid leave on your birthdays, moving house, become grandparent or your child starts school for the first time
• Staff profit share
• Fee Lunch
• Wellbeing program
• 30% staff discount
• Access to CookieJar Smart Spending discounts and free food perks.
• Team meals , events & away days
• Be part of a B‑Corp‑certified business that values sustainability, people, and the community.

And many more ‿.

What Cook is About

We’re a proudly independent, family‑owned B Corp, which basically means we care. A lot. About our food. About our people. And about doing the right thing—even when it’s not the easy thing.

Our vision for COOK has always been that we are a place where EVERYONE is welcome. We want everyone to feel like they belong at COOK. We all have different roles, different abilities and the different personalities. By collaborating we can do remarkable things. Whatever your story, if you would like to grow with COOK please apply.