Project Manager

Premier Foods; St Albans; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses

Pension up to 7.5%

Private medical insurance

Sharesave scheme

Extensive learning and development

Job summary

Premier Foods is looking for an experienced Project Manager to join our Sweet Treats Innovation team. In this role, you will lead various product and packaging projects from initial concept through to launch.

You’ll ensure every project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. Your responsibilities will include creating comprehensive project plans, managing timelines, and coordinating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex projects in FMCG or manufacturing.
• Strong commercial awareness and proactive mindset.
• Positive leadership style with excellent attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead product and packaging projects from concept to launch.
• Create and maintain project plans, timelines, and milestones.
• Coordinate with external suppliers to achieve milestones.
• Keep stakeholders informed about project progress.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional teamwork

Stakeholder engagement

Planning and organization

Communication skills

Risk evaluation

Attention to detail

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Education

Project management qualification (APM, PMP, Agile, PRINCE2)

Job description

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Join Premier Foods — where people, brands and purpose come together.

Are you an experienced Project Manager who enjoys bringing people together, solving challenges and turning exciting ideas into successful launches?

We’re looking for a Project Manager to join our Sweet Treats Innovation team at Premier Foods. You’ll lead a varied portfolio of product and packaging projects from initial concept through to launch, ensuring every project is delivered on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.

From new product development and packaging redesigns to sustainability initiatives, regulatory changes, cost‑saving programmes and manufacturing improvements, you’ll play an important role in shaping and delivering our innovation agenda.

What you'll be doing?

Working with colleagues across R&D, Marketing, Commercial, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Operations and Logistics, you’ll provide the energy, structure and focus needed to keep projects moving forward.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading product and packaging projects from concept through to launch
• Creating and maintaining clear project plans, timelines and key milestones
• Managing project scope, cost, timing, quality and risk
• Bringing cross‑functional teams together and driving ownership of actions
• Leading project meetings with clear decisions, minutes and next steps
• Managing governance requirements, stage‑gate reviews, approvals and project documentation
• Identifying potential issues early and escalating risks when required
• Coordinating external suppliers and partners to ensure agreed milestones are achieved
• Keeping stakeholders informed about progress, priorities, risks and decisions
• Supporting projects after launch by tracking success measures and leading robust reviews
• Helping to minimise the risk of packaging or ingredient write‑offs
• Ensuring project information and data are accurate and completed on time

What we're looking for?

You’ll be a confident and organised Project Manager who can build strong relationships, influence stakeholders and maintain momentum across several projects at once.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Experience of leading complex projects through cross‑functional teams and delivering against critical deadlines
• Project management experience within an FMCG or manufacturing environment
• Strong planning, organisation, prioritisation and time‑management skills
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to engage and present at all levels
• A positive, motivational leadership style
• Strong commercial awareness and a proactive, ownership‑focused mindset
• The ability to evaluate risks, understand their wider implications and develop appropriate contingencies
• Excellent attention to detail and an appreciation of effective processes and governance
• Confidence using Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint

A recognised project management qualification, such as APM, PMP, Agile or PRINCE2, would be advantageous. An awareness of environmental, social and governance considerations relating to food and packaging would also be beneficial.

What we offer you in return?

• Competitive salary and bonus
• Up to 7.5% pension
• Private medical insurance and life assurance
• Hybrid working (50% home / 50% office or site)
• Sharesave scheme and the option to purchase additional holiday
• Extensive learning and development opportunities
• Access to a wide employee discount scheme

At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.

We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you experience any access issues or require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know so we can ensure you have the support you need.