Project Manager

HR Contact S.C.; Witney; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Job summary

Company: A trusted partner to some of the world’s iconic automotive brands; Project Manager (m/f) in Witney, Oxfordshire, hybrid model with 1–2 days on site. Travel to UK and international sites may be required.

You’ll lead New Product Introduction for automotive projects, coordinating customers, suppliers and internal teams to deliver launches on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of automotive project management experience.
• Experience with New Product Introduction and APQP processes.
• Experience working with automotive OEMs; JLR experience valuable.
• Ability to manage budgets and assess cost impacts of changes.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Taking ownership of automotive projects, managing New Product Introduction through development, industrialisation and launch.
• Managing project timelines, budgets, resources and risks to meet customer milestones.
• Driving APQP and Gateway activities, keeping project plans, documentation and deliverables on track.
• Coordinating cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing and Supply Chain to resolve issues and keep launches moving.
• Working directly with automotive OEMs and suppliers, leading project reviews and maintaining clear, proactive communication throughout the launch process.
• Monitoring tooling, testing and capital expenditure budgets, identifying cost variances and driving corrective actions.
• Managing the impact of engineering changes on timing and costs, supporting customer negotiations and protecting project profitability.
• Reporting project progress, KPIs and delivery risks to the Programme Manager, escalating issues with clear recommendations.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

APQP

New Product Introduction

Budget management

OEM experience

Communication

Travel willingness

Job description

Project Manager (m/f)

Ref. no: PM/10/2026/W

Role:

You’ll take ownership of automotive projects, work directly with leading OEMs and bring together customers, suppliers and internal teams to deliver successful launches, on time and within budget.

Location: Witney, Oxfordshire (hybrid working with regular site attendance, 1-2 days per week).

Travel: UK customer and supplier visits, with international travel if projects require.

Company: A trusted partner to some of the world’s most iconic automotive brands, including Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley, BMW/MINI and the Volkswagen Group, delivering products ranging from precision-engineered labels to innovative illuminated assemblies.

What you will be doing:

• Taking ownership of automotive projects, managing New Product Introduction through development, industrialisation and launch.
• Managing project timelines, budgets, resources and risks to meet customer milestones.
• Driving APQP and Gateway activities, keeping project plans, documentation and deliverables on track.
• Coordinating cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing and Supply Chain to resolve issues and keep launches moving.
• Working directly with automotive OEMs and suppliers, leading project reviews and maintaining clear, proactive communication throughout the launch process.
• Monitoring tooling, testing and capital expenditure budgets, identifying cost variances and driving corrective actions.
• Managing the impact of engineering changes on timing and costs, supporting customer negotiations and protecting project profitability.
• Reporting project progress, KPIs and delivery risks to the Programme Manager, escalating issues with clear recommendations.

What will help you get the job done:

• 4+ years of relevant automotive project management experience, with practical responsibility for delivering customer milestones.
• Proven experience in New Product Introduction, automotive launches and APQP processes.
• Experience working directly with automotive OEMs and navigating their requirements, milestones and customer portals. JLR experience is particularly valuable; BMW/MINI, Volkswagen Group/Bentley or Nissan experience is also relevant.
• Experience managing project budgets, with a clear understanding of how engineering changes affect costs, timing and profitability.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. You can lead difficult conversations, negotiate constructively and build trust with customers and colleagues.
• A hands‑on, organized approach, with the ability to manage several projects and respond effectively when priorities change.
• Willingness to travel to customers, suppliers and other company sites in the UK and internationally.

We offer:

• Work directly with globally recognised automotive brands on projects that reach series production.
• Take ownership of your projects, with a visible impact on launch performance, customer relationships and business results.
• Be part of a collaborative, non‑corporate organization where autonomy, accountability and practical ideas matter.
• Enjoy a hybrid working model combining home working with regular attendance at the Witney site.