Project Manager – Full Time – Andover

Catering; Andover; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Catering in Andover, Hampshire, is seeking a driven Project Manager to lead small-to-medium defence projects (£1m-£15m). You will own delivery from concept to manufacture, balancing technical compliance with commercial goals.

Working with design engineers, manufacturing teams, and the Programme Director, you will manage budgets, schedules, and risks, while ensuring security clearance is maintained. This role demands leadership in a regulated environment and hands-on project governance.

Qualifications

• Defence industry experience in a PM role preferred.
• Advanced capability with MS Project and Excel for scheduling and reporting.
• Experience with MRP systems or ISO 9001 internal auditing is a plus.
• Engineering or technical degree; APMP/PRINCE2 desirable.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Own project execution from concept to final manufacture.
• Control the financials, forecasts and MS Project schedules.
• Manage client and partner relationships, subcontractors and follow-on opportunities.
• Identify, monitor, and resolve daily challenges related to quality, costs, supply chain, and resources.
• Implement defined project lifecycle processes and provide monthly progress reporting to leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Defence industry experience

Regulatory/compliance awareness

Team coordination

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Project

Excel

MRP systems

ISO 9001 auditing

Job description

Project Manager

Location: Andover area, Hampshire (Weyhill vicinity)

The Opportunity

We are looking for a driven Project Manager to join our fast-paced defence and engineering projects team. This role is perfect for someone who loves the challenge of taking full ownership of small-to-medium defence projects (£1m-£15m) and turning complex client requirements into a structured, successful reality. You will spend your days balancing rigorous technical compliance and quality standards with real-world commercial goals.

In this role, you will be the bridge between our customers, design engineers, and manufacturing teams. Working alongside the Programme Director, you will lead high-profile projects, guiding them from contract flow-down right through to final delivery, while helping to build and expand our internal project management function.

Please note: Due to the nature of this work, achieving and maintaining UK Security Clearance (SC) is a mandatory condition of employment.

What You Will Do Day-to-Day

Own project execution: As our designated Project Manager, you will solely manage the day-to-day delivery of large defence projects from concept to final manufacture.
Control the financials & schedule: Take full accountability for financial performance, tracking actuals against forecasts and managing MS Project schedules.
Manage client & partner relationships: Guide complex stakeholder expectations, manage sub-contractors, and identify follow-on business opportunities.
Mitigate project risks: Identify, monitor, and resolve daily challenges relating to quality, costs, supply chain, and resource demands.
Drive process & governance: Implement defined project lifecycle processes and provide clear monthly progress reporting to executive leadership.

About You

You are a results-driven leader who understands how to navigate complex, highly regulated environments. You thrive in a collaborative workspace, bring excellent commercial and technical astuteness, and have the following to your name:
Defence industry experience: A strong background working within a technical defence environment as a Project Manager, ideally including familiarity with MoD acquisition processes.
Technical project know-how: Advanced capability with MS Project, Excel, and engineering lifecycle governance. Experience with MRP systems or ISO 9001 internal auditing is a major plus.
Proven team leadership: The ability to motivate cross-functional teams, coordinate with overseas governments or premium clients, and resolve technical issues quickly.
Educational foundation: A relevant degree or equivalent extensive experience in an engineering or technical discipline (APMP or PRINCE2 qualifications are highly desirable).

What Success Looks Like

When you settle into the role, success as our Project Manager will mean delivering high-compliance engineering projects on time and within budget, with minimal hitches along the way. You will become a trusted partner to our sales and manufacturing teams, expanding our PM capabilities and consistently driving high customer satisfaction scores with key government bodies.

What We Offer

Competitive pay: A salary of £60k-£75k per annum on offer, depending on your defence sector experience.
Full-time collaboration: A dedicated 5 days on-site position, giving you direct, hands-on exposure to our design and manufacturing operations.
Exciting projects: The chance to lead critical, high-stakes defence infrastructure and manufactured product programmes.
Growth and leadership: A key position with a direct hand in shaping, expanding, and mentoring the business’s project management function.

Salary:

Job Type: Permanent

Location:

Andover, Hampshire