Contract Project Manager

WaterWipes; Drogheda; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

WaterWipes is seeking an experienced Contract Project Manager to lead a major capital expansion on site in Drogheda, Ireland. This fixed-term role spans about two years and focuses on delivering safe, on-time, within-budget results while coordinating engineering, operations, quality, procurement and external partners.

You will own the full project lifecycle from concept through construction, commissioning and handover, develop schedules and budgets, manage risks, and report to senior leadership

Qualifications

• Proven track record delivering large capital projects in manufacturing or similar environments.
• Experience managing facility expansion, construction, or engineering investment projects.
• Strong planning, governance, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management skills.
• Experience coordinating contractors, consultants, and cross‑functional teams.
• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or equivalent

Responsibilities

• Lead the full project lifecycle from concept to handover, across multiple contractors.
• Develop schedules, budgets, governance, risk registers and stakeholder comms.
• Oversee integration of manufacturing equipment, packaging tech and utilities.
• Drive governance, reporting and recommendations to senior leaders.
• Ensure safety, quality, regulatory compliance and on-time delivery.

Skills

Project planning

Governance

Budgeting

Forecasting

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Contractor coordination

Cross-functional leadership

Decision making

Education

Engineering / Construction Management degree

Job description

The Opportunity

WaterWipes is investing in the future of our manufacturing operations, and we are looking for an experienced Contract Project Manager to lead one of the most significant capital projects in our recent history. This is a fixed-term contract linked to the successful delivery of a major strategic investment project and is expected to last approximately two years, through to final project completion.

You will take ownership of a large-scale facility expansion project involving new manufacturing, packaging, automation, and supporting infrastructure technologies that will strengthen our manufacturing capability and support future business growth.

While the primary focus will be the successful delivery of this business‑critical capital project, you will also support the Engineering team on a number of strategic projects already underway across the site. This provides an opportunity to contribute beyond a single project and become a key part of the wider Engineering function during an exciting period of growth and investment.

This role is not about maintaining the status quo. It's about delivering complex projects that create lasting impact. You will work across engineering, operations, quality, procurement, finance, and external partners to turn ambitious plans into reality while ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to the business.

What You'll Be Accountable For

You will lead the successful delivery of a major capital investment project, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

You Will Be Accountable For

• Leading the full project lifecycle from concept and planning through construction, commissioning, validation, and operational handover.
• Developing and managing project schedules, budgets, governance frameworks, risk registers, and stakeholder communications.
• Managing facility expansion and construction activities across multiple contractors and specialist partners.
• Overseeing the integration of manufacturing equipment, packaging technologies, automation systems, utilities, and supporting infrastructure.
• Driving project governance and providing clear reporting and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Managing project budgets, forecasting, expenditure, and commercial performance.
• Ensuring compliance with safety, quality, engineering, and regulatory standards.
• Supporting the wider Engineering team on additional strategic capital and improvement projects across the site.

Who This Role Is For

This role is suited to an experienced project professional who enjoys taking ownership, solving complex challenges, and delivering projects that have a visible impact on business performance.

You Will Likely Bring

• A proven track record delivering large‑scale capital projects within manufacturing, FMCG, pharmaceutical, industrial, or similarly complex environments.
• Experience managing facility expansion, construction, engineering, or manufacturing investment projects.
• Strong expertise in project planning, governance, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management.
• Experience coordinating contractors, suppliers, consultants, and cross‑functional teams.
• The ability to influence stakeholders, make decisions, and keep momentum through challenging project phases.
• A degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline, or significant equivalent experience delivering major capital projects.

What Will Make You Successful Here

• Take ownership and consistently deliver on commitments.
• Balance strategic thinking with practical execution.
• Build trust quickly with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.
• Remain calm and decisive when navigating change, risk, and competing priorities.
• Focus on safety, quality, timelines, and project outcomes.
• Challenge constructively and drive projects forward even when obstacles arise.
• Bring energy, resilience, and a continuous improvement mindset to everything you do.

Why Join WaterWipes

WaterWipes is a global brand with ambitious growth plans and a strong sense of purpose. We combine the agility of a growing business with the investment, ambition, and pace needed to make things happen.

This Role Offers a Rare Opportunity To

• Lead a high‑profile capital investment project with significant visibility across the organisation.
• Shape the future manufacturing capability of WaterWipes.
• Work alongside experienced leaders, engineers, and technical specialists.
• Contribute to multiple strategic projects during a key period of growth.
• Deliver work that will have a lasting impact long after the project is complete.

Location & Practicalities

Location: Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland

Working Model: Primarily onsite. This role requires close collaboration with site teams, contractors, and project stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

Contract Type: Fixed‑Term Contract (approximately 2 years).

WaterWipes® was created by our founder Edward McCloskey after his newborn daughter developed a nappy rash on her sensitive skin. After an extensive search he couldn’t find a baby wipe that didn’t contain numerous ingredients, so he decided to make his own. Many years later and after a lot of hard work, testing, and scientific research, WaterWipes® was born. Pure and gentle for the most delicate skin but in the convenience of a baby wipe, WaterWipes® are purer than cotton wool and water. Every day, parents around the world are discovering the benefits of our gentle and effective WaterWipes® for their baby’s skin. We hope you like them too.