Senior Mechanical Project Lead - Industrial Pharma

KD Group (Engineering Contractors); Leinster; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KD Group is recruiting an experienced Project Manager to lead the site-based delivery of a significant industrial/pharmaceutical mechanical services project in the Midlands, from mobilisation through commissioning and handover. The role requires ownership of programme, coordination, resources and quality, in collaboration with senior management and subcontractors.

The successful candidate will oversee stainless steel pipework, chillers, AHUs, cleanroom interfaces, BMS and related interfaces.

Qualifications

• Five years’ experience in a comparable project management role within mechanical engineering or building services
• Minimum Level 7 qualification in Mechanical Engineering
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, chilled water and related systems
• Experience interpreting contract documents, BOQs, budgets and subcontract scopes

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical works from mobilisation through practical completion, handover and close‑out
• Develop and maintain the delivery plan, short‑term programmes, procurement schedule and commissioning milestones
• Coordinate labour, engineers, supervisors and specialist subcontractors to meet programme and productivity requirements
• Plan work fronts, access, lifting, logistics, temporary requirements and shutdown activities with the project team
• Monitor progress, resolve constraints and implement recovery actions arising from coordination and progress meetings

Skills

Leadership

Planning

Communication

Problem solving

MS Office

Education

Level 7 Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Established in 2003 and headquartered in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, KD Group is a leading Irish mechanical engineering contractor delivering high-quality solutions across the pharmaceutical, healthcare, commercial, industrial, public, hospitality, residential, logistics, food, data centre and energy sectors. We are certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 and use BIM and off-site prefabrication to support safe, efficient project delivery.

We provide an environment in which people can develop and grow while upholding our core values of safety and well-being, innovation, integrity, collaboration, passion and excellence.

The Role:

KD Group is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the site-based delivery of a significant industrial/pharmaceutical mechanical services project in the Midlands, from mobilisation and procurement through construction, commissioning, handover and close-out.

The works include stainless steel chilled-water and process pipework, chillers, AHUs, cleanroom

ventilation, fan filter units, BMS/controls and interfaces with cleanroom, electrical and builder’s works packages. The successful candidate will take ownership of programme, coordination, resources, quality, commercial performance and commissioning readiness while working closely with senior management, the commercial team, site teams, specialist subcontractors, the client and the design team.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The Project Manager will be responsible for the following:

Project Delivery and Site Management:

• Lead the mechanical works from mobilisation through practical completion, handover and close-out.

• Develop and maintain the delivery plan, short-term programmes, procurement schedule and

commissioning milestones.

Coordinate labour, engineers, supervisors and specialist subcontractors to meet programme and

productivity requirements.

• Plan work fronts, access, lifting, logistics, temporary requirements and shutdown or tie-in activities with the wider project team.

• Monitor progress, resolve constraints, implement recovery actions and close out actions arising from coordination, client and progress meetings.

Technical Coordination, Design & Interfaces:

• Manage the mechanical installation against contract documents, approved submittals and equipment schedules.

• Coordinate RFIs, design clarifications, BIM/shop drawings and fabrication information so installation details are buildable and issued on time.

• Resolve interfaces with cleanroom, electrical, builder’s works and BMS contractors, equipment

suppliers and other trades.

Coordinate plant, controls, power, wiring and final-connection requirements and escalate risks

affecting programme, cost, quality or commissioning.

Procurement & Subcontractor Management:

• Manage procurement schedules, technical submittals, approvals and deliveries, with particular focus on long-lead plant and fabricated pipework.

• Define subcontractor scopes and interfaces and manage performance against programme, quality and close-out requirements.

• Coordinate the receipt, protection and installation of free-issue and contractor-supplied equipment and materials.

Programme, Cost & Commercial Management:

• Work with the Contracts Director and Commercial Team to control costs, protect margin and

• Review labour, materials, plant, subcontract expenditure and procurement commitments against the tender budget and agreed allowances.

• Identify, record and manage variations and scope changes from instruction through quotation,

approval and completion.

• Maintain contemporaneous records of instructions, design changes, delays, disruption and additional works to support contractual entitlement.

• Review significant supplier and subcontractor quotations, variations, progress and applications

before recommending commitment or payment.

• Support valuations, cashflow, monthly reporting and final account close-out, escalating material

commercial or contractual issues early.

• Provide concise weekly reporting on progress, programme, procurement, commercial position, risks, technical issues, quality and commissioning.

• Implement project QA/QC requirements for a high-specification industrial/pharmaceutical

• Ensure inspection and test plans, material and weld records, pressure testing, NDT requirements,

equipment inspections and installation check sheets are completed progressively.

• Drive system completion, snagging and pre-commissioning on an area and system basis.

• Plan and coordinate testing and commissioning with suppliers, BMS, electrical and cleanroom

contractors.

• Compile commissioning records, test results, demonstrations, O&M information, as-constructed

drawings and asset data progressively for handover.

Health, Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with Irish health and safety legislation, KD Group’s HSQE Management Systems and project-specific risk assessments and method statements.

• Lead safety planning, site coordination meetings and toolbox talks.

• Promote a proactive culture of safety, compliance and continuous improvement across all teams.

Leadership and Stakeholder Management:

• Lead and mentor project engineers, supervisors and site teams, setting clear responsibilities and

standards.

• Chair project progress and coordination meetings and ensure agreed actions are completed.

• Act as the principal client interface for project delivery and technical matters.

• Build effective relationships with the client, design team, suppliers, subcontractors and internal

stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• At least five years’ experience in a comparable project management role within mechanical

engineering or building services.

• A minimum Level 7 qualification in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent relevant experience.

• Strong knowledge of HVAC, chilled water, stainless steel pipework, AHUs, pumps, valves, controls

and relevant Irish and international standards.

• Experience interpreting contract documents, BOQs, budgets and subcontract scopes and identifying scope gaps, variations and commercial risk.

• Strong leadership, planning, communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and stakeholders.

• Competence in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

How to Apply:

Please send your CV and cover letter to [e-mail], quoting “Project Manager – Midlands” in the email subject line.

Postal applications may be sent to Human Resources, Unit 12B, N5 Business Park, Moneen, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, quoting “Project Manager – Midlands” in the letter heading.