Project Manager / NPI Programme Manager – Engineering / Manufacturing
Location: Stafford
Contract: 12 months (high likelihood of extension)
Rate: £46.50–£47 per hour Umbrella (Inside IR35) or £33.50 per hour PAYE
Start: ASAP
We’re looking for an experienced NPI Programme Manager to support a portfolio of new product introduction programmes within an established engineering and manufacturing environment.
This is a key role coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver new products, manage programme milestones and ensure projects progress through the required development and launch stages.
Working across multiple programmes, you’ll bring together stakeholders from different areas of the business, maintain visibility of progress and risks, and help ensure project plans, resources and deliverables remain aligned.
The Role
Lead and coordinate multiple New Product Introduction (NPI) programmes, typically managing 2–4 projects at any one time.
Establish and maintain programme plans, schedules and gateway milestones to support successful product delivery.
Coordinate cross-functional teams and manage relationships with stakeholders across the business.
Provide regular programme updates to management, highlighting progress, risks, issues and areas requiring attention.
Organise and facilitate programme meetings, stakeholder updates, gateway reviews and issue-resolution meetings.
Identify and resolve programme issues, working with relevant teams to agree and implement solutions.
Coordinate development, pilot, field follow-up and first-production builds through Operations.
Monitor programme requirements, financial targets, costs and delivery schedules.
Identify opportunities for cost containment and continuous improvement.
Support and guide project management colleagues and cross-functional team members where required.About You
You’ll have a strong background in engineering project or programme management, ideally within a manufacturing environment, with experience of bringing together multiple functions to deliver complex projects.
We’re particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:
Significant experience in engineering, design, development or operations.
Experience managing engineering projects or programmes and leading cross-functional teams.
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
Experience managing project plans, schedules, milestones and programme reporting.
The ability to identify risks and issues, solve problems and keep programmes moving forward.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office applications.Experience in automotive engine manufacturing, aerospace or general mechanical manufacturing would be particularly relevant. A degree is desirable, although equivalent project management experience will be considered.
Contract Details
Initial 12-month contract, with a strong likelihood of extension.
Inside IR35.
£46.50–£47 per hour through an FCSA-accredited umbrella company, or £33.50 per hour PAYE.
Monday to Thursday, 8:00am–4:30pm; Friday, 8:00am–1:00pm.
Fully site-based in Stafford.
Immediate start preferred, subject to availability.If you have a strong engineering or manufacturing background and enjoy coordinating teams, managing complex programmes and delivering new products through to production, we’d be interested in hearing from you.
Please apply with your CV and we’ll be in touch to discuss the opportunity
