Interim Project Manager Job Vacancy

Ref Job 5258
Position Interim Project Manager
Sector Fine Chemicals
Location UK NW

Information about our Client

Our Client is an established speciality materials producer based in the NW.

The company develops and processes fluids and components for technical and engineering applications. Products are supplied to customers throughout Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australasia and South Africa. Turnover is of the order of £10-15m pa.

The company has grown rapidly during the last ten years and is now planning the next stage of expansion. See Project Information below.

Project Information

Speciality fluids production is to be built up over the next 12 months. Additional process plant is to be installed within the existing factory, and existing mechanical and electrical (M&E) services are to be adapted and extended to suit. A new raw materials storage building and an additional bulk storage tank and cooling tower are to be provided externally.

Whilst project management resources are available within the company, viz project engineering/planning, purchasing, finance, expediting etc, it is likely that the company will require a new project manager to handle the project and to act as a point of visibility, focus and responsibility for the implementation of the project.

This brief is directed towards the recruitment by the company of a project manager on temporary (interim) contract.

The Interim Project Manager, Personal Qualities/Professional Qualifications

The successful candidate will have the ability and experience necessary to co-ordinate all inputs and to deliver the project within the agreed time/budget targets and performance/quality criteria. The candidate will be educated to HNC or degree level, in an engineering discipline, probably mechanical engineering. Candidates with qualifications in another engineering discipline, with the relevant industrial and process background, will be considered.

Ideally, the candidate will be a member of a recognised professional engineering body and/or project management institution.

The successful candidate will primarily be a project manager, with at least five years practical experience at project manager level in the engineering and management of industrial projects. The project manager must be a confident leader, a good people manager and team builder, with a persuasive personality. He/she must be primarily an achiever, able to obtain results and able to communicate effectively at all levels, both inside the company and externally, with suppliers, local authorities, etc.

The Interim Project Manager Job Description (Summary)

The main responsibilities for the project manager (including delegating where necessary) will include, but will not be limited to:

  • Assessing the skills/personnel available for the project and team building in consultation with the HR manager and line managers, notifying the HR manager of any additional external resources required for the project, in good time for such support to be identified and appointed.
  • Reviewing the budget allocation for the project and allocating cost centres, preparing a framework for project cost control and agreeing the methodology and reporting mechanism with senior management.
  • Planning of all project activities, showing key dates (milestones), sequence, duration and timing for project control purposes and agreeing with senior management.
  • Appointing any specialist external engineering consultants, as may be required to ensure the engineering integrity and safety of the installation.
  • Obtaining the necessary approvals and permits, including planning permission, building regulations approval, environmental approvals, Health & Safety compliance etc, in conjunction with management.
  • Developing a preferred bidders list in consultation with company personnel, including checks of bidders' financial and performance and other status checks; also reference visits, if appropriate.
  • Agreeing a strategy with senior management for sub-letting of the work, defining the extent of the work packages, deciding which would be handled by external contractors and which (if any) in-house.
  • In conjunction with purchasing department, developing the terms of contract for external suppliers' and contractors' work packages, using model forms of contract where appropriate.
  • Preparing and issuing the enquiries for the agreed work packages to preferred (pre-qualified) bidders.
  • Evaluating tenders and negotiating contracts in conjunction with the purchasing department, confirming the scope, price, performance, timing and payment terms for each work package.
  • Setting up a Health & Safety plan, appointing a Planning Supervisor and Principal Contractor and overseeing the preparation of risk assessments, method statements etc. all to CDM regulations.
  • Calling forward contractors and suppliers in the correct sequence; co-ordinating and managing the site work in a compliant manner, whilst maintaining existing production, without disruption.
  • Expediting and inspecting equipment undergoing manufacture off site, to ensure contract compliance.
  • Holding regular site meetings with contractors' and suppliers' personnel, to review progress and ensure compliance with programme and other contracted parameters.
  • Administering payments to contractors and suppliers, authorising any variation orders and approving stage payments and retentions in accordance with the contracts.
  • Monitoring progress and costs against the agreed control documents, taking the necessary action to correct any deviations from the agreed budget/schedule.
  • Monitoring the quality of the installation against the specification and performance testing of the installation following commissioning.
  • Preparing progress reports for senior management to keep them informed of progress including bringing important issues to their attention, for review and decision.