Project Manager, Operations Management

Location:

UK-based, with European travel required

Contract:

Fixed-term, January 2027 – December 2028
Reporting to:
European Operations Director

Jonathan Lee Recruitment is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead a major European manufacturing relocation and consolidation programme for an established international industrial manufacturing organisation.

This is a significant strategic assignment involving the transfer of customised, build-to-order manufacturing, assembly and test operations between multiple European facilities.

You will take responsibility for planning and delivering the programme from initial mobilisation and factory readiness through equipment relocation, production transfer, ramp-up and post-launch stabilisation.

Working closely with senior operational leadership and international site teams, you will ensure the transition is delivered safely, on schedule and within budget, while maintaining customer service, product quality and business continuity.

The contract is expected to commence in January 2027 and run through to December 2028. The successful candidate must be available for the full duration of the assignment.

Due to the confidential nature of this programme, further details about the organisation will be shared with shortlisted candidates at the appropriate stage, subject to confidentiality requirements.

• Develop and manage the overall project plan, milestones, budgets, resources and governance arrangements.
• Lead project steering committee reviews and provide regular updates to senior leadership.
• Manage risks, dependencies, mitigation plans and escalations.
• Ensure programme objectives are achieved within agreed timescales and financial parameters.

• Lead the phased transfer of manufacturing, assembly and test operations across multiple European sites.
• Coordinate the relocation of equipment, inventory, technical documentation and production processes.
• Oversee equipment decommissioning, transportation, installation, commissioning and operational handover.
• Develop production transfer and ramp-up plans to minimise disruption and maintain customer delivery performance.
• Monitor operational KPIs and resolve issues during production launch and stabilisation.

• Coordinate factory layout planning, facility expansion and infrastructure readiness.
• Ensure production areas, utilities, equipment and supporting facilities are prepared ahead of each transfer phase.
• Work with site leadership to establish the capacity and capabilities required for successful production launch.
• Lead operational readiness reviews and manage critical project dependencies.

• Coordinate workforce planning, training and skills transfer between existing and receiving manufacturing teams.
• Ensure technical knowledge, process documentation and work instructions are effectively transferred.
• Support recruitment and training plans to ensure the receiving site is ready for production.
• Monitor workforce competency and operational readiness ahead of each launch.

• Develop inventory and material transfer plans to maintain continuity of supply.
• Coordinate procurement, logistics and material planning activities.
• Ensure ERP systems, IT infrastructure and supporting equipment are ready for production.
• Maintain quality, safety and regulatory compliance throughout the programme.
• Coordinate process validation, equipment qualification, change control and relevant audit activities.

• Build strong relationships with international site leadership teams…