An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Contract Project Manager to lead a major strategic capital investment programme at a growing manufacturing site in Drogheda.

The project represents an investment of approximately €20 million and will involve a significant facility expansion, alongside the installation and integration of new manufacturing equipment, packaging technologies, automation and supporting infrastructure.

This is a highly visible role with direct exposure to senior leadership and responsibility for taking the project from planning and design through construction, commissioning, validation and operational handover.

Alongside the primary capital programme, you will also support a number of additional strategic projects focused on manufacturing innovation, new product initiatives and automation investment across the site.

What You'll Be Responsible For

You will take overall ownership of the project delivery programme, ensuring that projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget and to the required quality standards.

Key responsibilities will include:

Leading the project lifecycle from concept, design and planning through construction, commissioning and operational handover.
Developing and managing project execution plans, schedules, budgets, governance structures, reporting frameworks and risk registers.
Managing project scope, change control, risks, issues and stakeholder expectations.
Coordinating facility expansion and construction activities across multiple contractors and specialist partners.
Managing architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical and building services contractors.
Monitoring contractor performance, progress, quality and delivery against agreed milestones.
Leading the integration of manufacturing equipment, packaging technologies, automation systems, robotics, utilities and supporting infrastructure.
Coordinating equipment installation across multiple project workstreams and managing interfaces between construction and manufacturing fit-out.
Supporting FAT, SAT, commissioning, validation and production ramp-up activities.
Managing external contractors, consultants, equipment suppliers and system integrators.
Managing project budgets, forecasts, expenditure, cash flow and capital approvals.
Providing clear project reporting, recommendations and updates to senior leadership and steering groups.
Identifying and managing project risks and implementing appropriate mitigation strategies.
Driving cost optimisation opportunities while protecting project quality, safety and delivery objectives.
Supporting additional capital projects and engineering initiatives across the site.

Your First 90 Days

During your first 30 days, you will build relationships with key stakeholders, understand the site and manufacturing operation, and take a detailed view of the existing project plans, scope, governance, budgets, risks and timelines.

By 60 days, you will take ownership of project governance and reporting, establish robust project controls and risk-management processes, and begin coordinating contractors, suppliers and engineering workstreams.

By 90 days, you will be fully leading project execution, driving key milestones and decisions while managing performance across schedule, budget, quality and safety.

What We're Looking For

You will be an experienced project professional with a strong track record delivering large-scale capital projects within a manufacturing environment.

You should have:

A minimum of 5 years' experience managing significant capital projects within manufacturing, FMCG, pharmaceutical, industrial, engineering or similarly complex environments.
Proven experience delivering capital projects with responsibility for project budgets.
Demonstrable experience managing facility expansion and construction projects.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment installation, utilities, automation systems and manufacturing infrastructure.
Strong project management expertise across planning, scheduling, budgeting, governance, reporting and risk management.
Experience coordinating and leading multiple contractors, suppliers, consultants and external stakeholders.
Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive delivery within matrix organisations.
Strong communication, leadership, negotiation and problem-solving skills.

Desirable Experience

Experience in one or more of the following would be advantageous:

FMCG, consumer goods, pharmaceutical, medical device or other regulated manufacturing environments.
Highly automated manufacturing and packaging facilities.
Robotics, AGVs, automated warehousing or material-handling systems.
High-speed packaging technologies.
Greenfield or brownfield manufacturing developments.
Strategic site expansion programmes.
International or matrix-led organisations.

Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related technical discipline is preferred.

Professional project management certification such as PMP, PRINCE2, APM or equivalent would be advantageous.

Candidates with significant relevant experience delivering major capital projects will also be considered where formal project management qualifications are not held.

What Will Make You Successful

You will be someone who takes genuine ownership of project outcomes and is comfortable making decisions in a complex, fast-moving environment.

You'll bring:

Strong accountability and a results-driven approach.
The confidence to make timely, commercially sound decisions.
Excellent stakeholder and relationship-building skills.
The resilience to manage competing priorities, risk and change.
A collaborative approach to working across Engineering, Operations, Quality, H&S, Finance and Procurement.
The ability to balance strategic thinking with practical, hands-on project delivery.
A strong focus on safety, quality, cost and schedule.
The ability to build effective relationships with contractors, suppliers and specialist partners.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a high-profile, €20 million manufacturing expansion programme and play a key role in shaping future production capability.

You will work directly with senior engineering leadership and collaborate across Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, H&S, Procurement and Finance, as well as a broad network of external contractors, consultants and technology partners.

If you have a proven track record delivering complex capital projects and are looking for an opportunity where your work will have a visible and lasting impact on manufacturing operations, this could be an excellent next project.

Location: Drogheda, Co. Louth
Contract: Approximately 2 years
Working Model: Primarily onsite

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