Projects & Utilities Manager

Role Description

Princes Group PLC is a leading force in the food and drink manufacturing industry, renowned for its rich heritage and unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability.

As a key member of the Engineering Leadership Team, the Project & Utilities Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our operations and delivering exceptional value to millions of customers.

You will lead the planning, execution, and governance of capital engineering projects across the Bradford site including contributing to and developing the site investment masterplan.

The role manages a portfolio of activities, comprising managing the programme of capital investment at Bradford (~75% of time) with accountability and strategic management of engineering support functions – Site Services, Electrical Engineering & Automation (~25% of time).

Essentially, the role holder will take the lead on all engineering workstreams that are not directly linked to operation and maintenance of production plant and equipment.

To deliver the role the Project & Utilities Manager has a multidisciplinary management team including a Project Engineer(s), Electrical & Automation manager and Site Services manager, each with their own teams. Depending on the current phase of the investment cycle the in‑house project engineer(s) may at times be supplemented by additional contract project engineer(s).

Key Responsibilities

Capital Project Delivery

• Lead end‑to‑end delivery of engineering projects, from concept to commissioning.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, timelines, and risk assessments.
• Ensure projects align with the Group’s capital investment and commercial strategies and operational priorities.
• Manage contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to ensure high‑quality outcomes.

Utilities Strategy & Accountability

• Utilities leadership covers Electrical, Automation and Site Services (Site Services typically but not exclusively includes Steam, Water, Effluent, Compressed Air, Process Gasses & Building Fabric).
• Develop, own and execute a Utilities strategy assuring uninterrupted and fit‑for‑purpose provision of services.
• The strategy should use an optimised approach of balancing capital expenditure, procurement costs of energy with an effective maintenance provision (internally led or contract options).

Engineering Governance & Standards & Strategic Contribution

• Drive standardisation of engineering specifications, processes, and documentation across site.
• Ensure compliance with EAW, CDM, DSEAR, PSSR and all relevant regulations / internal governance frameworks.
• Implement best‑practice project management methodologies and continuous improvement principles.
• Coordinate project delivery with site operations to support commissioning, handover, and post‑implementation reviews to ensure asset performance meets expectations.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency, cost reduction, and asset optimisation across the site.
• Provide expert input into commercially led initiatives & capital planning prioritisation.

Competencies

Project Management

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi‑site engineering projects.
• Skilled in project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management.
• Proficient in structured methodologies (e.g., Prince2, APM, equivalent).

Engineering Expertise

• Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering, ideally within food, beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical or FMCG environments.
• Knowledge of automation, process, utilities, and infrastructure.
• Familiarity with asset lifecycle management and reliability principles.

Safety & Compliance

• Deep knowledge of relevant engineering legislation.
• Ability to lead safe systems of work and ensure robust contractor management.

Commercial Acumen

• Ability to evaluate business cases, negotiate contracts with suppliers, and manage budgets – both projects and revenue.
• Experience delivering cost‑effective solutions without compromising quality or safety.

Leadership Behaviours

• Able to lead cross‑functional teams without direct authority.
• Skilled at influencing stakeholders at all levels, from site teams to senior leadership.
• Confident decision‑maker with strong accountability.
• Excellent communicator who builds strong relationships across operations, engineering, supply chain, and finance.
• Able to translate technical concepts into clear business language.
• Problem‑solving & Critical Thinking.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to develop practical solutions.
• Comfortable managing ambiguity and balancing competing priorities.
• Drive for Results.
• Delivers projects to agreed timelines and standards.
• Demonstrates resilience, urgency, and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Experienced in leading engineering‑driven change in operational environments. Able to support teams through transitions and embed new ways of working.

Role Requirements

Essential

• Degree qualification in a relevant or related engineering discipline.
• Significant experience in project or asset management.
• Strong understanding of statutory compliance, mechanical integrity and safety standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Financial acumen with experience in budget management and ownership.

Desirable

• Professional registration.
• Previous role in utilities operation or reliability engineering.
• Demonstrated engineering leadership within food manufacturing, FMCG or chemical / pharma with a proven track record of improving asset performance across multi‑site industrial environments.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off
• 14.5% pension – 5% employee opt‑in / 9.5% employer
• Hybrid and flexible working – 4 days in office / 1 day WFH
• Flexible holiday option – buy 5 additional days
• Enhanced family‑friendly & carers policies
• Life assurance cover
• Private medical insurance
• Critical illness cover
• Learning and development opportunities.

Country: United Kingdom

Location: Bradford

Business Area: Operations

Workplace Type: Onsite

About Princes

The Princes Group has over 7,000 employees with offices and production sites in the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, France and Mauritius. Princes manufactures 350 different food and drink products responsibly sourced and enjoyed by consumers every day. None of this would be possible without striving to be an employer of choice, where our colleagues are proud to represent our business.

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