Programme Manager - Engineering & Capital Projects

Help shape the future of Highland Spring

Highland Spring is entering an exciting period of growth and transformation as we deliver an ambitious 10-year capital investment strategy across our manufacturing operations.

We are expanding our Engineering & Capital Projects function and are looking for an experienced Programme Manager to lead a portfolio of strategically important capital projects.

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact within a well-known Scottish business that is investing in its people, facilities and manufacturing capability. You will help establish best-practice project governance, strengthen our approach to programme delivery and lead major engineering and infrastructure projects from initial concept through to successful operational handover.

The role

Reporting to the Group Engineering & Projects Manager, you will provide both strategic programme leadership and practical, hands-on delivery.

You will bring together colleagues from Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Quality, Finance and Health and Safety, alongside consultants, contractors, equipment manufacturers, suppliers and other delivery partners.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Establishing effective programme governance, reporting routines and project controls.
• Developing integrated project plans, critical paths, milestones and dependency maps.
• Managing risks, issues, actions, decisions and change controls.
• Leading major capital projects through design, procurement, construction, installation, commissioning and operational handover.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing complex project interfaces.
• Providing clear and concise updates to sponsors, steering groups and senior stakeholders.
• Monitoring scope, cost, schedule, safety, quality and operational requirements.
• Maintaining a visible presence on site during key construction, installation and commissioning phases.
• Ensuring training, documentation, maintenance readiness and operational handover are fully planned and delivered.
• Supporting the development of consistent project management standards, templates and ways of working.
• Sharing lessons learned and helping build project management capability across the business.

About you

You will be an experienced programme or project leader with a strong track record of delivering significant capital investment projects within manufacturing, FMCG, food and beverage, pharmaceutical or a comparable industrial environment.

You will be comfortable moving between strategic planning, senior stakeholder engagement and practical site-based delivery. You will bring structure and discipline to complex programmes while remaining adaptable, approachable and focused on finding solutions.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Successful delivery of complex capital projects from concept through to commissioning and operational handover.
• Experience establishing programme governance, project controls and reporting frameworks.
• Strong integrated planning skills using Microsoft Project, Primavera P6 or an equivalent tool.
• Effective management of contractors, consultants, equipment manufacturers, suppliers and delivery partners.
• Strong commercial awareness, including budget management, forecasting and change control.
• The ability to identify and manage risks, issues, dependencies and competing priorities.
• Clear, confident communication with senior leaders, operational teams and external partners.
• The ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams without relying on direct line authority.
• A practical, proactive and delivery-focused leadership style.

A degree in Engineering, Construction, Project Management or a related discipline would be beneficial, as would an APM, PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent qualification.

Knowledge of CDM Regulations, experience working with principal contractors and experience developing PMO or capital project governance frameworks would also be advantageous.

We recognise that strong candidates may not meet every requirement listed. We welcome applications from people who can demonstrate relevant transferable experience and the potential to succeed in the role.

How we work

Our values shape how we work together and how we deliver for our customers.

We’re a Team

We support one another, communicate clearly, encourage different perspectives and work together to make things happen.

We’re Proud

We take ownership, maintain high standards, celebrate our achievements and continually look for ways to improve.

We Care

We treat people fairly and respectfully, create an inclusive environment and care deeply about our customers, our communities and the natural environment around us.

As Programme Manager, you will bring these values to life by setting clear priorities, making confident decisions, involving others in change and creating an environment where people feel heard, supported and able to contribute.