Project Manager

We are FBC UK, Fox's Burton's Companies ……And we bake the UK's most incredible biscuits (we might be slightly biased, but we will leave that for you to judge). FBC UK was a match made in heaven, with two of the top UK biscuits manufacturers (Burton's Biscuits and Fox's Biscuits) coming together to create one unique, integrated company. We are home to famous iconic brands, including Maryland, Fox's, Jammie Dodger & Rocky, to name just a few. We are proud manufacturing partners to some of the biggest UK retailers and household names. We bake our incredible biscuits at eight bakeries across the UK, located at Isle of Arran, Livingston, Blackpool, Llantarnam, Edinburgh, Kirkham, Batley & Dorset and our HQ in St Albans. Together, we employ circa 4,000 amazing colleagues across all our locations. 

Whilst we know that we have delicious products we also know that that the key ingredient to our success is our people, and the passion we have for our brands. You could be the jammy to our dodger, party ring to our Fox's or the choc-chip to our Maryland?  We knead people with innovative ideas, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the commitment to drive FBC UK to success. We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that feels empowered to build a fulfilling and successful career. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) we create a supportive environment for people to thrive and strive to have more positive impact. We understand that having formal and on-the-job learning opportunities is key to our colleagues' professional and personal growth. We are committed to providing an environment where everyone can learn from each other and grow through a variety of learning experiences. 

Our colleagues make our business special. With strong community values, we believe FBC UK is a more prosperous and fun place to work when people feel free to be themselves. We believe in the power of being authentic, entrepreneurial, and supporting each other whilst meeting our business goals.

 We are seeking a Subject Matter Expert in Project Management for a six month fixed term contract to lead change management for product and packaging initiatives. This role ensures the efficient delivery of COMAN changes through FBC internal processes, maintaining strict adherence to milestones and budgets.

You will collaborate closely with COMAN partners to define project briefs, set clear expectations, and execute actions that deliver results. The role includes full ownership of project reporting and related information such as packaging stocks, write-offs, origination, and trials. You will also act as the primary contact for project trials and ensure successful project delivery.

• Company Interface to COMAN partners on projects. (Daily/weekly contact as required)
• Internal Project brief creation with COMAN partner brief.
• Integration and management of project into PCP process.
• Management of projects through the stage & gate process NPD/EPD.
• Creation and management of project timelines, plans and action tracking/completion
• Facilitation of project team meetings.
• Identify, quantify, and elevate areas of risk on the project to the business whilst mitigating risk where possible. (Project Risk Management)
• Process management of projects – initiate, track, communicate and complete.
• Co-ordinate all projects on a daily/weekly basis, working closely with cross-functional teams including technical packaging, site contacts for projects, material supply planning and finance.
• Attend project meetings, issue minutes and ensure all agreed actions are implemented.
• Daily/weekly contact with COMAN partners
• Initiate briefs and development of artwork
• Manage PCP/MDAs through the system.
• Kick off Meetings, Post Launch Reviews
• Input into the process improvements projects
• Tracking, reporting, quoting all project related costs and administration (Origination, trails, packaging write off costs)

To excel in this role, you will bring a strong educational foundation and relevant FMCG knowledge. You should have a solid understanding of project management principles at a foundation level, along with developed knowledge of NPD/EPD processes (Stage & Gate) and PCP systems. Ideally, you will also hold a PMP-level certification and possess basic knowledge of supply and demand planning, commercial P&L awareness, and ERP systems with data analysis capabilities.

Your skill set should include the ability to manage multiple projects effectively, communicate clearly both verbally and in writing, and demonstrate strong organizational and problem-solving abilities using an agile approach. You must thrive in a fast-paced environment and be driven to meet deadlines, with proficiency in project management tools and techniques. Experience in influencing and managing senior stakeholders is highly desirable.

In terms of experience, you will have a proven track record of delivering NPD/EPD projects within FMCG or a similar environment, including branded and retailer brand projects. A minimum of five years managing complex projects is preferred, although candidates with high potential and transferable skills will be considered. Additional experience in cross-functional project leadership, senior stakeholder engagement, and FMCG technical project management would be advantageous.

FBC UK is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at FBC UK. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.