Project Manager - 12-18 Month Contract

Morgan Advanced Materials is a business rich in history and innovation. Founded in the UK in 1856, we have grown into a global organisation with 70 sites in 18 countries. Our model to serve our customers where they need us has led to a diversified product range using our unparalleled expertise in ceramic and carbon materials, which we exploit to solve difficult problems for our customers across a diverse range of markets.

We are a purpose driven organisation. Our purpose is to use advanced materials to make the world more sustainable and to improve the quality of life. We deliver on that purpose through the products that we make, and the way that we make them.

The Technical Ceramics business of Morgan Advanced Materials engineers high performance functional and structural ceramic materials, components and sub-assemblies to address customer-specific technical challenges.

Key Figures: Revenue £1,100.7m (2024), ~8,000 employees, manufacturing in 20+ countries, and a global customer portfolio. A UK PLC with head office located in Windsor, Berkshire UK.  Listed on London Stock Exchange; Member of the FTSE 250 Index.

Responsibilities:

OVERVIEW & SCOPE OF ROLE

Under the direction of the Site Manager and in close collaboration with the Project Management Organization, the Project Manager will lead the end-to-end transfer of manufacturing products, processes, equipment, and technical knowledge from existing operations to the receiving facility. The role is accountable for ensuring operational readiness through the successful transfer and implementation of manufacturing capabilities while maintaining customer requirements, quality standards, and business continuity.

The Project Manager will provide leadership and coordination across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Facilities, and other supporting functions to ensure project objectives are achieved safely, effectively, and on schedule. This is a hands-on role requiring active engagement in transfer activities, process implementation, equipment installation and qualification, operational problem solving, and production readiness efforts. Success in this position requires a balance of project leadership and practical execution, with the ability to work directly with cross-functional teams to remove obstacles and drive results.

The Project Manager is responsible for driving project execution, managing risks, facilitating communication among stakeholders, and ensuring timely achievement of project milestones. Success in this position requires strong project management skills, technical aptitude, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to balance customer commitments, operational requirements, and organizational priorities while supporting the long-term growth objectives of the business.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead end-to-end planning and execution of product transfer projects, including the transfer of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, technical knowledge, and associated documentation between facilities.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, budgets, resource requirements, and milestone tracking to ensure successful project execution.
• Define process, equipment, capacity, and resource requirements necessary to support transferred products and operational readiness.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Facilities, EHS, and customer-facing functions to ensure alignment and execution of project objectives.
• Lead equipment relocation, technology transfer, process implementation, and knowledge transfer activities between sending and receiving facilities.
• Identify project risks, resource constraints, and interdependencies; develop mitigation plans and drive timely resolution of issues that may impact project success.
• Coordinate qualification, validation, customer approval, and production readiness activities to ensure transferred products meet all quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Monitor project performance against established objectives, communicate status to stakeholders, and provide regular updates to leadership on progress, risks, and recovery plans.
• Support production ramp-up activities and ensure successful transition to ongoing operations while maintaining customer delivery commitments.
• Drive continuous improvement of project management and product transfer processes while ensuring compliance with applicable quality systems, regulatory requirements, and company policies.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY, RISK & COMPLIANCE

• Champion a strong EHS culture across the site, ensuring all project activities comply with applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure contractors and staff are competent, adequately trained, and properly supported to perform their duties safely and in alignment with site procedures.
• Promote and reinforce a culture of near‑miss and hazard reporting among all personnel to support continuous improvement in site safety, compliance, and environmental performance.
• Identify project‑related EHS risks early, escalate concerns appropriately, and collaborate with relevant teams to develop corrective and preventive actions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, or related field.
• Proven experience managing large-scale manufacturing projects involving technology transfer, process implementation, equipment transfer, equipment installation, qualification, and production ramp-up activities.
• Strong project planning, scheduling, resource management, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Experience working directly with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Facilities functions to achieve project objectives.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, including demonstrated success leading complex product transfers, equipment relocations, facility startups, or operational readiness initiatives.
• Hands-on approach with the ability to actively participate in technical problem solving, process implementation, and operational readiness activities.
• Demonstrated successful project management track record in an industrial engineering environment, with specific experience leading manufacturing facility project startups or product transfers.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong proficiency in project management software such as Microsoft Project.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Individual must be a:
  • Citizen of the United States, or
  • Permanent resident alien of the United States, or
  • Protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) as defined by 22CFR120.15

DESIRED EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND

• Professional Project Management qualification – e.g. PRINCE2 Practitioner/APM PMQ / PMI PMP certification or International equivalent.
• CNC machining and automation knowledge.
• Experience in Metallizing, Plating, Firing, Pressing, Molding an advantage
• Experience operating within regulated manufacturing environments such as ISO 9001, ISO 13485, AS9100, aerospace, medical device, or other highly regulated industries.
• Experience with quality systems, process validation, change management and risk management.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other operational excellence training or certifications.

Morgan Advanced Materials is an EEO/AA/M/W/D/V Employer.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles, and chemicals.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job description does not state or imply that all duties to be performed are specifically identified above. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested or instructed by an authorized person of the Company. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.