Controls Project Manager (Head of Role)
Location: Home‑based with regular home‑office / site split (Midlands or North UK preferred) Team: Managing a team of 5
Function: Project Delivery – Controls & Automation
Employment Type: Permanent
Role Overview
We’re seeking a Controls Project Manager to lead the delivery of multiple automation and controls projects across the UK. This role suits someone with a strong PLC/controls engineering background who has progressed into project delivery and wants full ownership of outcomes, budgets and team leadership.
You’ll manage a team of five engineers, oversee all live projects, and ensure delivery is safe, on time and commercially successful. The position is home‑based with a balanced mix of remote work, home office days and site visits.
Key Responsibilities
- Full ownership of delivery for all live controls/automation projects
- Budget management, forecasting and commercial oversight across the project portfolio
- Scheduling and resource planning for the engineering team
- Lead, coach and develop a team of 5 controls/automation engineers
- Act as the technical escalation point for PLC/controls topics
- Ensure compliance with quality, safety and customer requirements
- Manage customer communication, expectations and project reporting
- Drive continuous improvement in project processes, documentation and delivery standards
- Support pre‑sales, scoping and technical input where required
Required Experience & Skills
- Strong background in controls/PLC engineering (Siemens, Rockwell, Mitsubishi or similar)
- Proven experience delivering automation or controls‑led projects
- Confident managing budgets, schedules and commercial performance
- Experience leading small engineering teams or mentoring engineers
- Strong customer‑facing communication and stakeholder management
- Ability to balance technical depth with project leadership
- UK‑based, ideally Midlands or North for travel efficiency
Desirable
- Experience in automated material handling, robotics, FMCG, manufacturing or similar
- Exposure to commissioning, FAT/SAT, or integration projects
- Formal project management training (Prince2, APM, PMP)
- Ability to support solution design and technical decision‑making
What This Role Offers
- High ownership and autonomy across the full project lifecycle
- A growing business with investment and a strong project pipeline
- Hybrid flexibility with home‑based working