Project Manager

The Company

We are Lowe, a globally recognized brand for innovation, ambition and high quality.

Lowe Rental is the world’s leading refrigeration and catering equipment supplier to major food exhibitions, sporting events and retailers across the globe; from the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix to Glastonbury, we provide high quality rental solutions to help our clients entertain and delight their customers.

Job Overview

As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning and leading exhibitions and events primarily onsite, with some remote management for smaller exhibitions. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including transport, warehouse and sales to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. Your role will involve strategic planning, risk management, stakeholder management and communication, and performance monitoring to ensure project success and alignment with our business objectives. The role has a physical, hands on element to it and will require the successful candidate to both lead and be hands on pushing kit, walking long distances in a day and supporting the team where needed.  This role will report to the Head of Project management.

Projects will be based in the UK and Europe with frequent travel to Europe and other worldwide locations. The role will involve being away from home for up to a month at a time and will require weekend work and extended days during time away at expos in order to deliver on time.

 This is both an internal and external role.

o Internally the candidate will be working with other departments including Sales, Design, Technical Support in the preparation of project delivery plans. Whilst in the office, there will be liaison with the Department Manager.

o Externally the role will include the site delivery and management of foodservice installations. This would be hands on role and there would be an expectation for you as part of the team to assist with the movement and positioning of equipment and units.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the delivery of projects on time and within the agreed budget.
• Provide oversight for company and sub-contract teams in order to facilitate the successful completion of projects on time and in budget
• Manage quality issues to ensure that the standards specified by the client are met
• If on site, daily progress reporting
• Work tightly within the client contract and ensure that all contractors have clear scopes of work
• Find solutions in a dynamic work environment to ensure timely delivery to customers.
• Manage and take ownership start to finish for expos and events including planning, leading, delivering, liaising, organising, internal and external customers, key stakeholders, suppliers, internal and external team members and risk and issue management

Health and Safety

• Ensure that all HASAW requirements are met and that the company’s HASAW policy is followed.
• To always carry out tasks in accordance with any documented risk assessment and safe working practice.
• Ensure that all personnel attending site on behalf of the business sign and understand the method statement.
• Ensure that daily signing in sheets are completed by all personnel and contractors.
• To set a high standard of personal appearance in all aspects of any project team, to include
• Care and use of clothing.
• Respect, cleanliness and care for company and the client’s company property and vehicles
• Maintain a clean and tidy site

Technical Qualifications & Required Experience

• Previous experience operating as a Project Manager, with end-to-end planning responsibilities.
• Telehandler and or folklift licences desirable but not essential providing the candidate is willing to undertake.
• Previous experience of construction sites preferred; site supervision essential.
• Previous experience of the events and or exhibition industries desirable but not essential.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team.
• Good computer skills required for communication with office, clients, contractors and suppliers including Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Experience with back office systems e.g. Dynamics 365 desirable but not essential.
• Experience in commercial catering operations desirable but not essential.
• PRINCE2 qualification is desirable.

Personal Attributes

• Able to supervise and control a small team in a fast-moving operational environment
• “Hands on”, can do attitude, resourceful
• Willingness to work long and unsociable hours when needed essential
• Good communicator at all levels – thinks up, down and across. Clear communicator with client.
• Focuses on financial as well as operational performance, uses resources carefully, thinks about how to get more for less
• Takes decisions logically
• Works in a tidy, organised way, never leaves things to the last minute, prioritises their work activities, tackles tasks systematically, is always prepared, plans how to meet deadlines
• Able to act calmly under pressure, always recognizing that there is a support team of managers to fall back on.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Must be eligible to gain CRB/DBS (Criminal Record Background/Disclosure Barring Service) clearance.

Candidate Considerations:

• This role will require a ‘hands on’ attitude to both project management and problem-solving.
• Candidates must be willing to travel across EU and UK when required.
• Weekend or evenings work required where project touch points exist.

Exceptional candidates who do not meet these criteria may be considered for the role provided they have the necessary skills and experience.

Lowe is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. We are incredibly selective in our hiring and shortlisting for this vacancy will be completed on the basis of merit. Candidates should tailor their CVs to reflect our essential criteria.