Project Engineer Manager

Job Introduction

Engineering Projects Manager

UK National | Chesterfield HQ | Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits

Lead Complex Engineering Projects. Drive Growth. Shape the Future of Energy Infrastructure.

AvantiGas is a leading LPG distributor in the UK, part of UGI International, providing reliable energy solutions to homes and businesses across the country. 

As we continue to grow and expand our operations, we are looking for an experienced Engineering Projects Manager to lead our Project Engineering team, owning the end-to-end installation of energy supply schemes, including LPG storage, across customer sites throughout the UK.

We are looking for a technically credible leader who combines deep engineering expertise with strong commercial acumen and the ability to inspire and develop a geographically dispersed team. 

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of Engineering and leading a team of approximately seven Project Engineers, Technicians and a Project Coordinator, you will work at the intersection of engineering excellence and commercial delivery. You will partner closely with the Commercial and Technical teams, and be responsible for overseeing a programme of energy supply scheme installations from initial concept through to customer handover, all on time, on budget and to the highest standards.  With a project portfolio ranging from £5,000 to £25million, this is a role with genuine scale, variety and a national reach.

This is more than a project management role — it is a strategic opportunity to define how engineering projects are delivered at AvantiGas, to drive a culture of continuous improvement, and to build a high-performing team capable of supporting our ambitious growth agenda.

What Makes this Role Special?

In this role you will have:

• Commercial influence: You will engage directly in the sales cycle, shaping what we commit to and how we deliver it. Your engineering judgement will directly protect margin and customer relationships.
• Real autonomy: You will make timely decisions on complex, fast-moving projects across the UK, with the trust and scope to lead your team.
• Safety leadership: You will champion safe-by-design principles across every project, embedding a safety-first culture within the team and influencing how we work at every level.
• Professional development: If you don’t hold chartered status, we will actively support you towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and formal registration with a Professional Engineering Institute.  If you do we will support you to continue to develop.

What You Will Be Doing

Project Delivery and Commercial Alignment

• Engage proactively with the Commercial team from the point of opportunity identification, providing early-stage engineering input to proposals, feasibility assessments and customer commitments.
• Partner with Commercial stakeholders to ensure that scope, budget and programme assumptions made during the sales process are technically sound and deliverable, reducing risk of variation and cost overrun post-contract.
• Take ownership of budget management, setting and control across a portfolio of projects ranging up to £25 million.
• Embed a strong project management discipline and methodology across each project.

Stakeholder and Customer Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, communicating with confidence across both technical and commercial audiences.
• Through your team, work closely with customers throughout the design and installation phases to proactively resolve project issues, ensuring a high standard of experience and delivery.
• Act as a trusted technical partner to customers, building long-term confidence in the business's engineering capability.

Safety, Compliance and Risk

• Champion safe-by-design project management at all times, embedding UGI guiding principles across all activities and within the team's culture.
• Lead on hazard identification, maintaining a thorough understanding of both internal standards and external legislative guidelines and codes of practice.
• Develop a robust risk management framework for complex projects, ensuring risks are identified, assessed and mitigated at the earliest possible stage.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of relevant legislation, standards and codes of practice including DSEAR, PSSR and COMAH.

Team Leadership and Development

• Set clear direction, coach and develop the project engineering team, driving high performance through strong engagement and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Roll out engineering methodology and KPI reporting consistently across the team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and professional development.

Procurement and Supply Chain

• Work closely with procurement business partners to ensure the right products are specified and sourced at the right cost, maintaining quality and value across the project portfolio.

What We Are Looking For

Technical and Functional

• A minimum of 10 years' industry experience, with working knowledge across Mechanical, Electrical, Controls and Instrumentation and Civil Engineering disciplines.
• Competencies A–E of the Engineering Council's UK-SPEC at Incorporated Engineer (IEng) level or equivalent. Holding or working towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and formal registration with a Professional Engineering Institute (IGEM, IMechE, IET, IChemE or EI).
• Proven track record of delivering complex, multi-site technical projects from feasibility through to commissioning. A recognised project management qualification (PMP, PRINCE2, APM) is desirable, or a willingness to work towards one.
• Practical risk management competence, including HAZID/HAZOP, CDM and HSE requirements. NEBOSH qualification preferred.
• Supporting competencies including Permit to Work systems, confined space, work at height and Gas Testing.
• Ability to understand, interpret and apply legislation, standards and codes of practice including DSEAR, PSSR and COMAH at an expert level.
• A functional understanding of Process and Instrument Diagrams (P&IDs), General Arrangements and Hazardous Area Classifications.
• Competent in Microsoft packages, SharePoint, HubSpot, JDE, AutoCAD and workflow/asset management (CMMS) software.
• Full clean UK driving licence to support regular national travel.

Leadership and Personal

• Proven people management experience with the ability to lead and motivate a geographically dispersed team.
• Skilled at building trust and credibility with customers, commercial colleagues and senior leadership.
• Confident in making timely, well-reasoned decisions on complex or ambiguous projects.
• Excellent communication skills, able to articulate technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences, and vice versa.
• A self-motivated team player with strong planning and organisational skills, comfortable operating in a demanding, fast-paced environment.

The Rewards

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Discretionary annual bonus
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with length of service)
• Enhanced pension contribution: 6% employer / 3% employee (increasing with length of service)
• Comprehensive benefits package including private BUPA healthcare and dental cover, life assurance (4x salary), critical illness cover, and enhanced sick pay
• BHSF Rise Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Retail discount scheme
• Ongoing professional development and support towards professional engineering registration
• Annual salary reviews

About AvantiGas

Part of UGI International, AvantiGas is a leading UK LPG distributor committed to delivering safe and efficient energy solutions. We employ approximately 250 people in the UK across multiple locations, supporting diverse industries with technical expertise and customer-focused service. We pride ourselves on our safety-first culture, technical excellence, and our commitment to developing our people through continuous training and career progression opportunities.

Ready to Apply?

If you are an experienced engineering leader ready to take on a high-impact, nationally-focused role where you can drive project excellence and develop a talented team, we want to hear from you.   Read the job description for more information and apply through our Careers Platform.

AvantiGas is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.