Project Director

Freightliner

10d

About The Position

The Project Director will lead and deliver a portfolio of projects across Freightliner Limited, with a particular focus on commercial, operational, technology enhancement and continuous improvement initiatives. The role combines project management discipline with practical operational understanding and close stakeholder collaboration to deliver business outcomes. It also manages the Continuous Improvement team, comprising three direct reports, and drives a culture of continuous improvement. The role supports measurable improvements in operational performance, customer service, efficiency and business processes. It is responsible for successful change adoption and embedding new ways of working across Freightliner, while ensuring projects align with business strategy and deliver tangible benefits. The position works across operational, commercial, engineering and support functions, and engages with external suppliers and partners where applicable. Freightliner is a UK intermodal logistics provider offering rail, road and terminal solutions connecting ports, inland terminals and customer destinations. The company describes its approach as focused on innovation, safety and sustainability, providing reliable, efficient and lower-carbon supply chain solutions.

Requirements

Demonstrable experience managing complex projects from initiation through implementation and benefits realisation.
Strong project planning and organisational skills, including experience using project management tools and methodologies.
A practical, hands-on approach and the ability to balance project governance with operational realities.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities.
Excellent stakeholder management skills and confidence engaging at all levels of an organisation.
Strong commercial awareness and understanding of operational business environments.
Ability to challenge constructively, influence stakeholders and drive decisions to maintain project momentum.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on pragmatic solutions.
Experience delivering business change, process improvement and technology-related projects.
Excellent communication, presentation and facilitation skills.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the rail, logistics, transport or heavy operational sectors.

Responsibilities

Lead and deliver projects across commercial, operations, technology enhancements, engineering and support functions in line with agreed objectives, timescales and budgets.
Develop and maintain project plans covering milestones, dependencies, resource requirements and critical paths.
Coordinate project resources with functional leaders, securing appropriate expertise and support within operational constraints.
Monitor project progress, identify risks, issues and delivery barriers, and implement mitigation plans with the business.
Provide project reporting and updates to sponsors, senior management and key stakeholders.
Facilitate project governance, including steering groups, project boards and status reviews as appropriate.
Ensure projects deliver measurable business benefits and support Freightliner's strategic objectives.
Work with operational and commercial teams to understand requirements, challenge assumptions and priorities, and translate needs into practical solutions.
Assess proposed initiatives for business value, strategic alignment, resource justification and tangible outcomes, recommending against projects where benefits are unclear or unlikely to be realised.
Lead change management activities to support implementation and adoption of project deliverables.
Drive cross-departmental collaboration and alignment on key initiatives.
Manage relationships with external suppliers, consultants, technology partners and third-party vendors where applicable.
Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and regulatory and compliance requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
Support post-implementation reviews, evaluate project success, capture lessons learned and embed continuous improvement opportunities.
Lead, develop and motivate the Continuous Improvement team of three direct reports, fostering excellence, accountability and innovation.
Coach and guide team members, support their professional development, and embed continuous improvement methodologies and best practices throughout Freightliner.
Collaborate with operational and functional leaders to drive sustainable change, monitor benefits realisation and support strategic business objectives.
Identify opportunities to improve processes, operational efficiency and customer outcomes, and turn them into deliverable initiatives with clear objectives, resources, timelines and measurable benefits.
Facilitate workshops and stakeholder discussions to challenge existing ways of working and develop practical improvement solutions.
Lead implementation of approved improvement initiatives, ensuring delivery to agreed objectives, timescales and business outcomes.
Apply continuous improvement methodologies to deliver sustainable operational and commercial benefits, embed best practice and ensure anticipated benefits are realised.