Project Manager - Life Sciences

Are you an experienced project manager with a scientific or engineering background, ready to take on complex, high-value projects within the fast-paced world of medical device testing. Smithers MDT, a global leader in life sciences and analytical testing, is looking for a Project Manager to join our dynamic team at our Shawbury site. This is an exciting opportunity to work across both UK and European operations, supporting cutting-edge projects and driving operational excellence.

As a Project Manager, you will play a pivotal role in the end-to-end management of client projects, from proposal through to delivery. You’ll be responsible for preparing quotes, managing scope changes, and hosting programme management calls with clients, often liaising with technical and commercial stakeholders alike. Your ability to combine technical insight with commercial awareness will be key in delivering high-value proposals and ensuring projects are delivered on time and on budget.

You’ll thrive in this role if you’re naturally proactive, highly organised, and confident working independently. Our ideal candidate will bring at least four years of experience in a technical or project management role, ideally within a scientific, engineering, or quality-driven environment. A degree in a relevant discipline such as Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Forensic Science, or Mechanical Engineering is preferred, but equivalent industry experience is also welcome.

In this role, you’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams across our laboratories in the UK and Europe, support improvements to internal systems and processes, and contribute to profitability reviews and strategic analysis. You’ll also represent Smithers MDT at conferences and exhibitions, helping to raise our profile within the industry. This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain international exposure, with occasional travel to client sites, tradeshows and industry events across Europe and beyond.

To succeed, you’ll need strong communication skills, high attention to detail, and the ability to juggle multiple priorities in a commercial environment. Experience with client communication, risk assessments, CRM and PM software, and an understanding of medical device testing or laboratory practices would be a strong advantage. Foreign language skills such as French, German, or Spanish would also be beneficial, though not essential.