Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Languages
CORE CAPABILITIES
KEY PROJECT DELIVERY DATA
PROJECT DELIVERY APPROACH
Timeline
Generic
Stephen Priest

Stephen Priest

North Shields,United Kingdom

Summary

Senior project and programme manager with extensive experience in delivering capital investment and operational transformation programmes. Strong track record of leading cross-functional teams and managing stakeholders through all project phases. Known for implementing governance and discipline that drives cost reductions and operational improvements.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work history

Project Director / Engineering Director

Marmite Sp. z o.o.
Poznan, Poland
2020.03 - 2025.01
  • Led strategic capital project delivery, process engineering, quality, mould manufacturing and operational improvement functions within high-volume manufacturing environment producing stone bathroom products.
  • Delivered €12M site consolidation programme, integrating two facilities into one automated site and generating €4.5M annual savings.
  • Owned full project lifecycle including concept design, business case development, CAPEX approval, planning, procurement, contractor coordination, commissioning and operational handover.
  • Directed Process Engineering, Quality, Mould Manufacturing and Capital Projects functions, aligning technical delivery with operational and commercial priorities.
  • Designed and implemented two automated production lines, improving throughput, reducing manual handling, increasing reliability and supporting future production scalability.
  • Led cross-functional delivery across engineering, production, quality and capital projects teams, ensuring milestones, risk controls, budget discipline and operational requirements were met.
  • Introduced Power BI reporting and performance dashboards, converting operational data into insight for senior leadership and improving project visibility and decision-making.
  • Drove Lean and Six Sigma improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve process control, shorten cycle times and increase departmental efficiency.
  • Built strong relationships with senior stakeholders, providing commercial insight on operational performance, project progress, benefits delivery and cost improvement opportunities.

Interim Programme Manager / Transformation Consultant

SGP Interim Services Ltd
Bedlington, Northumberland
2012.10 - 2020.03
  • Delivered interim programme leadership, operational transformation, capacity expansion and capital project assignments for manufacturing and engineering clients across UK, Europe and US.
  • Led 50% capacity expansion programme for Marmite in Poznan, including site layout redesign, process optimisation, production flow improvements and operational readiness planning.
  • Delivered $15M greenfield manufacturing facility in US, consolidating four individual factories into one 200,000 sq ft operation and improving operating efficiency.
  • Served as Interim Head of Production at Anglian Home Improvements, leading 500+ employees and 8 area managers across 3 factories.
  • Increased production volume capacity by 25% through shift restructuring, operational redesign and engagement with union representatives and employee committees.
  • Managed operational layouts, facilities and process improvement programmes across international sites including Winchester, Lille, Lincoln, Houston and Bronx.
  • Supported private equity-backed growth and improvement plans, delivering productivity gains, operating consistency and cost reduction initiatives.

Senior Project Contractor

Spitfire Group, UK & International
Glasgow
2007.08 - 2012.10
  • Delivered complex engineering, infrastructure and capital projects for major industrial clients across manufacturing, construction, aerospace, automotive and energy-related environments.
  • Managed full project lifecycle delivery including scope definition, planning, budgeting, resource allocation, risk management, execution, reporting and handover.
  • Delivered projects for high-profile clients including BAE Systems, TRW Automotive, BAM Nuttall, AgustaWestland, Howden Joinery and Eaga plc.
  • Developed detailed project plans, schedules, budgets and resource models to control performance and maintain alignment with client objectives.
  • Identified project risks early and implemented mitigation strategies to protect milestones, budgets, safety, quality and operational continuity.
  • Managed subcontractors, suppliers, client stakeholders and internal teams, maintaining clear documentation, change tracking and communication throughout delivery.
  • Ensured projects complied with relevant safety, quality and regulatory standards while maintaining client satisfaction and repeat engagement potential.

Engineering Manager

Nissan Motor Manufacturing, UK & Japan
Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
1992.09 - 2007.04
  • Progressed from Graduate Engineer to Engineering Manager within one of Europe’s highest-performing automotive manufacturing operations.
  • Led introduction of five new vehicle models into UK production across stamping, injection moulding and body assembly environments.
  • Managed engineering projects focused on production readiness, quality improvement, process capability, automation and cost reduction.
  • Completed intensive two-year manufacturing development programme in Japan under Japanese senior mentorship, specialising in lean production and high-efficiency manufacturing systems.
  • Led cross-functional engineering teams to resolve manufacturing issues, improve production performance and support new model launch requirements.
  • Played key role in maintaining UK plant’s status as high-performing European manufacturing operation.
  • Progressed through roles including Manufacturing Engineer, Project Lead Engineer, Section Manager and Engineering Manager.

Education

Postgraduate Certificate - Business Administration

Open University

BEng (Hons) - Manufacturing Systems Engineering

University of Northumbria

HND - Mechanical & Production Engineering

Newcastle Polytechnic
Newcastle upon Tyne

Skills

  • Microsoft 365
  • Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Project scoping
  • Lean process expert
  • Leadership excellence
  • Large-Scale project execution
  • Six sigma certified
  • Risk assessment techniques
  • Project budgeting
  • Customer relationship management
  • Cost control
  • Progress tracking
  • Project planning
  • PRINCE2 qualified

Websites

Certification

  • PRINCE2 Practitioner
  • Six Sigma Black Belt
  • IOSH Managing Safely
  • DuPont Safety Leadership
  • Managing People Effectively, Cranfield University

Languages

Japanese
Upper intermediate

CORE CAPABILITIES

  • End-to-End Project Delivery
  • Programme Leadership
  • CAPEX Investment
  • Site Consolidation
  • Greenfield Development
  • Automation Projects
  • Project Governance
  • Risk & Issue Management
  • Budget Control & Forecasting
  • Contractor & Supplier Management
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Operational Readiness
  • Commissioning & Handover
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Six Sigma
  • Power BI Reporting
  • Benefits Realisation

KEY PROJECT DELIVERY DATA

  • €12M site consolidation programme delivered, integrating two production facilities into one automated operation.
  • €4.5M recurring annual savings generated through consolidation, automation and overhead reduction.
  • $15M US greenfield manufacturing facility delivered, consolidating four operations into a single 200,000 sq ft site.
  • 50% capacity increase achieved through site layout redesign, process optimisation and improved production flow.
  • 25% production output improvement delivered through operational restructuring, shift changes and stakeholder engagement.
  • 500+ employees and 8 area managers led across 3 factories during an interim Head of Production assignment.
  • 5 new vehicle programmes launched into UK production within a high-volume automotive manufacturing environment.

PROJECT DELIVERY APPROACH

  • Establish clear scope, success criteria, governance cadence, milestone plans and delivery reporting from the outset.
  • Use structured risk, issue and change control to protect cost, schedule, safety, quality and operational continuity.
  • Translate complex operational problems into practical delivery plans across engineering, quality, production and supplier teams.
  • Manage operations and suppliers through clear accountability, progress tracking, escalation routines and performance expectations.
  • Prioritise operational readiness, commissioning discipline, handover quality and benefits realisation so projects deliver sustained business value.

Timeline

Project Director / Engineering Director

Marmite Sp. z o.o.
2020.03 - 2025.01

Interim Programme Manager / Transformation Consultant

SGP Interim Services Ltd
2012.10 - 2020.03

Senior Project Contractor

Spitfire Group, UK & International
2007.08 - 2012.10

Engineering Manager

Nissan Motor Manufacturing, UK & Japan
1992.09 - 2007.04

Postgraduate Certificate - Business Administration

Open University

BEng (Hons) - Manufacturing Systems Engineering

University of Northumbria

HND - Mechanical & Production Engineering

Newcastle Polytechnic
Stephen Priest