Lead MES Implementation Manager Salary: £70,000 £85,000 + benefits
Location: Slough (Hybrid 2 days per week on site)
We are recruiting a senior MES implementation professional to take full ownership of customer delivery and lead complex Manufacturing Execution System (MES) implementations end to end.
This role is delivery and leadership led, not purely technical. It is suited to someone who naturally takes responsibility, sets direction, and is trusted to drive successful outcomes with customers, partners, and internal teams.
The Role As Lead MES Implementation Manager, you will own the delivery of MES implementations from kick off through go live and stabilisation. You will define how implementations are run, lead customer engagement, and ensure projects are delivered with strong structure, clarity, and accountability.
While technical understanding remains important, this role is measured by ownership, leadership, and execution, rather than hands on engineering alone.
The role is hybrid, with 2 days per week on site in Slough and the remaining time split between customer engagement and remote working.
Key Responsibilities - Take full ownership of MES implementations from initiation through delivery
- Act as the primary senior point of contact for customers during implementations
- Define and drive delivery plans, governance, and communication frameworks
- Establish and improve implementation processes, tools, and best practices
- Proactively identify and manage delivery risks and dependencies
- Lead and influence internal delivery resources and cross functional teams
- Ensure training, adoption, and successful handover are embedded in delivery
- Provide technical and architectural oversight without being purely hands on
What We re Looking For Essential Experience - Strong experience delivering MES or manufacturing IT implementations in live production environments
- Proven track record of owning delivery, not just contributing technically
- Experience leading customer facing implementations with multiple stakeholders
- Confident communicator capable of leading senior customer discussions
- Recognised by peers as a natural leader
Technical Background - Solid understanding of manufacturing operations and execution systems
- Experience working across IT / OT landscapes and system integrations
- Able to challenge designs and guide delivery decisions
Desirable - Experience defining or improving implementation frameworks or delivery standards
- Mentoring or supporting more junior team members
- Exposure to product delivery, roadmap input, or collaboration with R&D teams
Who This Role Is For This role will suit:
- A senior MES Implementation Engineer ready for full delivery ownership
- A delivery focused leader from manufacturing IT or industrial automation
- Someone who values accountability, structure, and leadership impact over pure technical depth
This is not a junior role and not a purely hands on engineering position.
Salary & Package
- £80,000 £85,000, depending on experience
- Benefits package included
- Hybrid working model: 2 days per week on site in Slough