Project Management Officer / Executive Assistant - 12 month fixed term or contract

Application Deadline: 1 May 2026

Department: Compliance

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Natrium House - Northwich, Cheshire

Description

Founded in science, deep rooted in values and driven forward by our amazing people, here at Tata Chemicals Europe, the UKs only manufacturer of Sodium Bicarbonate and leading manufacturer of food and pharmaceutical grade salt, we're committed to delivering premium products with excellent customer service, whilst also caring for our local community and environment.

As we transition from our commodity chemicals history towards an increasingly higher end, regulated food and pharma ingredients business, we have an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to be part of our journey!

We're looking for an exceptional Executive Assistant / Project Manager to work directly with our Directors - combining senior-level executive coordination with hands-on programme and workstream management.

This is not a traditional EA role, and it's not a standard PMO role either. It's a high-impact position at the heart of the business, ensuring Director-led initiatives are well governed, clearly documented, actively tracked and professionally presented - freeing senior leaders to focus on decision-making while you drive clarity, pace and discipline across delivery.

The challenge (and the opportunity)

Our business runs multiple complex, cross-functional initiatives that require strong governance, integrated planning, and crisp reporting to enable data-led decisions. This role will support the effective governance and day-to-day PMO operation of a portfolio of change and transformation activity, strengthening how we track progress, manage risks/issues, and provide decision-ready updates for senior stakeholders.

What you'll do:

Executive & Director Support

• Act as a trusted right-hand to Directors - owning priorities, workflows and interdependencies.
• Convert leadership intent into structured plans, actions, timelines and high-quality papers.
• Maintain decision/action logs and follow-up rhythm to keep momentum high.

Programme & Workstream Management

• Run the back-office PMO function for Director-led initiatives (strategic programmes, major workstreams etc)
• Maintain integrated plans, milestones and dependencies, highlighting conflicts early
• Track delivery and manage risk, issues and dependencies, ensuring the right escalations happen at the right time.

Governance & Reporting

• Ensure workstreams operate within agreed governance and documentation standards.
• Produce concise, decision-focused reporting for SLT and Board-level forums.
• Maintain documentation control and a clear audit trail.

What kind of person are we looking for?

You'll be someone who is intellectually strong, commercially aware, and able to operate confidently with senior leaders - balancing diplomacy with the ability to challenge constructively.

You'll likely bring:

• Strong programme / project / PMO capability and a track record of making delivery "work" in complex environments. Previous experience of working for a consultancy firm would be ideal.
• Exceptional communication skills - able to produce crisp, decision-led reporting and executive documentation.
• High organisation, accuracy and attention to detail, with an outcomes-first mindset.
• Experience supporting Directors/Exec teams and managing competing priorities at pace.

What you'll get from the role

• A genuinely senior, trusted position working with Directors.
• The chance to shape how high-priority initiatives are governed and delivered.
• Visibility, influence and the satisfaction of turning complexity into clarity.

Job Benefits

Our people have always been at the centre of the company's success and in return for their hard work and commitment, we offer a generous benefits package when engaged directly including:

• 37 days holidays per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays
• Roll over of up to 5 days and salary sacrifice holiday purchase scheme
• An additional paid day off each year to volunteer for a good cause in the local community
• 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
• Excellent contributory Pension scheme up to 9% company contribution
• Life insurance
• Private Healthcare
• After an initial settling in period of 3 months, employees can apply to work from home for up to 40% of their contractual working hours where this can fit around around business needs and in person meetings.

Alternatively we are willing to consider applicants from those wishing to be engaged via our preferred 3rd Party Agency, Morson.