Time commitment: 2 days per month

Remuneration: Day rate (£1,000 - £1,500)

Deadline: Wednesday 21st February 2024

PCE Automation has been at the forefront of UK automation and manufacturing for more than 60 years, harnessing cutting-edge technology to create bespoke solutions to global manufacturing challenges. Now in its third generation of family ownership, the company has formed a strong reputation within the manufacturing sector for producing complex systems for ocular, medical and pharmaceutical sectors as well as being well known for automation excellence in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and industrial packaging. The company is on an exciting growth trajectory, having grown revenue 5x in the last five years, now employing 160 people with a turnover of circa £15m. Recognition of this growth and expertise was acknowledged by PCE winning the Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2020 and the inaugural King's Award for Enterprise in 2023.

PCE has a comprehensive suite of engineering talent from manufacturing (machining, fabrication), to mechanical, electrical and software design. These are complimented by its experienced assembly, commissioning and service team providing a complete solution to clients. PCE undertakes a mixture of ‘build to print projects’, which are either machines already within its portfolio or building according to customers blueprints and bespoke inventions, often pushing the frontiers of technology. PCE has expanded through organic growth but also via acquisition and now operates out of three locations; its headquarters in Suffolk, as well as sites in Leicestershire and Dublin. 

The company is on course to recognise its business objectives of a turnover of £25m by 2025, with plans to double to £50m by 2030 by the development of a new 3,500-square-meter facility in Suffolk.

PCE Automation has identified a skills gap within the current Board, and has decided to hire a Non-Executive Director to provide oversight and guidance to the company’s production processes. In addition to core board responsibilities, the incoming Non-Executive Director will act as an experienced sounding board as PCE embeds the current production procedures, workflows and build instructions. 

Given the rapid growth which PCE is experiencing, this is likely to be a hands-on non-executive role with an exciting opportunity to have a significant impact on the company’s ability to scale. Ideally, the incoming non-executive will be able to mentor production managers and team leads, helping to ensure efficiencies within their build.

The successful candidate will have proven manufacturing and production expertise gained over an executive career within high-tech companies which exceed a turnover of £30m. 

Experience of directing operations with multiple manufacturing locations would also be considered a major asset, as would expertise of driving lean processing. 

As this is a hands-on non-executive role, the successful candidate will be energised by the opportunity to help shape the direction of the company and set it up for future success. Previous non-executive experience is not required.

David Nolloth, Technical Director
James Cook, CEO
Harry Cook, Sales Director
Shaun Wigley, Managing Director
Keith Gregory, Non-Executive Director

This role is remunerated and the incoming non-executive will be paid a competitive day rate. Reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are four Board meetings per year, which take approximately half a day.

This will be a hands-on board role and it is expected that time commitment will be c. two days per month on average. Candidates who can spend more time engaging with the business would be welcomed, and it is envisaged that this engagement would be a mixture of onsite (Suffolk) and remote interaction.