Manufacturing Engineer
About the role
We are looking for a practical, improvement focused Manufacturing Engineer to help make the production of our uPVC windows, doors & aluminium products more efficient and consistently of high quality.
Working closely with the team you will examine how work moves through the factory, solve process problems and put lasting improvements in place. The role covers the manufacturing journey from order and material preparation through profile cutting, machining, welding, assembly, glazing and final inspection, adapted to the equipment and processes used at our site.
This is a hands-on role in a manufacturing business which employs approx 120 people. You will spend time on the factory floor, listen to operators and supervisors, and turn practical observations and production data into workable changes.
Key responsibilities

Review production methods, layouts, work instructions and process flow across manufacturing; identify bottlenecks, rework, waiting, excess movement and other sources of waste.
Lead continuous improvement projects that improve safety, quality, output, lead times and cost.
Analyse production information, including output, cycle times, downtime, scrap, defects and rework, to establish priorities and track whether changes deliver sustained results.
Investigate recurring manufacturing issues and identify root causes and implement corrective and preventive actions.
Develop and maintain clear process documentation, including standard operating procedures, work instructions, process maps, setup information and quality checkpoints.
Support the introduction or modification of products, profiles, hardware, equipment and production methods.
Work with team to reduce defects and improve first-time-right performance, traceability and adherence to customer and product specifications.
Work to improve equipment reliability, reduce unplanned downtime and make sure production equipment is suitable for the work being undertaken.
Assess proposals for new equipment or process changes, prepare business cases where appropriate, and support supplier discussions, installation, commissioning and validation.
Co-ordinate improvement activity across departments, communicating changes clearly and involving the people who use the processes every day.
Maintain project records and report progress, results, risks and next steps to the Manager and relevant stakeholders.

Essential

Experience in a manufacturing, process or production engineering role, or equivalent practical experience delivering improvements in a fast-paced environment.
A relevant engineering qualification, such as HNC/HND, degree, apprenticeship or equivalent experience.
Evidence of improving manufacturing processes and delivering measurable gains in areas such as quality, output, downtime, lead time or cost.
Experience with CNC equipment
A structured approach to problem solving, with the ability to use production data and shop-floor observation to find root causes.
Understanding of continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles, with experience applying practical tools such as 5S, standard work and root-cause analysis.
Ability to create clear process documentation and communicate technical information to colleagues with different levels of technical experience.
Confident working with operators, supervisors and managers, and able to build engagement around changes.
Good organisational skills, including the ability to manage several projects at the same time.
Experience supporting equipment installation, commissioning, process validation or new product introduction.
Lean, Six Sigma or other continuous improvement training.