Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer Cala Consulting are recruiting a Manufacturing Engineer for their client, a growing manufacturing business specialising in the production of uPVC windows, doors and aluminium products. This is a hands-on, improvement-focused role responsible for supporting the business in improving manufacturing efficiency, quality and consistency. Working closely with operators, supervisors and management, the successful candidate will review production processes, identify areas for improvement and implement sustainable solutions. The role will cover the full manufacturing journey, from order and material preparation through profile cutting, machining, welding, assembly, glazing and final inspection. The successful candidate will spend significant time on the factory floor, using production data and practical observations to identify opportunities and deliver measurable improvements. Responsibilities and Duties Review production methods, layouts, work instructions and process flows across manufacturing, identifying bottlenecks, rework, waiting, excess movement and other sources of waste Lead continuous improvement projects focused on improving safety, quality, output, lead times and cost Analyse production data, including output, cycle times, downtime, scrap, defects and rework, to establish priorities and track the effectiveness of improvements Investigate recurring manufacturing issues, identify root causes and implement corrective and preventative 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 production teams to reduce defects and improve first-time-right performance, traceability and adherence to customer and product specifications Support improvements to equipment reliability, reduce unplanned downtime and ensure production equipment is suitable for the work being undertaken Assess proposals for new equipment or process changes, preparing business cases where appropriate and supporting supplier discussions, installation, commissioning and validation Coordinate improvement activity across departments, communicating changes clearly and involving employees who use the processes on a daily basis Maintain project records and report progress, results, risks and next steps to the Manager and relevant stakeholders. Essential Criteria Experience in a manufacturing, process or production engineering role, or equivalent practical experience delivering improvements within a fast-paced environment Relevant engineering qualification, such as HNC/HND, degree, apprenticeship or equivalent experience Proven experience improving manufacturing processes and delivering measurable improvements 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 identify root causes Understanding of continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles, with practical experience using tools such as 5S, standard work and root-cause analysis Ability to create clear process documentation and communicate technical information to colleagues with varying levels of technical experience Confident working with operators, supervisors and managers, with the ability to build engagement around process changes Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously Experience supporting equipment installation, commissioning, process validation or new product introduction Lean, Six Sigma or other continuous improvement training Skills: Manufacturing engineering TPBN1_NI