At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead end-to-end MES implementations and guide clients through the process.
- Company: Dynamic tech company focused on innovative manufacturing solutions.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with opportunities for travel and client engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in manufacturing by leading cutting-edge MES projects.
- Qualifications: Significant MES implementation experience and strong technical foundation.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This role sits at the senior end of MES delivery. We’re looking for an experienced MES Implementation Lead who can take ownership of end‑to‑end MES implementations across manufacturing environments, from early discovery through to go‑live and post‑implementation support.
Unlike a pure engineering role, this position carries delivery leadership and accountability. You will still be technically hands‑on, but your primary value comes from shaping implementations, guiding customers, and leading successful outcomes rather than simply configuring systems.
You will act as the senior point of contact for MES delivery on assigned projects, bridging manufacturing operations, control systems, cloud platforms, and internal product teams.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Leading MES implementations: Own the delivery of MES implementations from initial requirements through to deployment and stabilisation. Lead discovery workshops to understand manufacturing processes, production lines, constraints, and improvement opportunities. Translate operational and business needs into clear MES designs, configurations, and delivery plans.
- Technical ownership: Oversee and contribute to MES system configuration, integration, and validation. Guide the integration of MES platforms with shop‑floor systems (PLC, SCADA, IoT/edge devices) and enterprise systems (ERP, quality, WMS/WCS). Ensure solutions are robust, scalable, and aligned with real‑world manufacturing operations.
- Client leadership: Act as the senior, trusted technical lead for clients during delivery. Provide clear direction, manage expectations, and handle complex technical or operational challenges. Deliver and oversee training for key stakeholders and end users, ensuring strong adoption.
- Internal leadership: Act as a technical escalation point for other implementation engineers. Contribute to improving delivery standards, implementation frameworks, and documentation. Work closely with product and development teams to influence platform enhancements based on delivery experience.
What we’re looking for:
- Experience: Significant experience delivering MES or manufacturing IT solutions in live production environments. A background that combines manufacturing operations understanding with technical implementation capability. Proven experience leading or owning MES implementations rather than contributing as a junior team member.
- Technical foundation: Strong understanding of manufacturing processes (food, beverage, or process manufacturing experience is highly relevant). Hands‑on experience with: MES / MOM platforms, Industrial integration (PLC, SCADA, OPC UA, MQTT, Modbus), Manufacturing data flows between shop floor and cloud systems, Microsoft Azure environments, SQL and manufacturing data analysis / visualisation (e.g. Power BI). Comfortable validating, testing, and troubleshooting complex systems.
- Ways of working: Confident operating independently on client sites and leading delivery discussions. Able to communicate clearly with operators, engineers, IT teams, and senior stakeholders. Structured, accountable, and comfortable making decisions in ambiguous environments.
Who this role is for (and who it isn’t):
This role is for you if:
- You have already delivered MES implementations and want greater ownership and influence.
- You enjoy being hands‑on technically while also leading delivery and client relationships.
- You are comfortable being accountable for outcomes, not just tasks.
This role is not for you if:
- You are looking for a purely configuration‑focused or junior engineering position.
- You prefer limited client interaction or narrowly defined technical tasks.
- You have not yet worked in live manufacturing environments.
Practical details:
- Location: Hybrid – Slough office, remote working, and client sites
- Travel: Regular UK travel; some international travel may be required
- Reporting to: Delivery / Project Leadership
- Right to work: UK
Lead MES Implementation Engineer in London employer: Exalto Consulting
Contact Detail:
Exalto Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead MES Implementation Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common MES-related questions. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable discussing your experience and how it relates to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! When chatting with potential employers, highlight specific projects where you led MES implementations. We want to hear about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead MES Implementation Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your significant experience in delivering MES or manufacturing IT solutions. We want to see how you've taken ownership of projects and led implementations, so don’t hold back on those details!
Tailor Your Application: When applying, tailor your application to reflect the specific requirements mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who can translate operational needs into clear MES designs, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to complex technical topics. Make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Exalto Consulting
✨Know Your MES Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Manufacturing Execution Systems and their role in manufacturing environments. Brush up on your knowledge of integration with PLCs, SCADA, and cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure. Being able to discuss specific examples from your past experiences will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts but have actually applied them.
✨Prepare for Client Leadership Scenarios
Since this role involves acting as a trusted technical lead for clients, think about past situations where you've had to manage client expectations or resolve complex issues. Prepare to share these stories during the interview, highlighting your communication skills and ability to lead discussions effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Hands-On Experience
Be ready to talk about your hands-on experience with MES implementations. Discuss specific projects where you took ownership from discovery to go-live, and how you ensured robust and scalable solutions. This will help illustrate your capability to bridge the gap between technical implementation and operational needs.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
In this role, you'll need to make decisions in ambiguous environments. Prepare to discuss challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you approached problem-solving. Highlight your structured thinking and accountability, as these traits are crucial for leading successful MES implementations.