Senior Production and Continuous Improvement Engineer in Barnsley

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Production & Continuous Improvement Engineer to join a well-established and growing engineering and manufacturing business based in South Yorkshire. Operating within the mechanical engineering and industrial equipment manufacturing sector, the business has an established international customer base and a strong reputation for delivering high-quality engineered products. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing or production engineering professional to take ownership of continuous improvement initiatives, lead production engineering activities and help drive operational excellence across a busy manufacturing environment.

As Senior Production & Continuous Improvement Engineer, you will lead and coordinate the Production Engineering function, supporting both existing manufacturing operations and the introduction of new products. You will take a hands-on approach to identifying inefficiencies, developing improved manufacturing methods and implementing sustainable changes across production. A key part of the role will involve working closely with production, engineering, quality and supply chain teams to improve manufacturing performance, eliminate waste and establish efficient production systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the Production Engineering team, delivering project-based improvements and supporting day-to-day engineering activities.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives, utilising tools such as Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, 5S and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Identify and eliminate non-value-added activities, improving productivity, reducing waste and controlling manufacturing costs.
• Support the introduction of new products and components, managing engineering changes and ensuring production readiness.
• Maintain and improve Bills of Materials (BOMs), controlled build processes, manufacturing documentation and work instructions.
• Review and improve manufacturing processes, engineering specifications, tooling, fixtures and production methods.
• Develop efficient production layouts, including cellular manufacturing, flow lines and single-piece flow principles.
• Conduct process analysis and time studies to identify bottlenecks, improve cycle times and balance production operations.
• Work closely with suppliers and internal departments to resolve technical and quality issues and identify cost reduction opportunities.
• Develop effective material flow, stock location and logistics processes, including Kanban systems.
• Promote and maintain high standards of workplace organisation through 5S and Visual Factory principles.
• Support the development and training of employees, encouraging a culture of employee engagement, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Ensure manufacturing processes and facilities operate in accordance with relevant Health & Safety requirements.

We are looking for an experienced Production or Manufacturing Engineer with a strong background in engineering-led manufacturing environments. You will ideally have:

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant industry experience.
• Significant experience within a production or manufacturing engineering environment.
• Strong practical knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Experience implementing process improvements and delivering measurable operational efficiencies.
• Knowledge of Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma and other Lean tools.
• Experience managing engineering projects and coordinating improvement activities.
• Previous experience leading, supervising or developing engineering or production teams.
• A good understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning and engineering change management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, organisation and stakeholder management abilities.
• A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to influence change across a manufacturing operation.

Salary of £49,000 - £54,000 depending on experience. 40-hour working week. Monday to Thursday: 07:30 - 16:30. Friday: 07:30 - 13:30. 25 days annual leave, increasing with service up to 30 days, plus bank holidays. Annual company bonus. 5% contributory pension scheme. Life insurance. Health cover scheme, including dental and optical benefits. Discounted gym memberships and retail discounts. Cycle-to-work scheme. Subsidised refreshments. Free on-site parking, subject to availability. Company workwear and PPE provided. On-site changing facilities.

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options. We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients.