Surface Mount Manager in Clacton-on-Sea

The Pickering Group Ltd is a multinational group of electronics manufacturers headquartered in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, UK, with worldwide operations. The Group comprises three companies: Pickering Electronics, which manufactures reed relays; Pickering Interfaces, which produces switching systems; and Pickering Connect, which supplies supporting cables and connectors. Pickering employs about 600 people across two manufacturing facilities in the UK and the Czech Republic, along with over nine direct sales and support offices throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. All three companies are known for delivering innovative, high-quality products for the test and measurement industry—a sector experiencing significant growth driven by rapid technological advancement, increasing global regulation, and the rising complexity of electronic products.

What You Can Expect as a Surface Mount Manager:

To manage the day-to-day operations of the UK based SMT department. The Two lines produce a varied range of multilayer, double sided, mixed technology printed circuit assemblies, with a portfolio of products of over 4000, often on very tight time scales. The department supports the demands of two Production departments, NPI department (New Product Introduction) and uWave department.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be responsible for all surface mount manufacturing processes at our UK site.
• Be responsible for programming, set‐up, operation, and adjustment of all SMT equipment.
• Ensure all Programs within the manufacturing system are accurate and up to date.
• Regular use of MRP system for costing & stock adjustment.
• Provide regular status updates to the Production manager and department managers.
• Ensure KPI's and metrics are understood and met, providing regular reports to relevant departmental managers.
• Maintain and introduce new processes & procedures for the continuous improvement of the SMT department.
• Interpret documentation such as Bill of Materials, Drawings and CAD based software.
• Train Operators & Technicians in all aspects of the SMT process.
• Liaise with the development team to ensure design for "SMT" manufacture is considered and implemented.
• Work closely with the Czech Republic SMT manager to ensure that both factories' processes & procedures align.
• Work closely with the production manager to ensure all staff & equipment requirements are fully understood and actioned appropriately.

Leadership:

• Lead, coach, Mentor and develop a team of four SMT technicians.
• Allocate workload, set priorities, and ensure timely delivery of product to production departments.
• Implement best practices through continuous improvement, efficiency, accuracy.
• Monitor team performance and provide ongoing feedback and support.

Policy, Compliance & Governance:

• Ensure policies comply with legal requirements.
• Support internal/external audits and maintain clear documentation.
• Assist with updating policies and procedures while ensuring they align with Pickering's people-first ethos.

Process Improvement & Projects:

• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and enhance service delivery.
• Lead or contribute projects such as system upgrades, automation initiatives, and workflow redesigns.
• Drive continuous improvement within the SMT Department.
• Ensure improvements enhance — not diminish — the supportive culture of the Pickering.

Performance Management:

• Administration and coordination of performance review cycles.
• Provide guidance to employees on performance procedures.
• Track completion rates and ensure consistency across team.
• Identify process improvements to strengthen performance & culture.

Training & Development:

• Support in the administration and scheduling of training and learning programmes.
• Maintain training records and track completion rates.

Experience:

• Minimum BTEC level 3 / A Levels in engineering discipline, ideally with a high electronic content.
• Minimum of 5 to 7 years' experience working within an SMT department.
• Management experience and managing production departments.
• Hands on experience of the day to day running of pick and place and all other peripheral equipment with an SMT environment.
• Innovative and imaginative mind set.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Highly motivated with good leadership skills.
• Excellent management, team and people skills and must be able to lead by example.
• Lean manufacturing, kaizen and 5s knowledge preferred.
• IPC610, 7711/21 & J-standard knowledge preferred.
• Ability to interact with all levels (to director level).

Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge of SMT pick and place equipment.
• Full knowledge of solder pastes, Screen printing and stencil design.
• Excellent data accuracy, analytical skills, and documentation practices.
• Full knowledge of the thermal processes, Including oven profiling.
• Experience of PPM procedures and repair of machinery.
• Experience of Rework and Repair on both PTH & SMT assemblies.
• Experience as RPS and working with x‐ray generating equipment and knowledge of IRR2015.

Soft Skills:

• Genuine commitment to a family-oriented, people-first workplace culture, ensuring empathy and respect in all employee interactions.
• Strong leadership and coaching capabilities.
• Balanced decision-making that considers people, culture, and operational needs.
• Continuous-improvement mindset and strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

What You Can Expect from Pickering:

People are at the heart of Pickering. We believe that each employee contributes directly to Pickering's growth and success, in return we offer:

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Buying and selling holiday. Employees can buy up to 10 days.
• Life Insurance x4 annual salary (Capped at £50k per annum).
• Corporate membership at the local gym and spa.
• A thorough induction program, including a Pickering Pal being assigned to you to ensure you feel welcome and to check in on you during your probation.
• Regular reviews and performance related pay increases (subject to business conditions).
• Employee wellbeing and mental health support through our partnership with MindWellbeing Program with Spa Medical.
• Paid company social events such as a summer festival and Christmas party.
• Training programmes.
• Sponsoring further education.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme.
• Free tea, coffee, and fresh fruit.

This role description is intended to provide a general overview of the role and its responsibilities. It is not exhaustive and may be subject to change to meet the needs of Pickering.