Duration: 6-month FTC, potential to extend or move to permanent position
Hourly rate: £39.10 - £48.87 p/h INSIDE IR35 (Via Umbrella Solutions)
Hours: 36 hours per week
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and driven Engineering Lead to oversee all engineering operations within our manufacturing process plant.
This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving operational excellence, implementing lean manufacturing techniques, and transforming our maintenance strategy from a reactive model to a robust preventative and predictive maintenance programme.
The successful candidate will lead a multidisciplinary engineering team and play a central role in improving plant reliability, efficiency, and safety.
Key Responsibilities
Engineering Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of engineers, technicians, and maintenance professionals across mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation disciplines.
- Set clear performance objectives, conduct regular reviews, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
- Manage resource planning, shift coverage, and skills development to ensure optimal team capability.
- Act as the senior technical authority on-site, providing guidance on complex engineering challenges.
Lean Manufacturing Implementation
- Champion the adoption and embedding of lean manufacturing principles across all engineering and maintenance activities.
- Lead the implementation of lean tools and methodologies including 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, SMED, TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
- Identify and eliminate waste in engineering processes, reducing downtime, material costs, and inefficiencies.
- Establish and track KPIs aligned with lean objectives: GE (Global Efficiency inc OEE), MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures), and MTTR (Mean Time to Repair).
- Facilitate cross-functional workshops and training sessions to build lean capability across the wider plant team.
Reactive to Preventative Maintenance Transformation
- Develop and execute the strategic roadmap to transition the plant from reactive maintenance model to a structured preventative and predictive maintenance programme.
- Continue to implement a Computerised Maintenance Management System (SAP) to schedule, track, and optimise all maintenance activities.
- Develop condition-based monitoring techniques (e.g., vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis) to predict equipment failures before they occur.
- Establish preventative maintenance schedules for all critical assets based on manufacturer recommendations, historical failure data, and risk assessments.
- Target a measurable reduction in unplanned downtime (e.g., 30-50% reduction within the first 18 months).
- Build a culture where maintenance is viewed as a value-adding function rather than a cost centre.
Plant Reliability & Continuous Improvement
- Own the plant's asset management strategy, ensuring long-term reliability and lifecycle cost optimisation.
- Lead failure investigations and root cause analyses for significant breakdowns, implementing corrective and preventive actions.
- Drive capital expenditure (CapEx) projects for equipment upgrades, replacements, and process improvements.
- Collaborate with Production, Quality, Health & Safety, and Supply Chain teams to align engineering priorities with business objectives.
Compliance, Safety & Standards
- Ensure all engineering activities comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations and industry standards.
- Maintain up-to-date documentation including P&IDs, SOPs, risk assessments, and equipment records.
- Support internal and external audits and always ensure engineering readiness.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- A high level of experience in an engineering or maintenance leadership role within a manufacturing or process plant environment. Food industry experience is advantageous but not essential
- Proven track record of implementing lean manufacturing techniques (e.g., TPM, 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping).
- Demonstrated experience in transitioning maintenance strategies from reactive to preventative/predictive models.
- Strong knowledge of CMMS platforms (ideally., SAP).
- Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams in a 24/7 operational environment.
- Solid understanding of health and safety legislation and regulatory compliance in a manufacturing setting.
We will process your CV and personal information to assess your suitability for the role. If we wish to consider you further, we will register your personal information in our database and contact you. We may contact you from time to time about other relevant roles. Your personal information will be securely held. For more information please refer to our privacy notice, a copy of which can be found on our website. - Select Engineering Limited
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Engineering Manufacturing Lead - Cocoa Bean Process Plant employer: Select Engineering
As a Nutrition Strategy & Communications Manager, you will thrive in a dynamic work environment that champions innovation and collaboration across various functional groups. Our company prioritises employee growth through comprehensive nutrition education programs and offers a supportive culture that values your expertise in the food industry. Located in the UK, we provide a unique opportunity to influence health and well-being strategies while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to making a positive impact on consumer nutrition.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Manufacturing Lead - Cocoa Bean Process Plant
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Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Select Engineering specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Select Engineering
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Select Engineering, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
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Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Select Engineering value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
