At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a technical team, drive product development, and ensure quality compliance.
- Company: Respected supplier of industrial and workshop equipment with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: £50,000 salary, bonus opportunities, 25 days holiday, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in engineering and product development while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Strong mechanical background and experience in managing technical teams.
Are you a hands-on technical professional with a passion for engineering, product development and leading teams? We're recruiting on behalf of a well-established and highly respected supplier of industrial and workshop equipment, seeking an experienced Technical Manager to lead a growing technical function and play a key role in shaping the future of its product portfolio. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong mechanical mindset who enjoys solving problems, developing products, working with suppliers, and leading people. Whether your background is in machinery, automotive, agricultural equipment, compressed air systems, welding equipment, manufacturing or a similar engineering environment, this role offers the chance to make a genuine impact.
Why This Opportunity? The business has a long-standing reputation within its sector and supplies products to major customers across the UK and Ireland. Following the departure of the current Technical Manager, who is moving into a specialist laboratory leadership role, the company is looking for an individual who can build upon the strong foundations already in place and continue driving technical excellence across the business. You'll be joining a collaborative and experienced team, working alongside a highly knowledgeable senior technical leader who remains within the business and will provide support during the transition period.
The Role Reporting to the Head of Commercial, you'll lead a Technical Team of four, including dedicated Quality Assurance and Product Development specialists. This is a varied role combining technical leadership, new product development, compliance management, supplier engagement, quality improvement and customer support. The business sources products globally and works closely with manufacturing partners to develop, test and launch products for the UK and Irish markets. You'll take ownership of ensuring products are fit for purpose, compliant with relevant legislation and continuously improved through data-driven quality initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Technical Team.
- Manage all technical activities associated with New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD).
- Oversee product testing, validation and technical approval processes.
- Drive continuous quality improvement through analysis of product performance, warranty claims and customer feedback.
- Investigate technical and quality issues, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
- Work closely with international suppliers and manufacturing partners to improve product quality and performance.
- Attend and contribute to regular NPD project meetings.
- Review and maintain product compliance documentation, ensuring conformity with relevant standards and legislation.
- Monitor changes to industry regulations and standards, ensuring products remain fully compliant.
- Support service engineers, customer service teams and technical support functions with complex technical enquiries.
- Manage technical documentation, instruction manuals, technical specifications and product literature.
- Lead Health & Safety activities, including risk assessments and Safe Systems of Work.
- Ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems.
- Visit suppliers, customers and industry exhibitions within the UK and overseas when required.
About You
We're looking for a technically capable leader who enjoys being involved in the detail and isn't afraid to get hands-on when needed.
You may currently be working as a:
- Technical Manager
- Engineering Manager
- Product Development Manager
- Senior Product Development Engineer
- Quality & Technical Manager
- Senior Technical Engineer ready to step into leadership
You'll ideally bring:
- A strong mechanical or electro-mechanical background.
- Experience within sectors such as machinery, automotive, agricultural equipment, workshop equipment, welding, compressed air systems, manufacturing or similar.
- Proven experience managing or mentoring technical teams.
- Knowledge of product development and product lifecycle management.
- Experience working with suppliers and manufacturers.
- Understanding of quality assurance and continuous improvement processes.
- Familiarity with CE marking, product compliance, certification or related standards (training can be provided for the right candidate).
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- A practical, hands-on approach and genuine interest in engineering products.
We're particularly interested in speaking with candidates who have a natural curiosity for how products work. Previous successful Technical Managers have shared a genuine enthusiasm for engineering, whether through their professional background, automotive interests, restoration projects, machinery, fabrication, or practical DIY pursuits.
Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week. Flexible start times available between 8:00am and 9:00am, with some early-morning supplier communication required due to international manufacturing partnerships. If you're an experienced technical professional looking for a leadership role where you can combine engineering expertise, product development, compliance and team management, we'd love to hear from you.
Technical Manager in Loughborough employer: SF Partners
Join a well-established supplier of industrial and workshop equipment as a Technical Manager, where you'll lead a dedicated team in a collaborative environment that values engineering excellence. With a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and opportunities for professional growth, this role offers the chance to make a significant impact on product development while working closely with experienced leaders and international partners. The company's strong reputation in the UK and Ireland ensures a stable and rewarding career path for those passionate about engineering and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Manager in Loughborough
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Technical Manager role you’re after at SF Partners.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at SF Partners a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at SF Partners.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Technical Manager at SF Partners, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Manager in Loughborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Technical Manager, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at SF Partners a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to SF Partners specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at SF Partners
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with SF Partners, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like SF Partners want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
