At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering operations and implement lean manufacturing techniques in a cocoa bean process plant.
- Company: Join a dynamic manufacturing team focused on operational excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming maintenance strategies and improving plant efficiency.
- Qualifications: Experience in engineering leadership and lean manufacturing; food industry experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
- Order
- Position Title: Engineering Lead - Cocoa Bean Process Plant
- Duration: Contract
About the Role
- Our Client 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 (Cap Ex) 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 ensure engineering readiness at all times.
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.
Desirable Qualifications
- Degree (or equivalent) in related Engineering field
- Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt).
- Experience with predictive maintenance technologies (vibration analysis, thermography, ultrasonic testing).
- Familiarity with Industry 4.0 concepts, including Io T-enabled monitoring and data-driven decision-making.
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Engineering Lead - Cocoa Bean Process Plant in Chirk employer: Sumitomo Electric
Contechs is an exceptional employer for those seeking to advance their careers in automotive engineering, particularly in the dynamic role of Chassis Braking Systems Project Engineer. With a strong focus on employee support through an in-house Contractor Care Team, Contechs fosters a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and professional growth. Located in the vibrant areas of Oxford and Surrey, employees benefit from a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while engaging in cutting-edge projects within a leading high-performance automotive OEM.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Lead - Cocoa Bean Process Plant in Chirk
✨Get Hands-On with Temporary Projects
Temporary roles are all about flexibility and quick results. Look for short-term engineering projects or gigs that local companies might need help with. You can find these on job boards like Indeed or even niche platforms like PeoplePerHour. Don't be shy to reach out directly to firms—sometimes they have needs that aren't posted yet!
✨Tap into Engineering Meetups
Networking is key in engineering, especially for temporary positions. Check out local engineering meetups or hackathons relevant to your interests. Engaging with peers can lead to leads on temporary roles. Plus, it’s a sweet way to showcase your skills and passion in person—who knows who might be hiring at one of these events?
✨Leverage Your Connections
Let your friends and family know you're on the hunt for a temporary engineering role. Often, personal recommendations can get you in the door faster than any application. Share your goals and what you’re looking for through social media or casual conversations; you’d be surprised how many people might have the right connections!
✨Stay Sharp with Online Courses
While you're searching, keep those skills fresh! Take on some online courses related to your engineering field. Platforms like Coursera or edX can help you stay current and even get some certifications under your belt. This shows potential employers at Sumitomo Electric that you’re committed to growth, making you a more appealing candidate for temporary roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Lead - Cocoa Bean Process Plant in Chirk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Versatile Engineering Skills:For a temporary engineering role like this one at Sumitomo Electric, make sure to showcase a broad range of your engineering skills. Talk about different projects you’ve undertaken, focusing on your problem-solving ability and adaptability—key traits for temporary positions that depend on quick integration into teams.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a temporary role, clarity is essential. In your cover letter, be upfront about your availability and how soon you can start. Employers like Sumitomo Electric want to know that you can hit the ground running, so don’t shy away from mentioning your flexibility!
Tailor Your CV to Showcase Relevant Experience:Make sure your CV is tailored to reflect the specific engineering projects relevant to the job. For instance, if you’ve worked on temporary contracts before or have engaged in diverse engineering processes, highlight these experiences to show how well-rounded you are.
Include References from Past Employers:Temporary positions often require trust and reliability. Adding references from previous employers can significantly boost your application. It shows that you have a strong work ethic and can adapt quickly, which is exactly what Sumitomo Electric will be looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sumitomo Electric
✨Get to Grips with Your Technical Skills
Engineering roles often involve assessing your technical expertise, so be prepared to delve into your core skills. Brush up on relevant software and tools you’ve used before, as well as any engineering principles that relate to the position at Sumitomo Electric. We want you to showcase your hands-on experience and problem-solving capabilities – it could be the difference between you and another candidate!
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some practical scenarios during the interview. Whether it's a design challenge or a troubleshooting test, Sumitomo Electric might want to see how you approach real-world engineering problems. Think of specific examples from your past work where you had to think on your feet and be ready to walk your interviewers through your thought process.
✨Show Your Adaptability in Temporary Roles
Since this is a temporary position, it’s key to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to hit the ground running. Make sure to convey your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly to the team and the specific projects at Sumitomo Electric. We all know that temporary roles can be a bit of a whirlwind, so emphasise your quick learning skills and your approach to managing change.
✨Highlight Relevant Portfolio Projects
If you've worked on engineering projects that align with the role at Sumitomo Electric, make sure to bring them up! A portfolio can be a great way to illustrate your engineering prowess. Discuss the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved – this will give the interviewers a tangible idea of what you bring to the table.
