Operational Excellence and Engineering Manager
South Wales | Permanent | £45,000 – £50,000
We’re working with a forward-thinking manufacturing site in South Wales to find a skilled Operational Excellence and Engineering Manager. This leadership role is perfect for someone who thrives on improving processes, solving technical challenges, and making a real impact on operational performance. If you're passionate about continuous improvement and want to take ownership of engineering functions within a high-performing environment, this could be the ideal next step.
About the Role
In this varied and hands-on position, you’ll lead initiatives to improve efficiency, reliability, and safety across the site. Reporting to the Factory Manager, you'll oversee proactive maintenance planning, rapid fault resolution, and compliance with industry standards and internal processes. You’ll also mentor a small technical team and collaborate with key stakeholders across production, quality, and HSE to ensure smooth and safe operations.
What You’ll Be Doing
Leading the site’s continuous improvement strategy using Lean and Six Sigma tools
Overseeing and optimising preventative and corrective maintenance plans
Managing site facilities and responding to urgent breakdowns (approx. 20%)
Coaching technicians in first-line maintenance and root cause analysis
Ensuring compliance with standards such as ISO9001, ISO45001, ISO14001, and HACCP
Supporting internal and external audits and driving action plans
Leading engineering projects and identifying opportunities for upgrades or investment
Promoting a 5S and safety-first culture throughout the site
What We’re Looking For
Time-served engineer or qualified to HNC/HND/Degree level in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering
Strong background in continuous improvement and lean methodologies
Hands-on experience in maintenance within a regulated manufacturing environment
Confident with PPM systems, Lockout/Tagout, risk assessments, and engineering change control
Experience coaching others and contributing to audits and compliance frameworks
Calm under pressure, with a proactive, structured approach to solving problems
Salary, Location & Benefits
Salary: £45,000 – £50,000
Location: South Wales (on-site)
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Benefits: Competitive package with development opportunities (please confirm or add specifics)
Ready to Apply?
If you're a practical leader with a drive for excellence and a background in engineering and process improvement, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to explore this opportunity further or get in touch for a confidential discussion