Role:Manufacturing Engineer- SAP S/4HANA
Location: West Midlands
Scope: Outside of IR35
Flexibility: Hybrid working after 8 weeks
Reports to: Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Role Purpose
As our SAP S/4HANA subject matter expert, you’ll play a key role in bridging Manufacturing Engineering with our new ERP platform. You’ll provide technical knowledge and guidance across the full manufacturing lifecycle – from design through to production – feeding in DFM insights, introducing new technologies, and ensuring best practice. Alongside this, you’ll drive process improvements by building business cases for investment, boosting productivity, efficiency, and quality, while eliminating waste and increasing visibility of operations.
Key Activities
* Act as the Manufacturing Engineering Key User during SAP S/4HANA implementation, ensuring business needs are captured in design, testing, and deployment.
* Build strong expertise in SAP S/4HANA modules such as Material Master, Production Planning (PP), Production Execution, and Manufacturing Data Management.
* Set up and maintain core manufacturing data, including Material Masters, BOMs, Routings, Work Centres, and Production Versions.
* Lead and support User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for manufacturing transactions and shop floor processes.
* Work with ERP project teams, consultants, and stakeholders to map processes into S/4HANA, identifying gaps and solutions.
* Train and support engineers and shop floor staff, becoming the go-to SAP expert for the team.
* Provide first-line troubleshooting and support for manufacturing-related system issues post go-live.
* Drive continuous improvement by leveraging S/4HANA functionality to optimise planning, scheduling, and production execution.
* Maintain master data integrity to ensure accuracy, cost control, and traceability in a nuclear environment.
* Ensure all manufacturing documentation, instructions, and procedures align with SAP and digital ways of working.
* Define and instruct the most efficient manufacturing methods for components and assemblies, ensuring safety and quality.
* Identify and document waste and non-value-adding activities, and lead initiatives to eliminate or reduce them.
* Raise and resolve Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), using structured problem-solving tools such as 5 Whys, DMAIC, and root cause analysis.
Essential role related knowledge, technical skills, qualifications and experience
* Extensive hands-on experience with SAP S/4HANA (manufacturing focus).
* Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and how they translate into ERP workflows.
* Proven ability to act as a bridge between ERP specialists and shop floor operations.
* Data-driven mindset with high attention to accuracy, structure, and compliance.
* Minimum 5 years’ industrial experience in a manufacturing role.
* Graduate calibre (degree or equivalent experience).
* Practical knowledge of at least two of the following:
* Machining
* Mechanical assembly
* Welding
* Electronic / Electrical assembly
* Strong communication skills, able to give clear written and verbal instructions at all levels.
* Organised and methodical, able to review designs and advise on manufacturability.
* Cost- and time-focused approach with a right-first-time mindset.
Person Specification
* Focuses on the customer- Works co-operatively with customers and stakeholders (internal and external) in order to meet and exceed their expectations
* Focuses on safety – Have a safety conscious attitude to their self and others
* Focuses on quality – Be able to understand and deliver to the relevant quality standards on work produced.
* Focuses on cost - To be able to reduce manufacturing costs through contributing to design development and choosing the most cost effective process
* Collaborates and Shares Knowledge- Seeks to create collective success through teamwork, knowledge sharing and mutual support
* Delivers Results/ Focuses on Solution - Plans what needs to be delivered and then focuses on making it happen
* Build Teams - Brings together the right people, in the right place at the right time to deliver business objectives
* Adapts to change - Is able to respond positively to individual or organisational change
* Acts with Integrity and Professionalism - Demonstrates trust and integrity in their day to day working
* Holds Self & Others to Account - Sets clear performance objectives for self and others, monitoring progress and taking appropriate action to ensure delivery
* Has a Global Approach - Has a flexible approach to different situations, promoting information flow and integration with all corporate units. Works in international environments through adaption and cross-cultural management and integration
* People Development - Empower and allow people to develop themselves within their own professional job family and within a multi-disciplinary environment. Identifying learning needs and formulating consistent development plans
* Positive Attitude