Lead Production Engineer
Gloucester – Permanent – Full-time – 37 hours, Monday to Friday – Salary £45-55,000
As Lead Production Engineer, you’ll be the go-to person for driving process excellence across manufacturing – tightening up process control, improving flow, and reducing waste across key value streams.
You’ll also play a key role in introducing new products and processes into production, ensuring robust, standardised methods are used so they land safely and efficiently on the shop floor.
The Role:
· Lead and develop the Production/Process Engineering function, including training Quality/Technical teams on APQP and deputising for the Production Engineering Manager.
· Own day-to-day Production Engineering activities for your value stream, including tooling management, SOP creation/maintenance and use of standard PE tools and processes.
· Map, analyse and improve manufacturing processes (VSM, Yamazumi, spaghetti, time studies) to drive flow, reduce waste, cut cost and improve OEE and wider operational performance.
· Work with Manufacturing and Quality Engineering on PFMEAs, Control Plans and process controls, providing hands-on technical support and troubleshooting on process issues.
· Lead PE input into NPI and continuous improvement activity, including root cause analysis, corrective/preventative actions and support for Lean initiatives.
· Support business management systems, procedures, KPIs, audits and compliance with safety, environmental and regulatory requirements, while building strong cross-functional relationships.
The Person:
· Significant process/production engineering experience in a complex manufacturing environment, with a strong focus on mechanical processes such as pressing, CNC machining and assembly.
· Comfortable using core Production Engineering tools: process mapping, Yamazumi, time-study (e.g. MOST), SOP creation, value stream mapping, SPC and spaghetti diagrams.
· Strong analytical and problem-solving ability, able to get to the root cause of complex process issues.
· Able to read and interpret engineering drawings, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
· Working knowledge of process safety, risk assessment and relevant regulatory standards.
· Effective communication and stakeholder skills, able to work well with cross-functional teams.
· Able to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Desirable Skills:
· Background in mentoring or leading process teams
· Hands-on experience with Lean tools such as Jidoka, SMED, 5S, and Single Piece Flow
· Knowledge of project management tools (Microsoft Project, Gantt Charts, Project Charters)
· Other Requirements:
· UK driving licence and flexibility to travel to suppliers or customers on occasion
Why Apply?
· Make a real impact in a role that blends strategic influence with practical delivery
· Join a collaborative, forward-thinking team focused on manufacturing excellence
· Competitive salary and benefits package
· Ongoing professional development and project variety
To apply, send your CV to (url removed) or call George Jackson on (phone number removed) / (phone number removed).
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