Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Role Overview

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for driving manufacturing excellence, strategic capacity planning, industrialisation, and technology development within a complex production environment.

This position plays a key role in ensuring that manufacturing capabilities are aligned with business growth objectives, enabling the organisation to deliver high-quality products efficiently, reliably, and cost-effectively.

The role combines strategic planning, operational execution, and technical leadership, with a strong focus on continuous improvement, process innovation, CAPEX management, and the development of high-performing engineering teams.

Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Planning & Capacity Management

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  Develop and execute strategic capacity plans to support business growth and future sales demand

  
  


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  Define and manage CAPEX investment plans across manufacturing operations

  
  


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  Ensure optimal utilisation of production resources while maintaining sufficient flexibility for future demand

  
  


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  Lead budget planning and oversee the effective execution of capital investments

  
  


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  Identify capacity constraints and develop appropriate technical and operational solutions

  
  

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

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  Drive Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles across the manufacturing environment

  
  


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  Define, monitor, and continuously improve KPIs related to productivity, quality, efficiency, cost, and operational performance

  
  


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  Lead cost-reduction, scrap-reduction, yield-improvement, and process-optimisation initiatives

  
  


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  Promote a strong culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence

  
  


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  Identify opportunities to increase manufacturing efficiency and overall equipment effectiveness

  
  

Process Development & Industrialisation

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  Lead the development and industrialisation of new manufacturing processes supporting new product introductions (NPI) and product launches

  
  


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  Define and implement robust manufacturing processes, equipment concepts, and production technologies

  
  


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  Ensure manufacturing readiness and scalability for new products

  
  


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  Contribute to long-term manufacturing technology roadmaps and process innovation

  
  


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  Ensure effective transition from product development into serial production

  
  

Engineering Leadership

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  Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary engineering organisation, including process, mechanical and electrical engineers, as well as technical specialists

  
  


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  Provide technical leadership in resolving complex manufacturing and engineering challenges

  
  


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  Establish clear priorities, responsibilities, and performance expectations across the team

  
  


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  Build engineering capability and support the professional development of team members

  
  


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  Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and engineering excellence

  
  

Equipment & Technology Management

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  Oversee the design, development, implementation, and optimisation of manufacturing equipment

  
  


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  Drive improvements in overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), reliability, productivity, and process capability

  
  


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  Evaluate and introduce new equipment and manufacturing technologies according to operational and business requirements

  
  


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  Support internal machine, tooling, and automation development based on engineering requirements

  
  


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  Identify opportunities for increased automation and manufacturing efficiency

  
  

Project & Programme Management

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  Lead complex CAPEX projects and manufacturing transformation initiatives from concept through implementation

  
  


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  Manage international projects, including production transfers, localisation, and manufacturing footprint initiatives

  
  


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  Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and according to defined technical and business objectives

  
  


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  Manage project risks, resources, timelines, and stakeholder expectations

  
  


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  Coordinate multidisciplinary and cross-functional project teams

  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

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  Partner closely with R&D, Product Management, Purchasing, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Operations

  
  


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  Ensure manufacturability and industrialisation requirements are considered during product development

  
  


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  Provide technical expertise during supplier evaluation and sourcing activities

  
  


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  Support make-or-buy decisions and manufacturing strategy development

  
  


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  Act as a key interface between engineering and operational functions

  
  

Compliance, Safety & Reliability

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  Ensure manufacturing processes and equipment comply with applicable environmental, health, safety, and ergonomic standards

  
  


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  Support equipment reliability and maintenance strategies, including critical spare-parts planning

  
  


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  Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, engineering standards, and process documentation

  
  


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  Promote a strong safety culture across engineering and manufacturing activities

  
  

Technology Scouting & Innovation

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  Monitor manufacturing and industry trends to identify emerging technologies and best practices

  
  


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  Evaluate and introduce technologies that improve productivity, quality, automation, sustainability, and cost efficiency

  
  


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  Drive innovation within manufacturing processes and equipment

  
  


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  Contribute to the long-term technology and manufacturing strategy of the organisation

  
  

Qualifications & ExperienceEducation

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  Master’s degree, Diploma, or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline

  
  

Professional Experience

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  Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in manufacturing engineering, industrialisation, production engineering, or a related field

  
  


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  Significant leadership experience within a complex manufacturing environment

  
  


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  Proven track record of managing and developing multidisciplinary engineering teams

  
  


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  Strong experience in strategic capacity planning and CAPEX management

  
  


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  Demonstrated experience leading industrialisation and new product introduction projects

  
  


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  Experience managing complex international projects, including production transfers and localisation initiatives

  
  


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  Strong exposure to highly engineered manufacturing environments

  
  

Technical Skills & Competencies

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  Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Six Sigma methodologies

  
  


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  Extensive experience in manufacturing process development and optimisation

  
  


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  Strong understanding of manufacturing equipment design, automation, process capability, and OEE improvement

  
  


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  Proven experience managing CAPEX and industrialisation programmes

  
  


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  Experience with CAD, Pro/ENGINEER, or comparable engineering tools

  
  


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  Strong understanding of manufacturing economics, cost optimisation, and investment planning

  
  


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  Ability to translate business requirements into effective manufacturing and engineering strategies

  
  

Leadership Competencies

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  Strategic thinking and sound decision-making

  
  


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  Strong people leadership and team development

  
  


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  Project and programme management

  
  


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  Structured problem-solving and analytical thinking

  
  


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  Commercial and operational awareness

  
  


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  Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

  
  


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  Ability to operate effectively in an international and cross-functional environment

  
  


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  High degree of ownership and accountability

  
  


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  Adaptability, curiosity, and an innovation-driven mindset

  
  

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Manager to take ownership of a broad and strategically important engineering function within an international industrial environment.

The position offers significant scope to influence manufacturing strategy, technology investment, operational performance, industrialisation, and the development of engineering capabilities, while leading complex initiatives with both local and international impact.