Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer / Process Engineer
Location: Preston
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive + Benefits

About the Role

• We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer to join our Value Stream team. This key role is responsible for defining and developing manufacturing and assembly processes that meet internal and external customer requirements, ensuring quality and delivery targets are achieved within budgeted costs.
• You will be a core part of the Value Stream unit, delivering engineering support to ensure the production of quality products—on time and on cost—while driving continuous improvement through structured management and control systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Health, Safety & Environment

• Ensure Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) compliance at all times.
• Promote behavioural safety across the team.
• Identify, manage and eliminate HSE risks within the unit.
• Develop safe systems of work and ensure the provision of appropriate PPE.
• Ensure mandatory HSE training is completed by all team members.
• Introduce opportunities to minimise environmental impact.

Quality

• Ensure compliance with the Quality Management System.
• Develop and maintain robust manufacturing processes aligned with technical definitions.
• Lead preventive and corrective actions, verifying effectiveness.
• Support the introduction of APQP and PFMEA.
• Drive the reduction of non-quality through process improvements.

Cost

• Operate within approved budgets for engineering, indirect costs and consumables.
• Prepare accurate product costings and quotations.
• Monitor and improve productivity across all relevant activities.
• Maintain effective work measurement systems (e.g. MOST).
• Identify and eliminate waste within production processes.

Delivery

• Lead the industrialisation of new products in line with the NPD process.
• Research and develop new manufacturing processes and technologies.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external standards and regulations.
• Develop and support digital manufacturing solutions.
• Monitor process effectiveness using tools such as SPC and OEE.
• Create and maintain programs for automated equipment.
• Manage engineering changes, documentation, BOMs, and work instructions.
• Ensure reliability of plant and equipment; support TPM implementation.
• Provide operational support to maintain OTIF performance targets.
• Lead regular 5S audits and workplace organisation improvements.

People

• Support the implementation of HR policies.
• Identify and develop future skills within the team.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead projects aligned with the value stream's continuous improvement plan.
• Participate in Gemba walks and identify areas for operational enhancement.
• Apply Lean tools such as Standard Work, Kanban, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Encourage employee engagement in improvement initiatives.
• Drive and support strategic projects that align with company goals.
• Leadership
• Lead project meetings and ensure delivery against timelines and budgets.
• Promote a "One Team" culture within the business unit.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Quality teams to drive robust plans.
• Maintain strong stakeholder relationships and ensure effective change communication.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Data and Reporting
• Manage project performance and reporting to agreed milestones.
• Monitor and analyse metrics, identifying root causes of underperformance.
• Create and execute recovery plans where necessary.
• Safeguard the accuracy and integrity of all master data.

About You:

To succeed in this role, you will need to demonstrate the following:

Essential

• Degree, HND, BTEC or Level 5 NVQ in Engineering or related discipline.
• Previous experience in a Manufacturing Engineering role.
• Knowledge of APQP, Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Experience with ISO 9001 Quality Standards.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver KPIs (OTIF, FTG, cost, safety, etc).
• High level of computer literacy including Microsoft Office.
• Experience with ERP systems.
• Prior experience with hand-assembly lines.

Desirable

• Green or Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma.
• CPIM/APICS or working towards certification.
• Experience with SAP or M3 systems.
• CAD proficiency (2D and 3D drawing).

What We Offer:

Competitive salary

25 days holiday plus UK bank holidays

Contributory pension scheme

Sick pay scheme

Staff discounts

And more

If you are passionate about manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement, and you’re ready to make a measurable impact in a dynamic production environment, we would love to hear from you.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.