Production Engineering Manager

Production Engineering Manager

Location: Rochester, Kent

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Production Engineering Manager to join a well-established manufacturing business in Rochester. This role is responsible for leading production engineering activities across the site, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring manufacturing processes remain efficient, reliable, and cost-effective.

Working closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Procurement teams, you will lead engineering projects, optimise manufacturing processes, and champion a culture of continuous improvement. You will play a key role in identifying opportunities to increase productivity, reduce waste, improve quality, and support the introduction of new equipment and technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead production engineering and continuous improvement activities across the manufacturing operation.
• Drive lean manufacturing and process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, and productivity.
• Manage engineering projects from concept through to implementation, ensuring delivery on time and within budget.
• Support the introduction of new machinery, equipment, automation, and manufacturing technologies.
• Monitor and improve key operational metrics including productivity, downtime, waste, and manufacturing costs.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Production Engineering team while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Work closely with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability and minimise downtime.
• Support root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to resolve production issues.
• Champion health, safety, quality, and environmental standards throughout engineering activities.
• Contribute to capital investment projects and identify opportunities for long-term operational improvements.

About You

• Previous experience in a Production Engineering Manager, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Continuous Improvement Manager, or similar leadership role.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience delivering engineering, process improvement, and capital investment projects within a production environment.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to develop and motivate teams.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with engineering, production, quality, and maintenance teams.

CV's in word format to be sent to (url removed)

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