Applications Manager: Tooling & Process Optimisation

Mansell Recruitment Group; Coventry; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mansell Recruitment Group is seeking an experienced Applications Manager to lead a customer-facing technical engineering team, driving effective support, tooling solutions and measurable manufacturing improvements.

You will manage Application Engineers, guide tooling selection and process optimization while overseeing on-site support and technical troubleshooting to enhance customers' manufacturing performance.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in an Applications Manager, Applications Engineering Manager or similar technical leadership role.
• Strong background in cutting-tool applications, CNC machining, or machining process optimisation.
• Proven experience leading, coaching, or managing technical engineers.
• Good understanding of tooling selection, cutting data, and the practical application of cutting tools.
• Experience providing technical support directly to customers within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop practical engineering solutions.
• Evidence of delivering improvements in tool life, cycle times, process reliability or manufacturing costs.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with customers and internal teams.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance technical performance with customer requirements and business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop a team of Application Engineers, providing technical guidance, coaching and support.
• Provide customers with technical advice on tooling selection, cutting data and machining applications.
• Support customers with process optimisation, toolpath improvements and troubleshooting.
• Oversee on-site customer visits and provide technical support to resolve machining and manufacturing challenges.
• Ensure proposed tooling solutions are technically suitable, practical and commercially viable.
• Work closely with Sales, Engineering, Design and Production teams to develop effective customer solutions.
• Support the preparation and review of technical proposals, tooling packages and turnkey projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve tool life, cycle times, process reliability and overall cost per part.
• Monitor the effectiveness of applications support and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, applications guidance and best-practice information.
• Build strong relationships with customers, understanding their requirements and helping them achieve improved manufacturing performance.
• Share technical knowledge across the team and support the development of internal expertise.
• Use customer feedback and technical performance data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cutting data

CNC machining

Tooling applications

Customer engagement

Coaching/mentoring

Problem solving

Communication

Commercial awareness

Job description

Mansell Recruitment Group is seeking an experienced Applications Manager to lead a customer-facing technical engineering team, driving effective support, tooling solutions and measurable manufacturing improvements.

You will manage Application Engineers, guide tooling selection and process optimization while overseeing on-site support and technical troubleshooting to enhance customers' manufacturing performance.