Engineering Manager in Aberdare

Kingscroft Professional Resources; Aberdare; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kingscroft Professional Resources is seeking an Engineering Manager for a specialist high-volume manufacturing business in the UK. You will lead engineering support for moulding, tooling, NPI, and Lean initiatives while driving reliability and productivity improvements.

The role requires strong leadership, hands-on experience with process improvement and PPAP documentation. The company offers investment in technology, growth opportunities, and a collaborative working environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum experience leading engineering teams in high-volume manufacturing.
• Experience with NPI, PPAP, and process capability improvements.
• Proven track record in reducing cycle times and scrap.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering efforts for moulding, extrusion, and curing operations.
• Own tooling lifecycle, preventive maintenance, and obsolescence planning.
• Drive Lean Kaizen events and 6S across facilities.
• Coordinate cross-functional NPI teams from concept to production.
• Ensure process validation and technical documentation are completed.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

NPI Management

Process Improvement

Tools

Mould tooling

Tooling maintenance

Process validation

Job description

Are you an Engineering Manager looking for a new role Are you skilled in managing engineering projects , process improvement and product introduction in a high volume manufacturing environment Are you an Engineering Manager looking for a role in a well-positioned , well invested and ambitious company

Kingscroft have been engaged to recruit for an Engineering Manager for a specialist high volume manufacturing business. As the ideal candidate you will be highly skilled in the mechanics of manufacturing with the skills ranging from leading the Toolroom to process improvement. You will be confident driving reliability , NPI , OEE and engineering based continuous improvement.

Experience in plastics , rubbers or foams would be ideal but relevant experience in faced paced high volume production processes and equipment is key.

Engineering Leadership

• Lead engineering support for moulding, extrusion, lathe cutting, press punching , trimming, and curing operations.
• Own process capability, engineering standards, and technical governance across all material processing activities.
• Drive improvements in cycle time, scrap reduction, dimensional stability, and product consistency.
• Oversee technical problem solving using structured methodologies (5 Why, Ishikawa, DMAIC).

Tool Room Management Control

• Lead and manage the Tool Room Department, ensuring effective planning, prioritisation, and delivery of tooling requirements.
• Oversee design, manufacture, repair, and optimisation of moulds, dies, cutting tools, fixtures, and formers.
• Implement tooling lifecycle management, including preventive maintenance, refurbishment schedules, and obsolescence planning.
• Ensure tooling accuracy, reliability, and readiness to support both production and NPI activities.
• Maintain a high precision, safe, and well organised tool room environment.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Lead NPI activities from concept through to full production release.
• Translate customer specifications into robust manufacturing processes and tooling solutions.
• Coordinate cross functional NPI teams (engineering, tool room, production, quality, supply chain).
• Oversee prototype tooling, mould trials, compound trials, and process validation.
• Ensure PPAP, FAIR, and technical documentation are completed to required standards.
• Deliver NPI projects on time, within budget, and to quality expectations.

Lean Manufacturing Kaizen

• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles across rubber processing and tooling operations.
• Lead Kaizen events focused on waste elimination, flow improvement, and productivity gains.
• Implement 6S, SMED, visual management, standard work, and oeE improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain continuous improvement roadmaps aligned to business objectives.
• Train and coach teams in Lean tools and problem solving techniques.

  Process Tooling Integration

  • Ensure tooling designs support process capability, compound behaviour, and machine performance.
  • Collaborate with toolmakers and process engineers to optimise mould flow, cutting, punching / cutting, venting, curing, and dimensional stability.
  • Resolve complex tooling related production issues through structured root cause analysis.
  • Support trials for new compounds, tooling designs, and process changes.

  This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key part in a manufacturing engineering team that is vital to the success of the business.