Global Manufacturing Engineering Leader

Profils; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Company performance bonus scheme

Pension scheme - up to 10% employer

Private medical insurance

Comprehensive health cash plan

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Flexible benefits programme

Training and mobility opportunities

Job summary

Safran is seeking an Associate Director - Manufacturing Engineering to lead the ME function across all Actuation Systems plants, developing the long‑term ME vision and aligning with senior leadership and customer expectations.

You will drive operational excellence, sustainability, and innovation by building a high‑performing global ME team, standardizing processes, and adopting Industry 4.0 tools to improve productivity and quality.

Qualifications

• Excellent leadership behaviours.
• Strong strategic and critical thinking capabilities.
• Experience managing change and transformation in manufacturing.
• Proven ability to apply APQP, PPAP, FMEA and continuous improvement methodologies to ensure manufacturing readiness at product launch.
• Comfortable operating in a matrix organization with cross‑functional responsibilities.
• Track record of transformational accomplishments in a manufacturing setting.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Executive presence with ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent), with a Master's Degree Preferred, in a manufacturing engineering discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the global Manufacturing Engineering strategy aligned with overall business objectives and emerging technologies (e.g., Industry 4.0).
• Lead innovation initiatives and continuous improvement efforts to enhance manufacturing capabilities and competitive advantage.
• Ensure Manufacturing Engineering drives measurable business outcomes, including cost efficiency, product quality, and successful product industrialisation from concept to mass production.
• Champion sustainability and compliance with industry regulations and environmental standards.
• Build, lead, and inspire a diverse, high‑performing global ME leadership team and workforce.
• Define and implement talent development, succession planning, and capability-building programs to meet current and future organizational needs.
• Foster an inclusive culture that promotes engagement, accountability, and professional growth across all ME teams worldwide.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional leaders to ensure alignment and integration of ME talent strategies with broader organizational goals.
• Establish, standardize, and continuously improve ME processes, best practices, and policies globally.
• Oversee industrialization programs, manufacturing readiness, and product quality assurance processes (e.g., MRL, APQP, PPAP).
• Drive adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, and digital tools to optimize operations.
• Monitor global ME performance metrics, manage budgets, and ensure resource allocation supports strategic priorities.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, and environmental standards across all manufacturing sites.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Change management

APQP/PPAP/FMEA

Lean Six Sigma

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

APQP

PPAP

FMEA

Job description

Safran is seeking an Associate Director - Manufacturing Engineering to lead the ME function across all Actuation Systems plants, developing the long‑term ME vision and aligning with senior leadership and customer expectations.

You will drive operational excellence, sustainability, and innovation by building a high‑performing global ME team, standardizing processes, and adopting Industry 4.0 tools to improve productivity and quality.