Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Ruth Wagstaff Recruitment; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job description

Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Location: Nottingham

Are you ready to step into a high-impact leadership role within a global engineering and manufacturing business? A business that s investing significantly not only in new technology and increased capacity, but in its people and their development.

With a multi million site-level investment underway to support innovation, new product development and future growth, we re looking for an exceptional Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead and shape a talented engineering function.

This is a newly defined position, reporting directly to the UK Site Leader. You ll be given full ownership of your department with the responsibility and freedom to build capability, develop your team, and deliver against both operational and strategic priorities.

The Role

As Manufacturing Engineering Manager, you ll lead the charge to improve efficiency, introduce lean methodologies, and drive the seamless launch of new products into manufacturing.

Using your technical and analytical expertise, you ll define, develop and implement robust processes that deliver on safety, quality, delivery, and cost while also ensuring your function is equipped to meet the future needs of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and manage a cross-functional team including manufacturing engineers, CNC programmers, automation specialists and process improvement experts

• Champion continuous improvement through TPS tools such as TPM, Kaizen, layout redesign and 6S

• Own and resolve non-conformance issues with a strong focus on root cause analysis and corrective actions

• Drive NPD through the stage gate process to ensure efficient product and material launches

• Partner closely with Quality and Application Engineering to define and maintain process control standards

• Oversee deployment of Industry 4.0 initiatives, automation, and digital transformation projects

• Lead major CAPEX projects from concept to implementation

• Foster technical excellence through coaching, skill development, and personal development planning

Experience & Skills Required

• A degree in Engineering or Manufacturing is essential

• Proven experience in precision engineering, ideally CNC

• A strong track record of technical leadership developing teams in both skills and careers

• A natural upward communicator able to anticipate the information senior leaders need

• Data-driven decision maker confident using facts and analysis to influence outcomes

• A true owner someone who knows their function deeply and is always looking to improve it

Leadership Focus

This is a leadership-led role. We re looking for someone who can:

• Motivate and direct a capable and committed team

• Act as the bridge between manufacturing and application engineering in a matrix environment

• Push back constructively and confidently where needed

• Operate with accountability in a fast-paced, robust environment

• Identify and close skills gaps within the team

• Provide clarity and direction to a technically strong group who are eager to grow

Why This Opportunity?

• You won t need to ask for recognition this is a highly visible role where success is seen

• Be part of a business with a clear strategy, strong leadership and real momentum

• Work for leaders who value substance, not spin facts, delivery and people matter here

• Join a UK site that is winning work from international operations a testament to its culture, quality and technical strength

Ready to find out more?

For a confidential discussion, and to receive more insight into this opportunity, please contact Stuart Cooper or Ruth Forster . A full job specification and employer profile is available upon request.