Manufacturing Lead

EMBS Engineering; Derby; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stability / Longevity

Competitive salary

Structured hours

Job summary

EMBS Engineering Ltd is seeking a Manufacturing Lead in Redditch to oversee internal manufacturing engineering and tool room operations. The role focuses on directing a skilled team, setting priorities, and maintaining production flow in a precision engineering environment.

You will mentor apprentices, partner with engineering heads to remove bottlenecks, and drive continuous improvement across safety, quality, cost and delivery.

Qualifications

• Direct line management experience leading 6+ people.
• Background as senior manufacturing engineer or team leader.
• 2–5 years in manufacturing, preferably in regulated sectors (aerospace, automotive, power generation, or oil & gas).
• Strong communication and analytical abilities with internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage the tool room function, directing new tool designs, retooling tasks, and solving long-standing technical problems on existing components.
• Partner with senior engineering heads to eliminate production bottlenecks and align engineering resources.
• Utilize performance metrics, including right-first-time data and MRB findings, to tackle core operational bottlenecks over reactive daily fixes.
• Guide site apprentices, working with them directly to support their technical development.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on advancing EHS, quality, expense, and delivery targets.
• Draft, update, and maintain robust standard operating procedures, setup guides, and manufacturing documentation.
• Participate in root-cause problem solving along with internal and external audits, establishing corrective actions wherever gaps are identified.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Analytical skills

Apprentice mentoring

Metal fabrication knowledge

Education

Engineering qualification (HNC or equivalent)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Manufacturing Lead

Redditch, Warwickshire

Permanent

Circa £55,000 - £60,000, dependent on experience

Overview

EMBS Engineering Ltd is working in partnership with a leading precision engineering manufacturer, located in Redditch, Warwickshire that is currently in the market for a Manufacturing Lead to join their company on a permanent basis.

This market leader is a well-established entity within the precision engineering industries and boasts a rich history of supporting globally recognised customers with safety-critical, highly complex components. The business crafts intricate fabricated parts for strictly monitored sectors. The position takes charge of internal engineering functions, including tool room activities, to set operational priorities, mentor personnel, and keep production running smoothly. Formed as part of recent business growth, the position offers a defined pathway into senior management, allowing an ambitious individual to transition into high-level operational leadership.

What's in it for you?

• Stability / Longevity: A newly created leadership role featuring a clear route for advancement into senior management positions.
• Competitive salary: Circa £55,000 - £60,000, dependent on experience
• Hours: Days (39 hours per week: Monday to Thursday 07:30-16:30, Friday 07:30-12:30)

Benefits

• Direct participation in mentoring the site's apprentices and early-career talent
• A collaborative environment with meaningful input into operational and manufacturing choices
• Defined opportunities to advance long term within an expanding business

Responsibilities

Due to internal changes and off the back of continued success, our client is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Lead to take ownership of internal manufacturing engineering and tool room operations.

Your responsibilities will include:

As a Manufacturing Lead, you will be responsible for providing daily guidance, allocation of tasks, and leadership to a team made up of toolmakers, subject matter experts, and manufacturing engineers.

You will:

• Manage the tool room function, directing new tool designs, retooling tasks, and solving long-standing technical problems on existing components
• Partner with senior engineering heads to eliminate production bottlenecks and align engineering resources
• Utilize performance metrics, including right-first-time data and MRB findings, to tackle core operational bottlenecks over reactive daily fixes
• Guide site apprentices, working with them directly to support their technical development
• Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on advancing EHS, quality, expense, and delivery targets
• Draft, update, and maintain robust standard operating procedures, setup guides, and manufacturing documentation
• Participate in root-cause problem solving along with internal and external audits, establishing corrective actions wherever gaps are identified

Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate

• A strong drive to progress into higher-level management positions
• Prior direct line management experience, ideally leading groups of six or more people
• Background as a senior manufacturing engineer or team leader, with proven skills in delegating tasks and managing people effectively
• Comprehensive practical understanding of metal fabrication methods, including pressing, sheet metal work, and welding
• Between 2 to 5 years of experience in manufacturing environments, preferably in regulated sectors such as aerospace, automotive, power generation, or oil and gas
• Strong communication and analytical abilities to engage effectively with internal stakeholders on technical issues
• Experience involvement in supporting or developing apprenticeship schemes or early careers schemes

Desirable criteria

• Familiarity with multi-axis CNC machining, laser cutting, or EDM equipment
• Hands-on experience working with ERP platforms
• An engineering qualification such as an HNC or equivalent
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement practices

About us

EMBS is a specialist talent consultancy connecting exceptional engineering and technology professionals with some of the UK's most prestigious advanced engineering businesses across Transportation, Energy and Defence. With deep sector expertise and a strong network of industry-leading employers, we'll provide expert advice and support throughout the process, helping you secure the right opportunity and take the next step in your career.

Please note, due to the nature of the markets our client supplies into, all candidates must be UK residents, we cannot offer visa sponsorship for overseas candidates