Material Process Engineer in Whitstable)

New Appointments Group; Whitstable; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in the UK is seeking a proactive engineer to improve and maintain electroplating and metal finishing processes. You will play a key role in ensuring quality and safety compliance while supporting new process development. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Chemistry, experience in a regulated manufacturing environment, and strong analytical and communication skills. This role offers opportunities for leadership and mentoring.

Qualifications

• Proactive and detail-focused engineer with a strong background in chemistry or material finishing.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment with GMP and GLP exposure.
• Strong knowledge of PFMEA creation and chemical handling.

Responsibilities

• Analyse, maintain and improve electroplating and metal finishing processes.
• Develop PFMEA documentation and provide technical support.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH, environmental and GMP requirements.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Confident communicator

Continuous improvement mindset

Education

Degree in Chemistry or relevant Science discipline

Job description

The Role

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team including chemical analysts, operators and management, you will play a key role in maintaining, analysing and improving plating processes and finishes. You will ensure all processes operate within defined quality, safety and environmental standards, while supporting new process development and ongoing operational excellence.

This role also offers the opportunity to deputise for the Material Finish Engineer and may include leadership and mentoring responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyse, maintain and continuously improve electroplating and metal finishing processes
• Develop and produce PFMEA documentation for NPI and existing processes, including training roll‑out
• Provide shop‑floor technical support, troubleshooting plating issues and revising process instructions
• Oversee chemical analysis, control and replenishment to ensure processes remain within control limits
• Maintain and update work instructions, analytical procedures and quality documentation
• Support investigations into customer returns and implement corrective and preventative actions
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH, environmental and GMP requirements
• Monitor wastewater effluent systems and manage hazardous waste disposal in line with IPPC permits
• Coordinate with maintenance teams to minimise disruption to plating operations
• Support 5S implementation and auditing across the department and laboratory
• Train and mentor team members and support skills matrix updates
• Manage selected subcontracted processes, including cost and timescale negotiation

About You

You will be a proactive and detail‑focused engineer with a strong technical background in chemistry or material finishing, comfortable working in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Essential / Desirable Skills & Experience

• Degree in Chemistry or a relevant Science discipline (ideally with electroplating/material finishes focus)
• Experience in a manufacturing environment with GMP and GLP exposure
• Strong knowledge of PFMEA creation, process mapping and documentation
• Practical understanding of chemical handling, analysis and control
• Solid Health & Safety knowledge, particularly COSHH and chemical risk management
• Confident communicator able to train, mentor and support colleagues
• Continuous improvement mindset with strong analytical skills

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment in line with the Equality Act 2010. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.