Process Manager

ACS Performance Ltd; Letchworth; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ACS Performance Ltd invites an experienced Process Manager to lead vacuum heat treatment operations in a busy manufacturing setting. You will drive process performance, implement improvements, and ensure safety and quality standards are met across production.

The role requires deep knowledge of heat treatment, metallurgy and mechanical engineering, with leadership to coach operators and collaborate with cross-functional teams. On-site role based in Letchworth, England.

Qualifications

• Strong background in heat treatment, metallurgy, materials science, or related discipline.
• Experience in manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of ISO standards, PFMEA, control plans, and root cause analysis.
• Experience with industrial furnaces or vacuum processing systems is advantageous.
• Strong analytical and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage vacuum heat treatment processes and daily production activities.
• Set, monitor, and optimise process parameters to ensure consistent product quality.
• Supervise furnace cycles and support equipment performance and reliability.
• Investigate and resolve process deviations, non-conformances, and quality issues.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and process documentation.
• Provide technical support for customer enquiries and quotation activities.
• Collaborate with production, quality, maintenance, and commercial teams to achieve goals.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing scrap, rework, and process variation.
• Ensure compliance with quality management systems and customer specifications.
• Train, coach, and mentor operators and technicians to support capability development.
• Monitor process performance data and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Promote and maintain a strong culture of health, safety, and environmental compliance.

Skills

Vacuum heat treatment

Metallurgy

Mechanical engineering

Data analysis

Leadership

Problem solving

Quality awareness

Health & safety

Education

Degree in metallurgy or materials science or mechanical engineering

Tools

PFMEA

Control plans

Root cause analysis

ISO standards

Job description

Process Manager - Heat Treatment

Location: Letchworth, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time (On-site)

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Process Manager to lead and optimise vacuum heat treatment operations within a busy manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for ensuring production processes are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards, while supporting continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.

The successful candidate will play a key role in managing day-to-day process performance, driving quality improvements, and supporting cross-functional teams to achieve production objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee vacuum heat treatment processes and daily production activities.


• Set, monitor, and optimise process parameters to ensure consistent product quality.


• Supervise furnace cycles and support equipment performance and reliability.


• Investigate and resolve process deviations, non-conformances, and quality issues.


• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, work instructions, and process documentation.


• Provide technical support for customer enquiries and quotation activities.


• Collaborate with production, quality, maintenance, and commercial teams to achieve operational goals.


• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing scrap, rework, and process variation.


• Ensure compliance with quality management systems and customer specifications.


• Train, coach, and mentor operators and technicians to support capability development.


• Monitor process performance data and identify opportunities for improvement.


• Promote and maintain a strong culture of health, safety, and environmental compliance.

Candidate Requirements

• Strong background in heat treatment, metallurgy, materials science, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline.


• Experience working within a manufacturing or production environment.


• Knowledge of quality management tools and methodologies, including ISO standards, PFMEA, control plans, and root cause analysis.


• Experience with industrial furnaces and/or vacuum processing systems would be advantageous.


• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret process and performance data.


• Proven leadership and people management experience.


• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.


• Strong communication and organisational skills.


• Demonstrated commitment to health, safety, and quality standards