Production Engineering Manager (POSITION CLOSED)

Objective: To develop and sustain, a systems-based Engineering approach to production maintenance, utilising continuous improvement methodology (TPM), to ensure efficient scheduling of PPM and CM activities with a focus on RCA to support the delivery of both Engineering and Production KPIs.

Reporting to: Production Manager

Direct Reports: Lead Production Engineer, Production Engineer

Close working relationship: Production Manager, Operations Manager, Technical Manager, Head Cyder Maker, Production Team Leader.

Basic Salary: £40,000 - £42,500

Basic Hours: Working hours will be 40 hours a week (average) as per contract and will need to be on a flexible basis, due to the needs of the company. Start time (dependant at times on shift pattern) could be from 6.00 a.m. until 2.00p.m. or 2.00pm until 10.00pm or 8.30am until 5.00pm Monday to Sunday (5 days). You will be required to work such additional hours as may be necessary for the performance of your duties and the production plan.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

To lead a team of multi-skilled Engineers, developing the core infrastructure of the Engineering department in line with TPM methodology and industry best practice standards.
Utilising practical skills and experience, to define standards of operation and develop a culture driven by continuous improvement, you will develop initiatives designed to promote increased efficiency of production operations and minimise the potential for equipment downtime using FMEA and LEAN methodology (Gemba Kaizen, SMED, 5S, etc.).

• Ensuring Health, Safety, Environmental pre-requisites are met, including Induction and Management of Contractors, Engineering Risk Assessments, Permits, PUWER, and any other regulatory requirements, in consultation with Site Technical & Production Managers.
• Develop and sustain meaningful KPIs for Engineering efficiency, including MTTR and MTBF along with a planned and systematic approach to ensuring all assets are reviewed and assessed, with maintenance scheduled in accordance with OEM recommendations.
• Act as a mentor for your Engineers, establishing and guiding their technical/personal development needs, with a focus on behavioral aspects, needed to support improvement in a rapidly changing environment. Provide coaching in the use of CI tools, to ensure delivery of personal and departmental objectives.
• Create a best-in-class workshop environment, using 5S / Kanban / Kaizen principles.
• Ensure all critical spares requirements are reviewed and appropriate OEM parts, or contingency plans, are in place to mitigate critical plant failures.
• Maintain and regularly update all Engineering and Plant equipment manuals/documentation.
• Ensure your team and any contracted support, fully comply with all necessary risk assessments, method statements, and safe systems of work using company policy and HSE guidance as the benchmark for standards.
• Lead engineering improvement projects and support any NPD requirements.
• Ensure all equipment and Engineering processes, meet the required technical and quality specifications (OEM standards).
• Manage team schedules to ensure Engineering support is available at all times when the Production plant is in operation, acting as a point of cover in the event of team absence.
• Develop a pool of approved, specialist external support, covering technical, operational, and parts/inventory/service support, for all site critical operations/utilities, which are unable to be supported through the Engineering team.
• Manage Engineering spend against budget, developing OEM and local contacts to ensure service, quality, and cost criteria are in full control, seeking opportunities where third-party suppliers may fulfill these requirements, in place of OEM supply routes. Be able to demonstrate how proportional spending delivers online efficiency improvements in Production.
• Develop the planned and preventative maintenance schedules, with a specific focus on ensuring relevant, appropriate timing based on OEM requirements or from the experience of previous service needs / critical plant failures. Include Engineering SOP aspects and mechanisms to capture parts/inventory requirements.
• Develop visual systems control to track issues, aid communication, and develop disciplines for timely execution of tasks by your Engineering team.
• Work closely with the Production Manager to develop and align Engineering / Production strategies that support people, quality, service, and cost objectives.

Work experience:

• An experienced Engineer, with knowledge of Cider making / Brewing industry.
• Proven track record in leading Engineering teams in an FMCG environment.
• Experience in providing process improvement and creating engineering solutions involving complex machinery.

Education / Qualification / Skills Requirements:

• Production engineering / relevant degree or HND with significant industry experience.
• Degree / Diploma in Brewing science preferred but not essential.
• Experience in the development and implementation of LEAN / Six Sigma principles.

Personal Qualities:

• Highly experienced, focused, and technically competent.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Confident, self-starter with the ability to communicate clearly at all levels.
• Methodical, with strong problem-solving skills and analytical thinking.
• Organised and effective administrator.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Operates with integrity, develops trust and respect.