Manufacturing Engineering Manager

MERITUS are recruiting for a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to join our client in Hampshire in a permanent position to work on advanced mechatronics, defence programmes.

MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING MANAGER - £75,000 PER ANNUM - SC CLEARED - ROMSEY, HAMPSHIRE - ADVANCED PRODUCTS - FAST MOVING INTERVIEW PROCESS - SECTOR: DEFENCE

As Manufacturing Engineering Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring products are designed and introduced with manufacturing excellence in mind. You'll lead continuous improvement initiatives, support production, and work collaboratively across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Delivery and Customer Support to deliver efficient, scalable manufacturing solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the manufacturing engineering function, developing and mentoring a team of Manufacturing Engineers.
• Drive Manufacturing aspects of New Product Introduction (NPI), ensuring Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) principles are embedded.
• Develop, implement and optimise manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, quality, productivity, cost and lead times.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives, identifying, prioritising and delivering continuous improvement projects.
• Lead root cause investigations and problem-solving activities using recognised CI methodologies, including PFMEA, 8D and Lean Six Sigma tools.
• Identify and manage manufacturing risks, escalating issues and opportunities where appropriate.
• Play a key role within the Change Control process, ensuring the successful introduction of new products and engineering changes.
• Maintain manufacturing documentation, including Bills of Materials (BOMs), work instructions, test procedures and equipment maintenance records.
• Support day-to-day production operations, ensuring manufacturing issues are resolved effectively.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Delivery and Customer Support to deliver operational improvements.
• Support supply chain resilience initiatives and subcontractor process improvement activities.
• Oversee manufacturing facilities, equipment, layouts, safety standards and training programmes for new processes and equipment.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement across the wider business.

About You

We're looking for a proactive manufacturing leader with a passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience leading a Manufacturing Engineering team within an electro-mechanical manufacturing environment.
• Strong background in developing and improving manufacturing processes and procedures.
• Experience leading change management and continuous improvement programmes.
• Demonstrable experience applying Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience reviewing engineering designs for manufacturability (DFMA).
• Strong knowledge of PFMEA, 8D and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent communication, organisational and project management skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex manufacturing and operational challenges.

Desirable

• Degree qualified in an Engineering discipline.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Project Management qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience within low-to-medium volume electro-mechanical assembly.

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership and people development skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical ability.
• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proactive, self-motivated and results-driven.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Able to prioritise effectively and work to demanding deadlines.