What Jobs are available for Manufacturing in Newton Aycliffe?

My client are looking for a Lead Manufacturing Engineer to manage a team of 8 Engineers and Technicians through manufacture and complex assembly of products going into a range of regulated industries.

This is an excellent opportunity to take the step from Senior Engineer to a direct Management position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a muti-disciplinary team, building technical capabilities while fostering a collaborative and innovative working environment.
• Support day-today production and new product introduction (NPI) activities, collaborating across wider operations and ensuring compliance with H&S.
• Provide expertise and lean manufacturing practices to solve manufacturing challenges.
• Deliver DFM (design for manufacturing) reviews and feedback throughout NPI processes, working alongside the design team to customer and industry specific requirements.
• Own and manage departmental budgets with support from your line manager, implementing equipment upgrades and improvements in line with budgets and ensuring NPI projects meet cost and quality requirements.
• Develop and maintain departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to proactively drive continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Degree in Engineering, or qualified by experience in manufacturing engineering positions.
• Experience in manufacturing or production environments, ideally with electro-mechanical products.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement principals (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen)
• Experience in regulated industries is desirable (defence, aerospace, marine, medical).

Location: on-site, south of Middlesbrough

Salary: up to £58k (DOE)

• Assisting experienced technicians and engineers in daily manufacturing operations.
• Learning to operate and maintain various machinery and equipment safely and efficiently.
• Participating in the assembly, testing, and quality control of products.
• Reading and interpreting technical drawings, schematics, and work instructions.
• Troubleshooting basic equipment malfunctions under supervision.
• Adhering to strict health and safety procedures and company policies at all times.
• Maintaining a clean and organized work area.
• Engaging actively in theoretical training and coursework provided as part of the apprenticeship.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives within the production team.
• Developing a strong understanding of manufacturing processes and best practices.
• Working collaboratively with team members to achieve production targets.
• Reporting any issues or concerns to your supervisor promptly.

• Manage and lead the day-to-day operations of the manufacturing production floor.
• Develop and implement production schedules to meet demand and optimize resource utilization.
• Ensure all manufacturing activities are conducted in a safe and compliant manner, adhering to health and safety regulations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing principles (e.g., Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma).
• Monitor production performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions.
• Oversee the training, development, and performance management of the production team.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to ensure products meet required standards.
• Work with the supply chain and logistics teams to manage raw material inventory and finished goods output.
• Implement and maintain robust production reporting systems.
• Champion a culture of safety, quality, and efficiency within the manufacturing department.
• Participate in capital expenditure planning and equipment procurement.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing operations or production management.
• Proven track record in leading production teams and improving operational efficiency.
• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing methodologies and continuous improvement techniques.
• Excellent understanding of manufacturing processes and quality control standards.
• Proficiency in production planning and ERP systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to problem-solve effectively and make data-driven decisions.
• Commitment to health, safety, and environmental best practices.
• Experience in the (Specific Industry, e.g., Automotive, Electronics, Food & Beverage) sector is a plus.

• Develop and execute strategic plans to optimize manufacturing processes, enhance productivity, and reduce operational costs.
• Provide leadership and direction to plant managers and operational teams across all manufacturing sites.
• Ensure adherence to the highest standards of quality, safety, and environmental compliance throughout all operations.
• Implement and champion lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Six Sigma) to drive operational excellence.
• Manage the entire production lifecycle, from raw material sourcing to finished goods, ensuring efficient supply chain management.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets, capital expenditure plans, and P&L responsibilities for manufacturing operations.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and high performance within the manufacturing organization.
• Oversee the implementation of new technologies and automation to improve manufacturing efficiency and capability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders in R&D, Sales, and Finance to align manufacturing capabilities with business objectives.
• Develop and mentor senior operations personnel, building a robust talent pipeline for future leadership roles.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions to achieve targets.
• Effectively manage remote teams, utilizing technology to ensure seamless communication and collaboration.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial), Operations Management, or a related field. An MBA or Master's in a relevant discipline is highly preferred.
• Minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations management, with at least 5 years in a Director-level role overseeing multiple facilities.
• Proven track record of successfully leading operational transformations and implementing lean manufacturing methodologies.
• Extensive experience in P&L management, budgeting, and capital investment planning.
• Strong understanding of supply chain management, quality systems (e.g., ISO 9001), and EHS regulations.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in manufacturing execution systems (MES) and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Experience managing effectively in a remote or distributed operational environment.
• Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement and achieve significant cost savings and efficiency gains.

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes and systems.
• Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for optimization.
• Design and implement new manufacturing technologies and automation solutions to enhance productivity and reduce costs.
• Develop and manage manufacturing budgets, ensuring cost control and resource allocation efficiency.
• Oversee the validation and qualification of new equipment and processes.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Lead and mentor a team of manufacturing engineers and technicians, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain departments to ensure seamless product development and launch.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions.
• Champion lean manufacturing principles (e.g., Six Sigma, Kaizen) to drive operational excellence.
• Manage external vendor relationships for equipment and service providers.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in manufacturing engineering, with at least 3 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing process improvements and automation projects.
• In-depth knowledge of lean manufacturing methodologies and tools.
• Experience with CAD/CAM software and simulation tools.
• Strong understanding of quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001).
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in project management, including planning, execution, and monitoring.
• Ability to analyze complex technical problems and develop effective solutions.
• Experience in the specific manufacturing sector relevant to our operations is a plus.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to the Newcastle upon Tyne area.

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Proven experience as a Process Engineer in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing principles, production optimisation techniques (Lean, Six Sigma), and quality control systems.
• Experience with CAD software and process simulation tools is advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
• Familiarity with safety regulations and environmental compliance in manufacturing.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Direct and manage all manufacturing operations to ensure efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Develop and implement strategic manufacturing plans aligned with company objectives.
• Lead and mentor production teams, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Oversee production scheduling, resource allocation, and inventory management.
• Implement and champion lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, environmental, and quality regulations.
• Manage operational budgets, control costs, and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
• Drive initiatives to improve product quality and reduce manufacturing defects.
• Collaborate with supply chain, engineering, and sales departments to optimise the overall value chain.
• Invest in and implement new manufacturing technologies and processes.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (10+ years) in manufacturing management, with a significant portion in senior leadership roles.
• Proven track record of driving operational excellence and significant improvements in efficiency, quality, and cost reduction.
• Deep understanding of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong financial management and budgeting skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in managing large teams and complex production environments.
• Proficiency with manufacturing execution systems (MES) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

• Analyse existing manufacturing processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve product quality.
• Design, implement, and validate new manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all manufacturing processes.
• Troubleshoot production issues and implement corrective actions to minimise downtime.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and production teams to ensure seamless integration of process changes.
• Conduct time and motion studies to optimise workflow and resource allocation.
• Manage process-related documentation, including process flow diagrams and FMEAs.
• Train production staff on new processes and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.