Precision Manufacturing | Hands-on Leadership
Location: Wakefield Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 + a well-rounded benefits package
KO2 Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with a well-established manufacturing business based in Wakefield in their search for an experienced Engineering Manager to join their senior team.
This is a genuinely hands-on leadership role for someone who is just as comfortable getting stuck into a technical problem on the shop floor as they are coaching, developing and motivating a team. You'll bring credible engineering knowledge and the people skills to build a strong, capable department around it.
The Role
You'll lead, manage and develop the Engineering function, delivering innovative, cost-effective and high-quality engineering solutions that support the business's product development, manufacturing and strategic objectives.
You'll provide hands on leadership across Engineering, Spray Painting, Automation and Injection Moulding, ensuring resources are effectively integrated and optimised to achieve operational excellence. You'll continually review and develop departmental strategy, aligning it with wider business, production and sales objectives, while driving continuous improvement, innovation and performance - staying close enough to the work to lead by example, and close enough to your people to bring the best out of them.
Key Responsibilities
Take overall ownership of the Engineering, Spray Painting, Automated Production and Injection Moulding departments, ensuring resources are used effectively to meet business objectives
Manage day-to-day operations across the department, making sure work is safely planned, prioritised and delivered in line with customer needs
Design and physically produce jigs, fixtures and other engineering solutions, getting hands-on to solve problems and support production
Plan and deliver engineering projects, product improvements, and the introduction of new equipment or processes
Champion continuous improvement across the department, driving efficiency, quality and performance gains
Keep engineering equipment, tools, machinery and stock levels well maintained to ensure maximum reliability
Line manage a team of 4 engineers, running regular 1-2-1s, performance reviews and succession planning to build a strong, capable team
Partner with Production, Planning, Purchasing, Technical and Logistics to keep activities coordinated and business goals on track
Assess current and future staffing, training and resourcing needs, flagging requirements to senior management as needed
Maintain compliance with Health & Safety, Environmental and Quality standards across all engineering activities
Report regularly on engineering performance, quality metrics, project progress and risk, with recommendations for senior leadership
Represent Engineering at production, continuous improvement and Health & Safety meetings, offering technical input where neededWhat You'll Bring
Essential
Experience in precision engineering and manufacturing
Experience operating and programming CNC machinery
Understanding of 2D/3D CAD modelling
Proficient in press tooling, and the design and hands-on manufacture of jigs and fixtures
Strong understanding of engineering principles and best practice
At least 5 years in a supervisory or leadership role within a manufacturing/logistics environment
Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, tools and equipment
Proven ability to lead and manage a team, with excellent communication, motivational and conflict-resolution skillsDesirable
Experience with spray painting processes (gloss, K2)
Extrusion saw operation and material preparation experience
Professional engineering certification (e.g. CEng, IET membership)
Experience and knowledge of injection moulding
Knowledge of industry standards such as IPC-A-610, RoHS and ISO 9001How to Apply
Apply today with an up-to-date CV for this exciting new Engineering Manager role in Wakefield
Salary description
£50000.00 - £55000.00 per year