Manufacturing Engineer

Westlakes Recruit are currently looking for several Manufacturing engineers, on a contract basis, in the Bristol, Reading or Warrington area.

Purpose of the Role:
Work in a team environment as a key support resource for the Planning, Quality, Procurement and Engineering functions to develop production facilities and manufacturing methods to improve quality and cost competitiveness; and be the conduit between facility design, design for manufacture, and engineering project teams. Responsibilities shall include cross-functional project management to qualify new components, supporting issues with current production, developing new suppliers to reduce cost, increase capacity, and improve quality. Manage the project and client specific requirements and offer technical support. Work on multiple phases or sub-tasks of projects or entire projects of moderate complexity, with results impacting on project completion.
Key Responsibilities:
General and Task Management

• Assess new and existing manufacturing capabilities to meet product, cost, quality, capacity, and fulfilment ensuring manufacturing operations can meet requirements for performance, quality, cost and delivery of components and requirements for PPAP, APQP, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and other applicable customer and internal system and reputation requirements.
• Drive improvements utilising Lean methodologies ensuring supplier compliance, whilst driving systematic problem solving and process improvement plans to deliver value.
• Track key performance indicators, based on scorecards and rankings, to facilitate and develop the business's ability to consistently meet or exceed defined expectations.
• Develop positive relationships and work closely with Procurement to manage, implement, and track supplier/engineering, design changes, capacity studies and New Product Introductions, and transfers.
• Deliver results as measured by key metrics, such as yield, field cost, field defect rate, supplier quality plan engagement/effectiveness, and corrective & preventative action closure.
• Specify, develop, and validate advanced technology, quality information and test equipment.
• Specify and develop product acceptance/test procedures that relate to a complex process (state-of-the-art) or highly complex product.
• Act as consultant to communicate and coach the Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering and Procurement organizations to drive cost effective improvements to Quality and Manufacturing processes, minimising waste, introduce new products and improve product design.
• Provide leadership during investigations of major problems and or special projects focusing on developing working relationships with suppliers and the supply chain about product development and procurement of equipment.
• Responsible for leading the solution for supplier component concerns, driving Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), customer interaction, supplier interaction, Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) support, supplier component development, approval and production cost improvements.
• Carry out new supplier validation audits, with supplier support and supplier Advanced Product
• Assist with new product launch to ensure that key milestones are achieved.
• Define process parameters and criteria to ensure process capability is effective to meet product and process requirements.
• Keep up with current and developing manufacturing and engineering trends.
• Contribute to continuous improvement activities.
• Provide technical expertise to customers/licensees in solving technical problems associated with product supply and test facilities.
• Write reports and present progress at project meetings.
• Achieve goals within budget.
• Conduct benchmarking studies to determine best practices/designs and future trends.
• Undertake personal continuous training and development.
• Perform root cause analysis and resolve problems.

Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Diplomatic approach to relationships.

Self-Management

• Comply with the Health, Safety and Environmental Policies.
• Assertive, optimistic, resilient and welcomes change.
• Engages interest and participation of others and has a collaborative approach to working together.
• Proactively contributes to the team.
• Is self-aware and ability to work on own initiative.
• Shows moral courage, openness and honesty in all dealings.

Skills & Attributes:

• Experience in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing and Project Management.
• Experience in developing and implementing vendor qualification.
• Knowledge of quality and business systems.
• Strong knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA).
• Report and Procedure writing with excellent presentation skills.
• Understanding and interpretation of engineering drawings.
• Understanding manufacturing processes.
• Ability to work in a diverse and dynamic environment.
• Ability to present data effectively.
• Numerically astute with strong problem-solving skills and expertise to develop and execute objectives for self and others and the ability to effect short-term and some long-term business goals.

Qualifications and Experience Levels:

• Relevant manufacturing/engineering degree preferred, ONC, A Levels, City & Guilds Level 3, BTec National Diploma Level 3, IVQ Technician Diploma or equivalent NVQ level 3 qualification.
• Substantial experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, preferably automotive.
• Experience of dealing with customers and suppliers