Edwards Vacuum
Manufacturing Engineering Manager - Operations
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Your role
Bring your curiosity to work as our next Manufacturing Engineering Manager - Operations. You will be part of our Manufacturing Engineering Operations team reporting to [Hiring manager title]. In this role, your mission is to develop and lead a cost‑effective, innovative manufacturing strategy for printed circuit assembly and final assembly that keeps the Eastbourne Product Company at the forefront of technology and operational excellence. Drive the seamless introduction of new products into Operations, ensuring they meet business and customer expectations for quality, delivery performance, safety, and cost. Champion world‑class manufacturing standards and ensure the Eastbourne facility continues to operate as a benchmark PCA and box assembly manufacturing site. You will contribute directly to how we create high‑quality products and solutions for our customers.
Short Description
People Leadership & Team Development
- Role model fair, proactive, and consistent people management, addressing absence, conduct, and capability issues professionally and in line with policy.
- Communicate clearly and frequently to ensure strong information flow, alignment, and shared ownership across teams and departments.
- Drive engagement through recognition, meaningful feedback, open dialogue, and involvement in improvement activities.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, learning, and continuous improvement where individuals feel empowered to share ideas, solve problems, and build capability.
- Create a supportive, high performance environment that encourages constructive feedback, team led problem solving, and cross functional cooperation.
- Hold individuals accountable for behaviours and performance while providing coaching and support to enable their success.
Operational Delivery & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain a deep expertise in electronics manufacturing best practices, ensuring the organisation remains aligned with leading-edge technologies for printed circuit assemblies (PCAs) and electrical/electronic assemblies.
- Develop and execute a forward looking capital investment strategy that supports equipment renewal, capability expansion, and adoption of new technologies.
- Set, monitor, and achieve ambitious OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) targets, ensuring robust engineering support is provided to all manufacturing zones to maximise productivity, quality, and equipment uptime.
- Collaborate closely with NPI teams to allocate Manufacturing Engineering resources effectively, ensuring manufacturability standards are consistently applied and engineering support is balanced across all product groups.
- Establish and enforce standardised NPI processes, including routing timelines, DFMEA, PFMEA, and build standards (e.g., AOI, pick-to-light, engraving), ensuring uniformity, compliance, and readiness for volume production.
- Ensure active and consistent Manufacturing Engineering participation in Manufacturing Reviews (MR), Technical Reviews (TR), and the PCP process, driving a sitewide standard for new product introduction and design-for-manufacture excellence.
- Optimise shop-floor layout and space utilisation proactively, ensuring the facility is configured to support current operations, future growth, and the introduction of new products.
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Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Lead and reinforce the SHE programme, promoting visible safety leadership and reducing physical and behavioural risks.
- Promote a culture where safety, quality, and process discipline are embedded in all daily activities.
Your day-to-day
- Create a supportive, high performance environment that encourages constructive feedback, team led problem solving, and cross functional cooperation.
- Drive the continued development and deployment of the Vacuum Technique Production System (VTPS) in partnership with the BPI Lead, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the site.
- Strengthen and evolve the Manufacturing Engineering organisation, providing decisive leadership in recruitment, capability development, performance management, and organisational design to build a high-performing, future-ready team.
- Manage Cost-Centre budgets and headcount strategically, ensuring accurate forecasting, disciplined cost control, and transparent reporting against financial and operational targets.
- Support the Operations Manager in delivering the Eastbourne site’s OGSM, contributing to long-term site development, operational strategy, and cross-functional alignment.
- Collaborate closely with NPI teams to allocate Manufacturing Engineering resources effectively, ensuring manufacturability standards are consistently applied and engineering support is balanced across all product groups.
- Ensure full compliance with safety procedures, statutory requirements, Risk Control Elements, and ISO 45001:2018 standards.
Your Skills And Experience
Essential skillset
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical and/or Electronics Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering or a related engineering discipline or demonstrable experience.
- Thorough knowledge and experience of implementing lean manufacturing.
- Significant experience in developing or supporting electronics manufacturing processes.
- Thorough understanding of surface-mount and through-hole assembly processes, methods and equipment.
- Thorough understanding of electrical and electronic components and their packaging.
- Significant Experience working in a technical and people management role.
- Strong ability to coach others.
- Robust understanding of PFMEA and DFMEA.
- Must be a good communicator and have excellent fluency in spoken and written English.
- A thorough understanding of MRP systems- ideally SAP.
- Competent in use of Microsoft office.
- Strong leadership skills.
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Desirable
- CEng, Chartered Engineer.
- Experience in MES Systems.
- Lean Six Sigma belt accredited.
We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. We value diverse experiences and perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the role.
Your Compensation And Benefits
We offer compensation that reflects the skills, experience, and responsibilities of the role. Pay also depends on the country where the job role is based, as compensation practices vary across our markets. During the recruitment process, we share clear information about the pay and benefits for your location, so you know what to expect before moving forward.
Your location and working hours
This role requires you to work on-site at our office in Eastbourne UK, United Kingdom (GB). You will be part of a dynamic team and enjoy the benefits of face-to-face collaboration.
Why it is great to work with us
Your career grows through your skills, your curiosity, and the people you work with. You join a global network where we learn from each other and share knowledge openly. We focus on long‑term development and encourage you to explore new ideas that help us move forward. Innovation is part of how we think and act – we test, improve, and use what we learn to create solutions that matter. You can make a meaningful impact by contributing with your insights and taking ownership of your work, supported by flexible ways of working and leaders who empower you.
Application process
About
Our selection process includes interviews and, for some roles, skills assessments that help us gain a deeper understanding of your profile. We look forward to getting to know you, learning about your strengths, and discussing how you can grow with us. If you have questions during the process or need support, please contact us:
Talent Acquisition: Joanna Fifield, joanna.fifield@edwardsvacuum.com
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