Manufacturing Engineer Contact
Location: Marden, Kent
Contract: Full-time contract position
Working pattern: Predominantly on-site, supporting manufacturing operations
TPA Recruit is supporting an established engineering manufacturer in the appointment of an experienced Manufacturing Engineer on a contract basis. The position is focused on improving assembly processes, production flow, work instructions, tooling, routings and shop-floor performance.
The role would suit a practical Manufacturing or Process Engineer who is comfortable working directly with production teams and can combine SAP experience with Lean manufacturing, CAD and structured problem solving.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and standardise build processes, digital work instructions and stage sign-off controls.
* Maintain and improve production routings in SAP, including component allocation and build-time validation.
* Use Lean manufacturing, Kaizen and 6S techniques to improve flow, line balance, productivity and waste reduction.
* Create and maintain shop-floor layouts using CAD and support process flow-line design and implementation.
* Design and implement jigs, fixtures, specialist tooling, shadow boards, racks and material-handling aids.
* Work with Quality and Inspection to build quality into processes and drive a no-fault-forward approach.
* Use A3/root-cause problem solving to investigate production issues and implement sustainable improvements.
* Develop KPI, target and visual-management information for shop-floor and management review.
* Evaluate engineering change requests and update routings and work instructions following approved changes.
* Create and review VSM and FMEA documentation and support wider manufacturing improvement projects.
Skills and Experience
* Previous experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Production Engineering, Process Engineering or a closely related role within an engineering/manufacturing environment.
* Practical SAP experience is required, including maintaining or working with manufacturing data and routings.
* Good understanding of Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, waste reduction and structured problem solving.
* Experience using SolidWorks or AutoCAD to produce or amend technical drawings and factory/shop-floor layouts.
* Ability to create production routings, work instructions and process documentation.
* Experience with FMEA and Value Stream Mapping would be advantageous.
* Confident working with Production, Quality, Engineering, Purchasing and other cross-functional teams.
* Organised, accurate and able to communicate practical improvement ideas clearly at different levels.
Why Join This Business?
* Immediate contract opportunity within an established UK engineering manufacturer.
* Hands-on remit with visible impact on production efficiency, quality and shop-floor performance.
* Broad exposure across manufacturing, quality, industrialisation and engineering teams.
* Opportunity to deliver practical Lean, tooling, routing and process-improvement projects
