Manufacturing Engineer in Marden, Kent

Manufacturing Engineer
  
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.
• Competitive hourly rate of £35.00–£40.00 depending on experience.