Interim Technical Engineering Manager

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions; Havant; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fluid technology company in Havant seeks an Interim Technical Engineering Manager for an 8-month fixed term contract. This role involves driving operational excellence, leading engineering initiatives, and managing teams to align with company objectives. Candidates should have extensive experience in manufacturing engineering and strong project management skills, along with knowledge of Lean principles and compliance standards. The position offers a competitive salary and various benefits including flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working arrangements

Generous holiday allowance

Paid volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in manufacturing engineering with a significant focus on process development.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of Lean principles and quality management systems.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational excellence and innovation within the organization.
• Lead projects to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
• Oversee technical engineering projects ensuring adherence to timelines and quality.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering experience

Process development

Injection moulding

Automation systems knowledge

Lean principles understanding

Strong communication skills

Education

Degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft AX/D365

TrackWise

Windchill/PLM

Job description

Job Title: Interim Technical Engineering Manager (8 month Fixed Term Contract)

Location: Biopure - Havant

Location Type: On‑Site

Website: https://www.wmfts.com/en/

Group: https://www.spiraxgroup.com/

Watson‑Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions is part of SpiraxGroup, a FTSE100 and FTSE4Good multi‑national industrial engineering group with expertise in the control and management of steam, electric thermal solutions, peristaltic pumping and associated fluid technologies.

When you join us, you will be integrated into a cooperative and encouraging team, participate in challenging yet critical work, and experience ongoing growth opportunities to help you achieve your full potential. Visit our website to learn more.

Job Summary

We are seeking a talented and motivated Interim Technical Engineering Manager to join our dynamic team.

Key Responsibilities

The Technical Engineering Manager plays a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and innovation within the organisation. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, this position provides strategic direction for engineering initiatives, ensuring alignment with company objectives and supporting long‑term growth. The role manages critical functions including Maintenance, Facilities, Metrology, Project Engineering, Validation and BTA, ensuring these areas operate effectively and in compliance with regulatory standards. It encompasses leadership in project delivery, process optimisation, and team development, while fostering collaboration across departments to maintain compliance, quality and customer satisfaction.

Strategic Leadership

• Senior Leadership Contribution: Actively participate as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to strategic decision‑making and supporting the company’s vision, mission, and long‑term objectives.
• Department Leadership: Provide leadership and oversight for Maintenance, Facilities, Metrology, Project Engineering, Validation, and BTA, ensuring these critical functions deliver operational excellence.
• Strategic Project Leadership: Lead projects focused on improving efficiency, enhancing safety, driving sustainability, and reducing costs across engineering operations.
• Process and System Optimisation: Assess workflows, implement new procedures, and manage equipment transfers to ensure seamless operations and compliance.
• Team and Resource Management: Mentor and develop a diverse engineering team, fostering expertise in automation and validation engineering while ensuring optimal resource allocation.
• Business Support and Collaboration: Partner with cross‑functional teams to align engineering initiatives with organisational goals, ensuring compliance, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee technical engineering projects from concept to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Drive continuous‑improvement initiatives (Lean, Kaizen, standard work) to enhance productivity and process capability.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, health & safety regulations and internal policies; own relevant SOPs and work instructions.

Customer Support & Technical Representation

• Act as the site representative for technical queries and concerns, providing expert guidance and timely resolutions.
• Support the investigation and resolution of customer complaints, ensuring robust root‑cause analysis and effective Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs).
• Lead technical investigations, document findings, communicate outcomes and implement improvements to prevent recurrence.
• Partner closely with Quality and Operations to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction and regulatory compliance (e.g., ISO 9001).

Business Support

• Provide hands‑on technical expertise to meet business objectives and customer requirements, including manufacturability and scalability reviews.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver innovative, commercially viable solutions aligned to market needs.
• Contribute to risk management, change control and contingency planning for critical engineering operations.

Systems, Data & Governance

• Champion effective use of enterprise systems (e.g., Accruent, Microsoft AX/D365, TrackWise, Windchill/PLM) for asset management, ERP/MRP, QMS and product lifecycle control.
• Ensure accurate technical documentation, drawings and BOMs; maintain configuration control and traceability.
• Use data to monitor performance (OEE, scrap, yield, downtime) and drive evidence‑based decision‑making.

Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience in manufacturing engineering with a significant focus on process development.
• Practical experience in injection moulding and automation (cells, robotics, vision, PLCs).
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and lead multidisciplinary teams through the full lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of Lean principles and quality management systems such as ISO 9001; proficient in root‑cause tools (5‑Whys, Ishikawa/Fishbone, FMEA).
• Excellent communication skills, capable of preparing clear technical reports and making strategic proposals to upper management.
• Familiarity with enterprise systems (Accruent, AX/D365, TrackWise, Windchill/PLM) and Office 365; comfortable with data analysis for decision support.

Benefits

At Watson‑Marlow, we believe in taking care of our colleagues. We offer a generous benefits package, including:

• A competitive salary
• Flexible working arrangements
• A generous holiday allowance
• Three days’ paid volunteering leave
• Additional support and benefits through our Everyone is Included Group Inclusion Plan

Everyone is Included at Spirax Group

We are passionate about creating inclusive and equitable working cultures where everyone can be themselves and achieve their full potential. For us, that means supportive teams and strong relationships where everyone’s contribution is valued – across social and cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, genders, gender identities, abilities, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and everything else that makes us human and unique.

We want everyone to be able to make their difference here, so we will always consider requests for flexible working.

We know that everyone needs some extra help from time to time too, so we have introduced a range of additional benefits through our Group Inclusion Commitments. These include:

• Gender‑neutral parental leave
• 15 days of extra paid caregiver leave
• Paid time off and support for anyone experiencing pregnancy loss or domestic abuse
• Menopause‑friendly workplace principles and more

Learn more at spiraxgroup.com/inclusion.

We are also a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you would like to apply using this scheme, please select this option in our application form.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

If you require accommodations during the application process, please let us know.

Company Overview

At Watson‑Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions, part of Spirax Group, we are driven by innovation and are dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is empowered to make a difference. As a world leader in manufacturing peristaltic pumps and associated fluid path technologies for the life sciences and process industries, we offer a wide range of products, including tubing, specialised filling systems and products for single‑use applications.

Our shared Purpose is to create sustainable value for all our stakeholders as we engineer a more efficient, safer and sustainable world. Our technologies play an essential role in critical industrial processes and industrial equipment across industries as diverse as Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology, Power Generation, Semiconductors and Healthcare. With customers in 116 countries, we provide the solutions that sit behind the production of many items used in daily life, from baked beans to mobile phones!

Our inclusive culture and Values unite us, guide our decisions and inspire us everywhere that we operate. We support our colleagues to make their difference for each other as well as customers, communities, suppliers, our planet and shareholders by creating a truly equitable working environment where everyone feels included.