Production Engineering Manager (Machining)

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

Job summary

A leader in fluid technology solutions is seeking a Production Engineering Manager to lead the machining team and ensure efficient processes. Key responsibilities include overseeing CNC machining operations and implementing strategies for continuous improvement. The ideal candidate should possess strong CNC knowledge, leadership skills, and a relevant engineering qualification. This role offers a competitive salary, flexible working, and excellent benefits including private healthcare and a generous holiday allowance.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working

Comprehensive private healthcare

Enhanced pension plan

Life assurance

27 days holiday allowance

Paid volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Relevant leadership/supervisory experience in a manufacturing discipline.
• Experience in working within a quality system and following procedures.
• Ability to document work instructions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the machine shop production engineering team.
• Ensure efficient machining processes and adherence to quality standards.
• Implement tooling strategies and fixture designs.

Skills

Strong knowledge of CNC machining

Ability to troubleshoot complex machining issues

Strong leadership and communication skills

Problem-solving using 8-D type analysis

Experience with Lean Manufacturing

Education

Engineering Graduate or equivalent HND/HNC qualification

Tools

CAD/CAM software (e.g. MES, Inspection Manager)

Job description

Production Engineering Manager (Machining)

Lead the machine shop production engineering team, ensuring efficient machining processes, optimal use of CNC equipment, and adherence to quality standards. Your objectives and responsibilities will focus on:

• Development of machine shop support strategy, investments, and preparation of cap‑ex proposals to ensure plant efficiency, safety, optimisation, and flexibility through processes, methods, equipment, and outsourced resources.
• Ensure consistent programming standards for multi‑axis CNC machining centres to maximise flexibility and machine optimisation.
• Support new product introductions with process validation, capability studies and preventive maintenance.
• Oversee the design and improvement of machining processes for CNC milling, turning, and grinding operations, and maintain associated work instructions.
• Implement tooling strategies and fixture designs to maximise flexibility, efficiency and accuracy.
• Optimise cycle times and reduce scrap through data‑driven analysis.
• Lead or participate in Kaizen events aimed at improving customer service, efficiency, and reducing downtime. Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to machining operations.
• Ensure adherence to ISO 9001 and customer‑specific quality requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Engineering to resolve machining‑related non‑conformances.
• Create reports and management information as required.
• Monitor and report on KPI performance, efficiency savings, OEE, scrap rates, and cycle times.
• Prepare reports for senior management on process performance and improvement initiatives.

Tobe successful in this role you will…

• Demonstrate Company Core Values at all times.
• Strong knowledge of CNC machining, tooling, and fixture design.
• Knowledge of CAD/CAM software (e.g. MES, Inspection Manager).
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement tools.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex machining issues.
• Engineering Graduate or equivalent HND/HNC qualification.
• Relevant leadership/supervisory experience in a manufacturing discipline.
• Problem‑solving using 8‑D type analysis.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Ability to prioritise work to changing requirements.
• Strong motivational and team‑management skills.
• Experience of working within a recognised quality system and following procedures.

Your application will benefit from:

• Experience working with valves or valve‑related products.
• Understanding of ISO 9001.
• Ability to document work instructions for own area.
• Qualification in Continuous Improvement (Lean).
• Qualification in Change Management.

Benefits

You will receive a competitive salary (and a discretionary bonus), flexible working and excellent benefits including 27 days holiday allowance (before bank holidays), 3 days’ paid volunteering leave, comprehensive private healthcare, an enhanced pension plan, life assurance, optional participation in a Share Ownership Plan, free onsite parking, flexible benefits, and access to a personal discounts portal. We also offer a range of additional support and benefits through our Everyone is Included Group Inclusion Plan.

About the company

The Steam Thermal Solutions business is one of three businesses within Spirax Group. Spirax Sarco and Gestra are the two brands that form Steam Thermal Solutions, global leaders in engineered solutions for the design, provision and maintenance of efficient industrial and commercial steam systems. Steam Thermal Solutions has global coverage across 67 operating units (called OpCos), organised into four divisions: EMEA, APAC, Americas and Gestra.

Spirax Group is a FTSE100 and FTSE4Good multi‑national industrial engineering group with expertise in control and management of steam, electric thermal solutions, peristaltic pumping and associated fluid technologies.

Our Purpose is to create sustainable value for all stakeholders as we engineer a more efficient, safer and sustainable world. Our technologies play an essential role in critical industrial processes across industries such as food & beverage, pharmaceutical & biotechnology, power generation, semiconductors and healthcare. We provide solutions behind the production of many items used in daily life, from baked beans to mobile phones.

Our Purpose, supported by an inclusive culture and values, unites us, guides our decisions and inspires us everywhere we operate. We support colleagues to make a 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.

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 always consider requests for flexible working.

Everyone may need extra help, so we have introduced a range of additional benefits through Group Inclusion Commitments, including gender‑neutral parental leave, 15 days of extra paid caregiver leave, paid time off, and support for those experiencing pregnancy loss or domestic abuse, menopause‑friendly workplace principles and more. Learn more at https://www.spiraxgroup.com/en/life-at-spirax/our-inclusive-group/our-inclusion-commitments.

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 or notify our recruitment partners.