Process Engineer

Job Overview

We are looking for a skilled manufacturing engineer to improve production processes through process research and monitoring of performance metrics, ensuring the smooth and efficient running of liquid and solid industrial chocolate production in our state-of-the-art facility on the Essex-Suffolk border.

You will be instrumental in coordinating activities and setting standards that enhance line performance. You'll bring a proactive approach to 'designing out' inefficiencies and 'building in' capability, ensuring our manufacturing processes are robust, efficient, and continuously improving.

This would be a great role for someone looking to take the next step in their Engineering career.

Standard Working Pattern: 08.00 – 17.00, Monday - Friday

Required skills and qualifications

• Educated in a relevant field (e.g. apprenticeship to HND level or equivalent, or a strong graduate) with relevant practical experience within an engineering role in an FMCG or food manufacturing environment (at least 1 year)
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing techniques; able to demonstrate process excellence expertise (lean or six sigma)
• Demonstrable experience of process implementation, e.g. integration of new production lines to an existing set up.
• Strong Excel skills (basic data analysis, producing charts for dashboards to report on reliability)
• Able to confidently use all Microsoft 365/Office applications (Word, Outlook, Teams)

Preferred skills and qualifications

• Experience in industrial chocolate production processes
• Plant Layout Experience and Facilities integration
• Manufacturing equipment acquisition experience
• Project Management experience

Key Responsibilities / Core Activities

• Leading the development and optimisation of manufacturing processes
• Providing strong first-line engineering and maintenance support for Production teams, with a focus on improving efficiency, safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Improve processes through your engineering knowledge and through process research
• Create and deliver reliability improvement plans, working closely with Production and Engineering teams to minimise downtime and improve line efficiency
• Test and monitor equipment, updating current system processes, and conduct risk assessments to ensure minimum process deviation in production
• Support root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives
• Uphold best practices in health, safety, and environmental compliance, ensuring strict compliance with food safety and GMP standards
• Identify and implement best-in-class operational processes and implement them into the plant, providing detailed technical guidance for activities in Production.
• Identify opportunities to introduce new technologies, automation, and digital manufacturing tools
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless production delivery
• Assess system and equipment requirements and produce technical specifications
• Contribute to safety assessments and justification of systems
• Developing, implementing, validating, maintaining and continuously improving capabilities of equipment and tooling
• Planning and managing project activities
• Supporting installation and commissioning of new equipment

Key Competencies / Behaviours for success

• Able to effectively influence and communicate at all levels
• Able to demonstrate the ability to think strategically and multitask
• A strong analytical thinker with planning and decision-making skills
• A skilled problem solver, and able to escalate when appropriate, communicating actions and mitigation implementation plans clearly

We Offer:

• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme: 5% Employee pension contributions are matched by 5% Employer pension contribution.
• 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 25 days after 2 years' service.
• Free on-site parking and hot drinks

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Referral programme

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Sudbury CO10 7QR: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person