Manufacturing Project Engineer

Manufacturing Project Engineer

Location: Desford, Leicestershire (Onsite)

Contract Deatils: 6-Month Contract (Rolling) - £47.03 per hour (£352.73 per day) - Inside IR35

We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Project Engineer to take ownership of a critical operational improvement programme within a leading manufacturing environment. This is a unique opportunity to step into an area that has historically lacked dedicated ownership. Multiple projects are currently running at different stages of completion across several teams, and the successful candidate will be responsible for bringing structure, accountability and momentum to the entire workstream.

Working closely with operational, engineering and leadership stakeholders, you will audit existing projects, identify gaps, standardise processes and documentation, and ensure all initiatives are delivered successfully.

The Opportunity

The role centres around a large-scale containerisation and shipping preparation operation, with responsibility for reviewing and improving the processes used to prepare products for customer delivery. You will inherit a portfolio of projects already in progress, including 2-3 major initiatives and several smaller improvement activities, and will be expected to:

• Review all existing projects and establish clear ownership and direction
• Identify outstanding actions, risks and gaps in delivery
• Drive projects through to completion
• Improve documentation, reporting and governance standards
• Coordinate activities across engineering, operations and supply chain teams
• Support long-term process improvements and operational efficiency initiatives

This is a highly autonomous role offering significant visibility and influence across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multiple manufacturing and operational improvement projects simultaneously
• Audit project status, documentation and deliverables
• Create and maintain project plans, schedules and progress reporting
• Work closely with stakeholders at all levels, from shopfloor teams through to senior leadership
• Deliver clear presentations tailored to different audiences
• Review manufacturing layouts and process flows using AutoCAD
• Support equipment, process and facility improvement activities
• Analyse operational data to identify trends, issues and improvement opportunities
• Drive project governance, risk management and stakeholder communication

Required Experience

• Proven experience delivering projects within a manufacturing or engineering environment
• Strong project management and stakeholder management capability
• Experience coordinating multiple workstreams simultaneously
• AutoCAD experience for layout review and analysis
• Strong reporting, presentation and data analysis skills
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of delivery
• Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Desirable Experience

• Manufacturing Engineering background
• 3D CAD experience (Creo preferred, alternatives considered)
• Automotive, heavy equipment, aerospace or industrial manufacturing experience
• Packaging, containerisation, logistics or shipping process experience
• Continuous Improvement or Lean Manufacturing experience
• Experience supporting equipment installation or process change projects

Who We're Looking For

This role would suit either:

• A Manufacturing Engineer with strong project delivery experience looking to move further into project leadership; or
• An experienced Engineering Project Manager who enjoys working closely with technical teams and operational stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be self-sufficient, organised and proactive, with the confidence to work independently, challenge existing processes and drive projects forward with minimal supervision.