Job Description:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Strategic Manufacturing Operations Lead Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will play a critical part in shaping the company's manufacturing footprint by providing financial insight and analysis needed to guide strategic network decisions.
This position focuses on evaluating the cost, capacity, and efficiency impacts of network changes, ensuring that decisions align with both operational excellence and long-term business strategy.
As a key member of the Plant Network team, you will formulate and implement strategic plans to drive the overarching strategic plan and future direction of the organisation.
You will be responsible for directing teams to work effectively and build collaborative relationships with Manufacturing teams and operations to improve COGS and supply chain agility of products.
Evaluate and develop detailed financial models to compare and assess network scenarios such as plant expansions, consolidations, transfers, or closures.
Translate complex financial and operational data into clear insights and recommendations to support leadership decision-making.
You will partner closely with Product Transfer, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Procurement, HR, and Strategy teams to ensure all business dimensions—cost, capacity, risk, people, and sustainability—are captured in evaluations.
Support NPI business cases to ensure alignment with network strategy.
Provide analytical and financial input during M&A due diligence.
Evaluate manufacturing synergies, capacity overlaps, and network optimisation opportunities arising from acquisitions or divestitures.
Support 'what-if' analyses to evaluate trade-offs across different network design options and regional cost structures.
Maintain up-to-date databases and dashboards that reflect key network cost drivers and performance metrics.
Identify opportunities to streamline financial evaluation processes and improve accuracy, transparency, and decision speed.
Provide direction to the team in complex or difficult situations, remove obstacles, assign appropriate resources, and interface with other functions to assist with issue resolution.
Oversee aspects of Plant Network Governance ensuring all program activities remain on track, develop and maintain risk logs to manage Plant Network risks.
Facilitate Plant Network meetings, reviews, actions, and escalations.
Ensure all actions are tracked and completed in a timely manner.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or Business discipline required or related master's degree.
5-8 years leadership experience or substantial operations, supply planning, or engineering support is required.
Strong interpersonal, communication, influencing, and presentation skills essential.
Individual must possess strong leadership skills, proven ability to coach and mentor individuals in technical skills and people development areas.
The individual should enjoy working in a dynamic and results-driven team-based environment with flexibility essential.
Self-starter with demonstrated efficient work methods and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical skills with high problem-solving and process improvement orientation critical.
Requires an analytical, logical, and strategic thought process.
Innovative thinker - should be able to envisage new and better ways of doing things.
Experience in Medical Device or FDA regulated environment beneficial.
Benefits:
This role may be suitable for candidates with experience in the following roles or similar:
Plant Manager
Operations Manager
Engineering Manager
Continuous Improvement
Finance Leader in Manufacturing
M&A
Site Planning Leader
Portfolio Management
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