Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Location: On site / Brixworth, Northampton, UK
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Automotive | General
Salary: Competitive salary

At Ilmor, we specialise in the design, simulation, development and manufacture of powertrain systems, electronics, and software for Motorsport, Automotive and Marine applications. With an international presence, we value ourselves on providing technologically advanced solutions. We are innovating at pace in the development of high efficiency, race, and production ready, ICE and EV solutions for both land and sea.

You would be working for a business which is highly invested in technology, at the forefront of engineering developments and in an environment which truly has a family feel and everyone knows your name.

With new projects and forecasted high throughput required in Manufacturing, we are looking to recruit an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Manager.

The purpose is to bridge the gap between technical engineering and daily production. The role oversees ME operations to ensure products are manufactured safely, on time, to high-quality standards, and within budget.

• Lead the ME Team by example through visible, hands‑on involvement and day‑to‑day direction.
• Develop, implement and maintain manufacturing engineering systems to deliver product on time, to quality requirements and to cost.
• Take responsibility for daily departmental workflow allocation, ensuring priorities are clear and resources are used effectively, manage ME workload.
• Ensure procedures, process controls and documentation are accurate, up to date and consistently followed, including review and sign‑off of drawings where required
• Support quotations for outside work (OW) / internal work with accurate technical and operational input.
• Support project planning and delivery to ensure milestones, costs and timescales are achieved.
• Work closely with scheduling and planning functions to improve workflow, prioritisation and departmental output.
• Ensure the “yellow dot” (New part/new process) system is supported and adopted for new programmes.
• Embed disciplined CNC programming and change control culture so that changes are only made when required, proven and approved.
• Define and standardise manufacturing methods for Ilmor and implement these across the department.
• Redefine the tooling database system in conjunction with the machine shop team leader to establish a robust system.
• Manage tooling procurement and selection of tooling, analysis and produce tooling usage reports to monitor and control spend.
• Embed a right first‑time behaviour.
• Attend meetings, communicate actions clearly and follow through on agreed tasks.
• Produce clear reports and updates to support operational decision‑making and progress.
• Use KPIs to monitor performance, identify issues and improve delivery across areas of responsibility.
• Be first point contact for daily team management.
• Manage and lead the team(s), ensuring adequate staffing levels, managing holiday allowances, recruitment, training, development, appraisal, attendance, disciplinary issues and daily supervision to maximise efficient productivity
• Motivate and coach the team to operational success
• Monitor the completion of tasks and ensure good performance and record on appropriate systems
• Consistently promote high standards through personal example and roll out through the team so that each member of the team understands the standards and behaviours expected of them
• Review, implement and update company records e.g. training matrices, performance reviews, risk assessments
• Lead the team in new process introduction

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance
• Work collaboratively, negotiate and engage with key stakeholders to facilitate development, delivery and compliance with the logistics strategy
• Communicate and recommend solutions without compromising quality or service while optimising cost

• Exercises comprehensive discretion in judgement and initiative in setting and implementing goals
• Understanding of engineering, scientific and other technical…