Engineering Project Manager

Engineering Project Manager (Product Improvement & Manufacturing Excellence)

Location: Currock Engineering Ltd, Chelmsford

Department: Engineering & Operations

Reports To: Head of Engineering and Quality

Job Purpose

The Engineering Project Manager is responsible for driving the continuous improvement of Currock Engineering's existing products, manufacturing processes, and customer programmes.

The role focuses on enhancing delivery performance, manufacturing efficiency, cost competitiveness, capacity utilisation, and customer satisfaction across established aerospace and defence contracts. Working closely with customers and internal departments, the Engineering Project Manager will lead improvement projects that maximise operational performance and support business growth.

The successful candidate will act as a bridge between customers, engineering, production, planning, and supply chain teams to ensure existing programmes continue to meet changing customer and business requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management

• Manage improvement projects across existing customer programmes and contracts.
• Monitor programme performance against delivery, cost, quality, and capacity objectives.
• Develop and maintain project plans to support operational and commercial goals.
• Coordinate activities across Engineering, Production, Quality, Planning, and Purchasing.
• Report project progress, risks, and opportunities to senior management.

Product & Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve existing products and manufacturing methods.
• Lead projects aimed at increasing productivity, reducing lead times, and improving efficiency.
• Review product and process performance data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Support implementation of new tooling, fixtures, equipment, and manufacturing technologies.
• Improve manufacturing routings, production workflows, and resource utilisation.
• Drive initiatives to increase throughput and reduce operational costs.

Customer Relationship Management

• Act as a key interface between Currock Engineering and customers.
• Participate in programme reviews and customer meetings.
• Understand customer requirements and translate them into practical improvement activities.
• Support long-term customer retention through continuous improvement and proactive programme management.
• Identify opportunities for additional business within existing customer accounts.

Operational Performance

• Support achievement of On Time Delivery (OTD) targets.
• Improve production planning and schedule adherence.
• Work with production teams to remove bottlenecks and improve flow.
• Monitor and manage project budgets and improvement objectives.
• Deliver measurable business benefits from improvement activities.

Strategic Development

• Support implementation of company growth plans.
• Lead projects that improve production capability and capacity.
• Assist with facility, equipment, and technology investment projects.
• Contribute to the development of engineering and operational best practices.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement across the business.

Qualifications

Essential

• HNC/HND or Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production Engineering, or a similar discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience in a precision engineering, aerospace, or manufacturing environment.
• Proven project management experience.

Desirable

• PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent.
• Lean Manufacturing qualification.
• Six Sigma Green Belt.
• Experience within AS9100-certified organisations.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Project management and planning.
• Manufacturing process improvement.
• Customer relationship management.
• Commercial awareness.
• Understanding of machining and assembly processes.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Project.

Desirable

• Knowledge of aerospace and defence industry requirements.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing initiatives.
• Understanding of production capacity planning.
• Experience supporting operational growth and investment projects.
• Experience with APQP / PPAP type activities

Performance will be assessed against relevant KPIs, which may include:

• On Time Delivery performance.
• Programme profitability.
• Manufacturing efficiency improvement.
• Capacity utilisation.
• Lead time reduction.
• Cost reduction achieved.
• Customer satisfaction.
• Successful completion of improvement projects.
• Growth of existing customer programmes.

Ideal Candidate

An engineering professional with strong project management skills and a passion for improving existing products, processes, and programmes. The successful candidate will be commercially aware, customer focused, and capable of delivering practical improvements that increase efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction within a precision aerospace manufacturing environment.

What We Offer:

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Healthshield Cash Plan including access to MyWellness Services
• Company Sick Pay
• Pension: Defined Contribution 5% Employee 5% Employer
• Up to 2 hours paid time off for medical appointments
• Flexible start/finish times and lunchtime finish on a Friday
• Annual bonus scheme linked to company profits and performance targets
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunities for development and a supportive team environment
• Bright Exchange (online marketplace the provides a wide range of discounts to hundreds of products, services and special offers)
• Free Parking

Working Pattern

Full-time, 38 hours per week, with flexible start/finish times.

Security Checks

Please note, you may be required to undergo Security Checks appropriate to your role.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] and we will be happy to support you.

Please apply with a copy of your CV to [email protected]

Please note we do not accept CV's from recruitment agencies.