Lean Production Engineer

About Superior WellnessFounded in 2011, Superior Wellness is the world's fastest-growing hot tub manufacturer, and an innovative distributor of premium hot tubs, swim spas, Chill Tubs, saunas and accessories to trade and retail customers across several countries.Over the past 15 years, we've grown our international team to more than 150 people and achieved a turnover in excess of £50 million – and we're ambitious for much more.Our European manufacturing operation, Portcril, is based in Portugal and plays a key role in our global supply chain, producing high-quality products for customers across Europe and beyond.Acquired by Superior Wellness in late 2024 and rebranded as Superior Wellness Portugal, the site has recently started production of new product ranges that will transform its financial performance.

The Role

The Lean Production Engineer leads small production teams and delivers hands-on Lean improvement on the shop floor. The role plans production against customer orders, embeds standard work, balanced workstations, visual management and 5S in daily routines, and acts as a driving force for health and safety at work compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Continuous Improvement and Lean

Lead improvement initiatives using Lean tools (value stream mapping, SMED, root cause analysis, A3, PDCA) to increase productivity, quality and lead time.

Maintain an improvement pipeline with owners, deadlines and expected benefits, involving operators in identifying and implementing improvements.

Standard Work and Workstation Balancing

• Define, document, train and audit standard work, including work instructions, sequences, cycle times and quality checkpoints.
• Carry out time and method studies, balance workstations and lines, and improve ergonomics, tooling, material presentation and flow.

Visual Management and 5S

• Implement and sustain 5S with defined responsibilities and regular audits.
• Develop shop floor visual tools (production boards, KPI displays, shadow boards, floor marking) and run short daily performance meetings at the lines.

Production Planning

• Plan and schedule production in line with customer orders, delivery dates and capacity, in cooperation with Internal Logistics and Production Planning and Commercial.
• Set daily and weekly targets, monitor adherence to plan and on-time delivery, and flag risks with recovery actions early.

Health and Safety at Work

• Drive compliance with health and safety standards, leading by example, ensuring correct PPE use and safe working methods, and acting immediately on unsafe conditions.
• Build safety into standard work and 5S, lead incident and near miss investigations, and run regular safety briefings.

Team Leadership and Performance

• Lead and organise small production teams, including work allocation, appraisals, attendance, first-line disciplinary matters and multi-skilled development.
• Monitor production KPIs (efficiency, output, first-time quality, scrap, adherence to plan) and ensure accurate, timely data entry in PHC.

What We're Looking For

• Degree or Master's in Industrial, Mechanical or Production Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in similar roles in manufacturing, including leading small production teams.
• Proven hands-on Lean implementation (standard work, line balancing, 5S, visual management).
• Experience in production planning, time and method studies, and health and safety at work in manufacturing.
• ERP experience (PHC is an advantage) and proficiency in Excel; knowledge of composites or spa manufacturing is an advantage.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with a practical, results-driven approach.
• Fluent Portuguese and good working English.

Our Values

We are a values-driven business built around Customer First, Responsibility, Energy, Ambition, Teamwork and Excellence.

We look for people who put the customer at the heart of what they do, take responsibility, bring energy and ambition to their role, work well as part of a team, and strive for excellence every day.These values guide how we work together and help us maintain the high standards of quality, service and customer experience that our customers expect.

Why Join Us

• Be part of a fast-growing international business
• Play a key role in our European manufacturing operation (Portcril)
• Join at a genuine turning point for the site, with new product ranges now in production
• Opportunity to make a real impact and influence how we grow
• Work in a collaborative, team-focused environment
• Long-term development opportunities

What We Offer

• Salary aligned with market rates, dependent on experience
• €10.46 daily meal allowance (meal card)
• 13% company-wide bonus scheme (eligible after 6 months' continuous service, subject to financial performance)
• Development and progression opportunities
• Reward, recognition and wellness programme
• Office-based role, Monday to Friday

How to Apply

To apply, please contact [email protected].

If you'd like to find out more about the role before applying, we'd be happy to have a confidential conversation.