Engineering and Maintenance Manager (Darlaston, GB)

## Engineering & Maintenance Manager - Darlaston: A Strategic Leadership Opportunity This Engineering & Maintenance Manager role at ZF Lemforder UK Limited in Darlaston presents a compelling opportunity for an experienced leader to significantly impact manufacturing operations. As a vital member of the Plant Leadership Team, this position offers a unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on involvement, crucial for driving world-class equipment availability and operational efficiency.

Key Advantages for Aspiring Candidates:

• Strategic Impact: You will be instrumental in shaping the future of plant operations, focusing on delivering superior equipment availability, process capability, and robust infrastructure. This is a chance to lead significant initiatives and see your strategies come to fruition.
• Holistic Responsibility: The role encompasses a broad spectrum of critical areas, including process engineering, facilities management, EHS systems, automation, and the deployment of continuous improvement methodologies. This provides an excellent platform for developing a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing excellence.
• Leadership & Development: You'll have the opportunity to lead, motivate, and develop a multi-disciplinary engineering and maintenance team. This involves fostering a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement, offering significant professional growth and team-building experience.
• Technological Advancement: The role actively drives automation initiatives, including robot and AGV implementation, and the integration of digital manufacturing platforms. Candidates with a keen interest in Industry 4.0 will find this particularly engaging.
• Operational Excellence Focus: A core aspect of this role is the deployment of the ZF Production System (ZFPS), a framework designed for lean manufacturing and continuous improvement. This is an invaluable opportunity to gain expertise in globally recognized operational excellence standards.
• Compliance & Sustainability: A strong emphasis is placed on Health, Safety, Environment, and Compliance, including ISO standards and energy reduction initiatives. This allows for contributing to a safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible workplace.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Breadth of Experience Required: This role demands a strong background in both mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines, coupled with proven experience in CAPEX project delivery, TPM, and lean manufacturing. Candidates should assess their existing skill set against these requirements.
• Automotive/Manufacturing Expertise: A solid track record in automotive or manufacturing engineering and maintenance leadership is essential. Candidates from related heavy industries may also be considered, but direct experience in the automotive sector will be highly advantageous.
• Leadership Acumen: The ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams is paramount. This includes setting clear objectives, managing performance, and fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Problem-Solving & Analytical Skills: Success in this role hinges on strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. The ability to rapidly identify root causes and implement effective solutions is critical for maintaining operational efficiency.
• Financial & IT Literacy: Candidates should possess solid financial acumen for budget management and ROI analysis, along with proficiency in CMMS and manufacturing systems (MES/DMP).
• Strategic vs. Hands-On Balance: While strategic thinking is essential, the role also requires a hands-on approach. Candidates should be comfortable in both environments, from strategic planning to overseeing day-to-day maintenance activities.
• Compliance & Audits: Familiarity with various ISO standards and customer-specific requirements (e.g., IATF16949, JLR, Ford, BMW) is expected. The ability to confidently support customer audits will be a key responsibility.

This Engineering & Maintenance Manager position offers a significant opportunity for a seasoned professional to contribute to a leading automotive supplier and advance their career in operational excellence and manufacturing leadership. If you possess the required experience and are seeking a challenging and rewarding role, this opportunity warrants serious consideration.