Manufacturing Engineer – Digitization, Automation & Lean Transformation

We are seeking hands-on Manufacturing Engineers to act as on-the-ground transformation agents across EMEA plants. The role combines Industrial Engineering, shopfloor Kaizen, Lean Operating System deployment, practical digitization and targeted automation to unlock capacity, stabilize ramp-ups and deliver validated business benefits. Success means implemented countermeasures, sustained standards and measurable KPI improvement at the Gemba. 

Why this role matters 

• Shape, not maintain: build systems, standards and capabilities from the ground up across a rapidly scaling manufacturing network. 
• Work close to the action: spend most of the time on the factory floor with operators, supervisors, engineers and plant leadership. 
• Deliver visible business impact: unlock capacity, stabilize ramp-ups, reduce waste, improve flow and translate improvements into Finance-validated benefits. 
• Accelerate the future of operations by connecting Lean, data, MES, automation, material flow and daily management into one practical transformation agenda. 

Key responsibilities 

Digitization & data-driven operations 

• Assess current digital maturity and support site-specific digitization roadmaps linked to operations priorities and business-critical gaps. 
• Implement or support MES, digital work instructions, real-time production dashboards, digital standard work and paperless quality systems. 
• Enable IoT sensors, machine connectivity, data acquisition and clear data ownership to improve shopfloor visibility and decision-making. 
• Establish practical data definitions, governance and daily-use routines so digital tools become part of execution, not just reporting. 

Automation & CapEx delivery 

• Identify and prioritize automation opportunities using structured ROI, NPV and IRR analysis, including 12% discount-rate assumptions where required. 
• Support concepts, specifications, commissioning and handover for robotics, cobots, automated material handling, fixtures, test automation and vision systems. 
• Manage or support automation CapEx work from idea through validation, operator training, handover and post-launch stabilization. 
• Capture lessons learned and help build automation standards and playbooks that can be replicated across the EMEA network. 

Industrial Engineering, Lean & Operational Excellence 

• Lead time studies, work measurement, line balancing, takt/capacity calculations, labour optimization, layout and material-flow improvements. 
• Lead shopfloor Kaizen events: identify opportunities at Gemba, define scope, run workshops, implement countermeasures and ensure sustainment. 
• Translate OPS priorities - capacity increase, cost-out, lead time, delivery, quality losses and productivity - into clear charters with targets, timing and owners. 
• Deploy foundational Lean systems: 5S, standard work, visual management, Tier meetings, leader standard work, VSM, DMS and problem-solving routines. 
• Apply A3, 8D, PDCA, DMAIC, 5-Why, fishbone and Pareto methods to eliminate waste and prevent recurrence. 
• Ramp-up, stabilization & production readiness 
• Support new and existing assembly, sub-assembly and test-line ramp-ups through readiness checks, bottleneck removal and daily performance control. 
• Create standard work, SOPs, training material, operator certification logic and clear ownership for new or transformed processes. 
• Drive rapid issue resolution during new product, transfer, greenfield or acquisition-related ramp-ups and ensure stable handover to plant teams. 

Benefits realization, coaching & change management 

• Own benefits from baseline to validation: quantify gains, document assumptions and lead Finance sign-off for savings, capacity and productivity impact. 
• Coach engineers, supervisors, team leaders and operators in new ways of working so improvements remain owned and sustained by the site. 
• Influence without formal authority, overcome resistance constructively and provide clear A3/project updates to plant and EMEA leadership.