Manufacturing Process Engineer - UK's No.1 Soap FMCG. Hybrid

No weekend work! We value your work-life balance. Friday work from home.

"The Bar is Back" - and we need your process expertise, problem-solving skills, and passion for innovation to help us scale from 20 million to 70 million bars a year.

At Soapworks, we create high-quality, sustainable soap products for global brands, and we're searching for a proactive, hands-on Process Engineer to optimise and improve our manufacturing processes as we expand.

From driving process efficiency and product consistency to supporting continuous improvement and introducing new technologies, you’ll play a key role in ensuring safe, smooth, and sustainable operations - helping us hit ambitious growth targets while maintaining exceptional quality standards.

At Soapworks, we do more than produce soap - we also manufacture a variety of personal care products, including hair and body cleansers and aromatic oils. As a valued member of our technical team, you’ll help shape the future of sustainable manufacturing, working alongside a passionate and innovative workforce.

The Role at a Glance:

Process Engineer
Glasgow / Remote Working Fridays
£40,000 - £45,000 per annum DOE + 33 days holiday, rising with service
Plus Excellent Benefits Package Including Pension, Income Protection Benefit, Access to (email address removed) (EAP, GP and Physio Services), Death in Service 3x Annual Salary and More…

Full Time - Permanent
Hours of Work (37.5hrs per week): 8am - 4.30pm (Mon-Thurs), 8am - 3pm (Fri - working from home)

Reporting to: Operations Manager

Values: Ethical, Sustainable, Trusted
Company: UKs Largest Bar Soap Manufacturer with a global customer base
Who’s products Featured In: British Vogue, GLAMOUR, Elle, GQ, Beauty Bay, Stylist Magazine, HELLO! And More…

Your Background / Skills: Experience within a high-volume soap, personal care or FMCG manufacturing environment. Degree in Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or related discipline. Solid understanding of process control, quality standards and equipment performance.

Our Story:

Founded in 1988 by The Body Shop entrepreneur Dame Anita Roddick, Soapworks has always been driven by innovation, exceptional product quality, and a deep commitment to social and environmental responsibility. More than 35 years later, we continue to stand at the forefront of the industry, trusted by 50 of the world’s top brands as a leading supplier and partner.

In 2018, we joined the Daabon Group, a global leader in sustainable and organic ingredients, further strengthening our commitment to ethical and eco-friendly production.

As passionate advocates for sustainability, we are committed to promoting the environmental benefits of bar soaps. Our dedication has earned us numerous awards and certifications, including the prestigious EcoVadis Gold Award for Sustainability, placing us among the top 5% of companies in our sector. But we’re not stopping there - we are actively working towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, ensuring that our impact on the planet is as clean as the products we create.

Beyond business, we believe in making a difference and have a well developed SOAP AID programme where we collaborate with NGOs and Charities to donate life saving soap bars to areas of need or natural disaster across the world demonstrating our commitment to global well-being.

We don’t just make soap - we create products that align with a better, more sustainable future.

The Opportunity:

Soapworks is looking for a proactive and driven Process Engineer to lead the optimisation and innovation of our production processes as we scale up operations.

In this key role, you’ll focus on improving process efficiency, product quality, and operational performance across our soap manufacturing lines - driving continuous improvement and supporting new product introductions in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

With exciting growth plans ahead, we need someone who’s passionate about process excellence, data-driven problem solving, and sustainable manufacturing innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

•    Optimise batch and continuous processes across soap base and finishing lines (mixing, plodding, cutting, stamping, wrapping).
•    Monitor key parameters to improve yield, output, changeovers, quality, safety, and sustainability.
•    Lead root cause investigations and drive effective CAPAs.
•    Develop and standardise process docs, SOPs, and training materials for consistency and efficiency.
•    Collaborate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and R&D on trials, scale-ups, and tech transfers.
•    Deliver continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma tools.
•    Support new product and packaging introductions from an engineering perspective.
•    Assist in commissioning new equipment and upgrades.
•    Ensure full GMP, hygiene, and safety compliance across all processes.
•    Champion a safe, healthy work environment, actively following H&S protocols.

Education/Qualifications:

•    Degree in Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or related discipline
•    Six Sigma Green Belt certification is desirable

Experience/Skills/Knowledge:

•    Proven experience in high-volume soap, personal care, or FMCG manufacturing.
•    Knowledge of plodding and bar finishing processes (highly desirable).
•    Strong grasp of process control, quality standards, and equipment optimisation.
•    Analytical thinker with skill in data interpretation and process improvement.
•    Background in GMP-regulated or hygiene-critical environments.
•    Awareness of sustainable manufacturing practices, including waste, water, and energy reduction.

Aptitudes/Attributes:

•    Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
•    Proficient in the use of MS Office
•    Strong problem-solving skills and continuous improvement mindset
•    Experience with ERP or MES systems and digital manufacturing tools

What’s on Offer:

•    Competitive Market Salary
•    4-weekly pay cycle
•    33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays rising with service
•    Pension
•    Death in Service benefit of 3x basic salary
•    Income Protection Benefit after 1 year in role
•    Access to (email address removed) who provide EAP, GP & Physio services. They also provide information on health, family, money & work, as well as discounts with various retailers.

Sounds like a good fit? Apply here for a fast-track path to our Leadership Team

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