Process Engineer

At Eakin Healthcare, we put patients at the heart of everything we do. We are a family-owned global medical device company with a proud heritage of innovation and care. We deliver innovative solutions across Ostomy, Respiratory, and Surgical therapies, along with our Respond home delivery service. Founded over 50 years ago, we now have a team of over 700 dedicated people across three UK manufacturing sites, 12 international sales and distribution centres and export to over 60 countries. We’ve been recognised as a Great Place to Work®! And we’re proud to be named among the Best Workplaces in Healthcare and Best Workplaces for Women.

At Eakin Healthcare, we’re united by one mission: working together to improve lives - just like we’ve been doing for over five decades.

WHY JOIN US?

We’re good at what we do – come and join us and you can benefit from:

• Blended Working
• Bonus
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (rising to 28)
• Option to buy holiday days
• Wellbeing Programme
• Health Cash Plan
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Referral Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Free Parking

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Head of Engineering & CI this is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team, and work across various functions. Working in close partnership with Operations, Quality & Research and Development teams to ensure all production requirements are in place for all new products and continuously reviewing and improving our manufacturing systems within the Coleraine plant - implementing change where appropriate. This role is a partially hands on role and will suit an individual who can quickly build professional working relationships, work within a team and enjoy working to a high degree of autonomy.

KEY ACTIVITIES

Operational

• Be the internal ‘Subject Matter Expert’ for the manufacturing Processes you have been assigned.
• Being ‘visible’ and running daily standups at the line. Central to this role is monitoring existing Processes ensuring they are operating to their designed efficiency and output, leading actions when there are any identified issues.
• Maintaining process maps & pFMEAs for the Processes you have been assigned, regularly assessing process controls throughout the manufacturing environment.
• In accordance with internal change management, implement process improvements and keeping under review the effectiveness of changes.
• Liaise with the Quality team to ensure technical specifications and process validations are in place in a timely manner in accordance with the Site Master Validation Plan.
• Advise and coordinate with the Head of Engineering & CI on any new equipment, tooling etc required for new products or process improvements ensuring the lead times are considered against project plans for product launches.
• Work alongside the production team to identify skills required from production operators and develop these to achieve team goals.

Lean Manufacturing

• Development of lean manufacturing principles in areas you have been assigned.
• Contribute to lean manufacturing systems, visual management & 5S.

Group

• Occasionally work on multi-site projects with the wider group operations and engineering teams.
• Collaborate on benchmarking & best practice sharing.

Other

• To adhere to the company’s Equal Opportunities policy and Dignity at work policy in all activities and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.
• To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the company’s’ Health and Safety policy.
• To adhere to the company’s Quality policy and Environmental policy.
• To undertake other duties as may be reasonably required.

KEY SKILLS

Essential

• A degree / HND or be working towards an equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline.
• Applicants with an HNC (or be working towards an equivalent qualification) will be considered if they have exceptional relevant experience.
• Previous manufacturing experience in a similar role.
• Awareness of continuous improvement methods to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), quality, reduce cost, inefficiencies and waste.
• Hold a valid driving licence and able to travel internationally if required.
• Good working knowledge of MS Excel.
• Able to use 2D CAD systems e.g. AutoCAD.
• Able to demonstrate a Working knowledge of electro-mechanical systems.

Desirable

• Knowledge of ISO 13485 quality systems or an equivalent highly regulated environment.
• Have a proven track record as a process ‘subject matter expert’ with the technical depth to adapt this knowledge to new technologies.
• Previous experience of improvement projects in Lean manufacturing tools, to demonstrate use of some of the following tools: lean six sigma, Kaizan, 5S, Standard work, Kanban and value stream mapping.
• Experience with Automation and robotic control systems.
• Experience of manual assembly production processes.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

• Operations – supporting onsite manufacturing Processes ensuring they are delivering to their designed output and efficiency. Undertake Process Capability studies to ensure we have stable manufacturing processes.
• Quality – responsible for Process Validation to the site Validation Master Plan.
• R&D – to ensure all product development requirements are translated to manufacturing.
• Commercial team – through the NPD process ensure all manufacturing requirements are scoped out at an early stage.
• Procurement – to ensure availability of materials to meet key miles stones. Supporting the validation of any material changes.
• Key Manufacturing team members – to liaise with department supervisors to ensure skills analysis and training is actioned. Deal with any trouble shooting maintenance issues and ensure effectiveness of key process controls. Work in partnership with the team to support the attainment of production targets.
• Finance – To provide input to the costing model for new products.
• Group – Network with group colleagues for own personal development and sharing best practice.

External

• Contractors – Outsourcing relevant work, scope out ad hoc projects, source new tools, equipment etc.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Provide input to the annual budgetary process and contribute to key budgetary decisions.
• Occasional Travel Requirements.

COMPETENCIES

Customer Focus

Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.

Manages Complexity

Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.

Action Oriented

Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.

Optimizes Work Processes

Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Collaborates

Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

Persuades

Using compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others.

Instils Trust

Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity and authenticity.

Nimble Learning

Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.