Production Engineer – Lean Operations

Polypipe is hiring a Production Engineer - Lean Operations for its Polypipe Aylesford site. This full-time role places you at the centre of everyday production performance, where you can strengthen lean ways of working and help the operation run more smoothly and efficiently.

Role Overview

The Production Engineer - Lean Operations at Polypipe Aylesford supports the site by applying practical lean methods to real manufacturing challenges. You will work closely with production teams, supervisors and engineering colleagues to improve flow, remove waste and embed repeatable, well-controlled processes. The focus is on hands-on problem-solving and lasting change rather than one-off projects, so you will spend significant time on the shop floor understanding constraints, testing ideas and helping people adopt better daily practices. Success means clearer standards, more stable output and a culture where continuous improvement is simply how work is done.

Core Duties

• Map current production processes and identify opportunities to reduce waste, variation and non-value-adding activity
• Plan and deliver lean improvement actions such as 5S, standard work, visual management and line-balance initiatives
• Facilitate root-cause investigations when process reliability, quality or throughput falls short of target
• Define and track simple performance measures, then use the data to guide the next wave of improvements
• Coach operators and team leaders in lean tools so solutions stick and people own the results
• Support the safe introduction of process or equipment changes, ensuring updated work instructions and training are in place
• Contribute to daily production meetings and escalation routines, keeping improvement activities openly aligned with operational priorities
• Document successful practices so they can be shared and standardised across shifts and related areas at Polypipe Aylesford

Skills & Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in manufacturing, production, mechanical or a related engineering discipline
• Demonstrable experience applying lean principles inside a production or manufacturing environment
• Confident use of continuous-improvement methods such as value-stream thinking, PDCA, 5S and structured problem-solving
• Strong analytical ability, including collecting plant-floor data and turning it into clear actions
• Clear written and verbal communication skills for working with operators, technicians and leaders
• A practical, organised approach with the resilience to drive change while production is running
• Familiarity with health, safety and quality expectations in a manufacturing setting

Why Join Polypipe

Polypipe is hiring for this Production Engineer - Lean Operations role and offers a supportive team environment. Based at Polypipe Aylesford, the full-time position gives you the chance to make a direct, visible contribution to how production works every day while developing your own lean and engineering craft alongside experienced colleagues.

Applying for This Role

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