10 Skills driving engineering and manufacturing forward in 2018

Our Michael Page Engineering and Manufacturing team predicts that the positions in highest demand during 2018 will be those which address dwindling margins. Drawing on our decades of experience in the sector, we’ve put together a list of the most in-demand skills within engineering and manufacturing as we enter the New Year. These are the skills we’re looking for in candidates when recruiting for our clients; skills that are set to really drive the sector forward in 2018.

Skilled supplier development managers are in high demand and competition for top talent is fierce. Never has the need for cost management been so prevalent in the industry than it is today. Professionals with the skills and experience to effectively collaborate with suppliers will not only improve their processes and manufacturing capacity but will ultimately reduce costs in the production process.

Boosting efficiency and minimising waste are the key areas for businesses looking to increase their profit margins. Be sure the talent on your team is skilled and experienced in lean manufacturing processes or continuous improvement. These professionals can systematically drive value and reduce wastage costs through improving your manufacturing processes. 

Large, high-value projects are becoming commonplace, particularly given the UK Government has ploughed billions into numerous infrastructure projects in recent years, many of which are now well underway. Outside the construction sector, large technology projects also require sound project management skills. It is crucial for professionals on your team to have a comprehensive understanding of such complex projects. Talent with the capacity to switch focus between multiple priorities and effectively manage resources is key.

Customer satisfaction is a key measurement of business success. To instil confidence within clients, it is important that user-friendly customer interfaces are designed and delivered. As technology is rapidly evolving there is growing demand for customer interface engineers, whether to serve a new product or to update an existing system. New products are being developed constantly and the fight to stay ahead of the competition is increasing; to ensure you are leading the way in your business sector be sure you are hiring talented professionals that can create innovative and efficient customer interface systems.

Unexpected breakdowns of manufacturing machines can be very expensive, which is why planned downtime and scheduled replacements of older parts to avoid unexpected issues have never been more important. Having the right people managing your business’ preventative maintenance planning is essential at a time when demand for UK products is at an all-time high. Professionals skilled in this area will be invaluable in ensuring your operations are up and running effectively and efficiently throughout 2018 and beyond.

In order to keep up with increasing demand, ensuring the quality and delivery of competitively priced products, while improving processes and the flow of manufacturing operations, is essential. Skilled manufacturing engineers drive innovation and increase efficiency within a process and could be the key to increased output and lower production costs. Be sure you have professionals with a proven track record of implementing new and improved processes that are more efficient and cheaper to run on your team this year.

The market has faced many challenges in light of the Brexit vote. There is an increased need to manage processes more efficiently than ever before and to ensure costs are controlled effectively to address dwindling margins, professionals skilled in quality management are rising to the top. As negotiations between the UK and EU over Brexit roll on over the coming months and years, it is crucial you have the right quality managers in your business. 

In the ever-changing economic environment, the ability to adapt and evolve is crucial in order to withstand the uncertainties the UK market is set to face throughout the ongoing Brexit negotiations. Change is always inevitable, so it is important for manufacturing businesses to be flexible. Top level professionals who are dexterous, change-driven and skilled strategic decision-makers, will be your champions to help shift direction through innovation and enhanced agility.

Professionals with a keen eye for managing costs and efficiency when introducing new programmes are perennially important in the current market. The need to run processes smoothly to meet high demand and hit profit margins, relies heavily on the strategic and tactical planning of skilled programme management professionals. Having the right people proposing, developing and launching new programmes, as well as maintaining existing plans, is fundamental in ensuring that your business costs are managed effectively against the backdrop of the current economic climate.

As new projects come up or unexpected situations arise, the ability to adapt in order to manage multiple tasks, projects and situations at once is essential. During a time of huge political and social change, the ability to adapt to changing work conditions and challenging circumstances, has never been so crucial. By ensuring your team is adaptable and can work efficiently during times of increased workloads and pressures, or can easily switch to a different role when required, you will be best placed to meet challenges with focus and strategic navigation. What works today may not work tomorrow, so it is essential that the people you hire have a strategy for change at every turn.

Be sure you have the right talent on your team. For a confidential discussion about how we can help source and attain top talented engineering and manufacturing professionals for your business, get in touch with one of our specialist recruitment consultants. We have a proven track record of completing assignments with organisations ranging from SMEs to blue-chip multinationals, through our consultative approach. We’ve earned the trust of businesses, nationally, within the industrial and FMCG sectors through building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.