Senior Productivity & Cost Optimisation Engineer

Location: UK - Hull HC House, UK - Hull GBU Office

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Life. Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.

We are currently searching for a Senior Productivity & Cost Optimisation Engineer.

The Senior Productivity & Cost Optimisation Engineer is a strategic, technically grounded professional responsible for identifying, shaping and advancing high-impact cost reduction and value improvement initiatitves across the AMW business.

This role plays a critical role in delivering gross margin improvement by building and sustaining a strong pipeline of opportunities, translating ideas into viable concepts, and enabling their progression into the project life cycle. The role also provides technical leadership and guidance across the franchise, strengthening overall business capability.

What will you be doing?

Opportunitiy Identification & Idea Generation

• Proactively identify cost reduction and value improvement opportunities across products, processes, and operations
• Lead structured ideation sessions, workshops, and cross-functional engagements to uncover new opportunities
• Apply technical knowledge and curiosity to challenge existing processes and identify innovative solutions

Pipeline Development & Management

• Own and manage the early-stage productivity pipeline, ensuring consistent flow of high-quality opportunities
• Guide ideas through defined evaluation stages, ensuring appropriate prioritisation and progresion
• Maintain visibility of pipeline health, value and maturity in line with business targets

Technical Expertise & Continuous Learning

• Develop and maintain strong knowledge of products, materials, and manufacturing processes
• Act as a subject matter expert in key areas, using this expertise to generate and refine opportunities
• Continuously expand technical and commercial understanding to enhance impact

Concept Development & Evaluation

• Lead the assessment of opportunities, including technical feasibility, risk and financial impact
• Collaborate with finance and operational stakeholders to validate assumptions and value delivery

Governance & Reporting

• Ensure all pipeline activities are captured, tracked, and reported in line with business standards
• Contribute to regular reviews of pipeline performance, value delivery, and strategic alignment

What will you need to be successful?

• Degree in Engineering, Science, or related disipline, or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated experience in manufacturing, engineering, operations or project management environments
• Proven exposure to continuous improvement, cost optimization, or value engineering activities is highly desirable