A world-class manufacturer of model railway products, and leading publisher of magazines and books, PECO was established in 1946 and is a forward-looking family company with a long tradition of innovative thinking. Located in the picturesque village of Beer in East Devon, we produce high specification, technically superior model railway track, plastic kits, and accessories for the model railway hobby at our two manufacturing sites at Beer and Buckfastleigh. We also publish the UK’s best-selling model railway magazine, the Railway Modeller. Our market-leading products and publications are distributed to businesses and retailers throughout the UK and in more than 30 countries around the world.
Alongside the factory and head office in Beer is Pecorama where we host a number of railway themed events throughout the season. Pecorama has award winning gardens, stunning sea views and one of Britain’s finest 7.25-inch gauge railways, where a fleet of steam locomotives pull passenger-carrying trains on a mile long route through the grounds, over bridges, through steep-sided cuttings and a long, dark tunnel. As a company we have experienced significant growth over recent years enabling us to expand production, and we now have a team of 140 people. This is an exciting opportunity to join PECO and be part of our amazing journey.
A bit about the role
Reporting into the Head of Manufacturing, this is a new role for PECO created as a direct result of our strategic priority to take rail production in house. A bold move for PECO, this will help secure the supply of one of our most important core products and strengthen our position in the market for the future. With our machinery sourced and installed, we are in a position to recruit, grow and develop the technical capability to run our new rail department. The Rail Department Engineer is responsible for setting and running different rail profiles using the various machines on site, ensuring these are delivered safely, on time, on budget, and to the required quality standard. This person acts as the key interface between engineering, production, supply chain, and quality, ensuring that the ongoing development of equipment and profiles are managed and maintained.
Role responsibilities
· Manage end‑to‑end manufacturing of all rail profile activities
· Develop your department and manage new project plans, schedules, budgets, and resource requirements
· Ensure that operational and product costs are accurately calculated, reported and reviewed regularly in line with existing system requirements
· Track progress against plans, managing dependencies and resolving issues proactively
· Maintain availability of key products
· Assess the ongoing need for equipment for large scale/different profiles
· Identify future machine replacements, purchases, investments etc
· Ensure appropriate record keeping and documentation is in place including maintaining process flows and standard operating procedures as required
· Operate, set up, and optimise machinery as required
· Train, mentor, and develop team members to ensure high levels of capability and consistency
A bit about you. You will need to
· Have attention to detail
· Have proven mechanical problem-solving skills to resolve manufacturing challenges
· Know engineering processes including rolling and cutting various profiles working to tight tolerances
· Have knowledge of CAD and an ability to read technical documentation
· Have experience of machines such CNC lathes to create and maintain profiled rollers
· Have knowledge of quality systems and relevant regulatory requirements
· A good understanding of IT, including Microsoft Office
· Be a clear and confident communicator at all levels
· Demonstrate strong leadership
· Have an ability to work both independently and collaboratively
· Be a structured, analytical problem solver
· Have commercial awareness and delivery focus
· Be resilient and adaptable
*As this is a new department, this list is not exhaustive and may vary or be added to from time to time
Success measures
· Project delivery to cost, quality, and schedule
· Safety and quality performance
· Customer satisfaction
· Effective risk and change management
Pay: £28,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Canteen
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free or subsidised travel
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
