Engineering Manager in NETHERLANDS

About ViCentra

ViCentra is an innovative medical device company based in Utrecht, The Netherlands. ViCentra focuses on the research and development, manufacturing and commercialization of a ground-breaking device for the management of diabetes.

Kaleido, one of the smallest and one of the lightest insulin pump system currently available, is designed to help people with diabetes live life on their own terms:

"For us, super accurate insulin delivery and improved control are non-negotiables, but discretion, simplicity and choice is our way of helping you live life in your own way".

Driven by ViCentra's desire to be meaningfully different, Kaleido aims to reduce the impact that diabetes can have on daily life. Utilizing Bluetooth wireless technology, Kaleido infuses colour and choice into the market, networking its hybrid patch pumps and handsets into a broader family of easy-to-use products and data services to create a customer-focused, integrated diabetes support service.

With CE mark, in-house software development and manufacturing, ViCentra is setting its sights on expanding insulin pump usage by appealing to both first time and experienced insulin pump users in the Netherlands. At the same time, we are preparing for FDA approval expansion into additional territories and establishing partnerships in digitalization and connectivity.

Funded by the venture capitalists EQT, INKEF, Invest-NL, Partners in Equity, and Health Innovations, ViCentra currently employs over 130 people from over 30 different nationalities.

The position

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager will play a pivotal role in leading and supporting the Manufacturing Engineering Team focused on sustaining and improving our internal manufacturing processes, equipment and facilities.

The overall goal of the Manufacturing Engineering Team is to ensure that our internal manufacturing lines producing Insulin Cartridges and Infusion Sets are always available to reliably produce quality product in the volumes required to support ViCentra’s ambitious growth plans.

In order to achieve this the Manufacturing Engineering Manager will be leading the process engineering and maintenance engineering teams.

The process engineers will focus on sustaining and continuously improving the internal validated manufacturing processes driving for product always meeting quality specifications, maximizing line output and reducing product cost. They investigate and resolve manufacturing process issues, identify and implement process improvements and ensure all required product & process changes and improvements are implemented through proper use of change control in close collaboration with R&D and QA/QC and while maintaining a validated process at all times.

The maintenance engineering team will focus on maximizing the availability/uptime of all manufacturing equipment, utilities and facility through robust business continuity risk assessment and solid maintenance systems/processes while continuously reducing the overall maintenance service cost.

They timely execute planned/preventive maintenance, deliver fast investigation and resolution for technical breakdowns minimize the time to recover and identify and implement technical improvements to manufacturing equipment and facilities all aimed at maximizing uptime of equipment and facilities.

We are seeking a dynamic people leader who can lead the Manufacturing Engineering team to develop and implement a clear Engineering strategy and organization quickly showing actual results and measurable improvements. Driving operational excellence, he/she fosters technical and process innovation and ensures effective collaboration across teams to deliver the overall ViCentra Operations goals and objectives. As a leader and coach for his team, the Manufacturing Engineering Manager shall have good hands-on engineering experience enabling him to support team members on specific technical issues in a medical device regulated environment where required.

The ideal candidate will possess the ability to think strategically, has strong leadership skills, relevant technical expertise and will be pro-active/self-driven to a high degree and flexible to deliver solutions with the team in a very demanding – high growth environment requiring clear priority setting managing limited resource.

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager will be part of the ViCentra Operations Leadership Team (OLT) reporting to the VP Operations and will in this Operations Leadership Team role be exposed to and required to contribute to overall ViCentra Business and Operations Strategy development and implementation working closely with OLT colleagues responsible for Manufacturing, Manufacturing Scaling, Supply Chain and PMO – Project Management.

Main Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead, mentor, and support the manufacturing engineering team, assisting engineers in prioritizing work and making sound engineering decisions.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment, promoting teamwork and knowledge sharing among team members.
• Support installation, validate and implement internal manufacturing processes and equipment. Ensure processes and equipment are supported on an ongoing basis.
• Develop and maintain the Manufacturing Engineering strategy aligned with the ViCentra Business and Operations strategic goals and closely manage implementation of the strategy delivering measurable improvements towards the strategic goals. Ensure high standards are being set in delivering solid engineering support and allowing our manufacturing organization to deliver the required increasing volumes of high quality product.
• Focus on a culture of continuous improvement by providing a clear process that delivers real/measurable continuous improvement (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery) while supporting the team to develop the skills and gaining the experience to be successful.
• Challenge the team to deliver continuous improvement but ensure this is actually delivered by providing clear responsibilities, project approach, resources and investment.
• Work closely with R&D and QA/QC leadership to optimize collaboration across the departments and drive for clear processes and roles & responsibilities to ensure the Manufacturing Engineering Team can progress required projects/actions focusing on delivering a result and not having to debate process and approach continuously.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of area budgets through cost and spending analysis.
• Stay informed about new manufacturing technologies and equipment to drive efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve competitiveness.
• Contribute to development and implementation of the ViCentra manufacturing scaling and automation strategy working closely together with the Director Industrialisation & Automation on the Operations Leadership Team.

The ideal candidate to join our team should be energetic, positive and pro-active!

You’ll also have:

Education/Experience:

• Master’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or related field).
• A minimum 8+ years of experience in a high volume/low cost manufacturing environment in the engineering function with a focus process development/validation, equipment/facility maintenance and continuous improvement both technical innovation and process optimization.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• Experience in medical device manufacturing is required, preferably experience on specific technologies like leak testing, ultrasonic welding and sterile barrier packaging systems.
• Proven track record of optimizing manufacturing/maintenance processes, delivering significant output increases and reducing both department and product unit costs.
• Experience with project management in a technical environment (new equipment installation, technical upgrade of equipment, facility expansion)
• Preferably experience with development, installation and supporting automation concepts on high volume discrete manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.

What we offer

In addition to working on a ground-breaking new product, you’ll be working in a small, friendly and highly motivated team; all ideas are welcomed, and great work is rewarded. We’re also offering:

• A very competitive salary + an additional 8% holiday pay (paid annually)
• Up to 46 days leave per year (25 days’ holiday per year + up to 13 ADV days per year + 8 optional purchase days)
• Pension scheme
• Flexi-working, where full time its 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day to be worked anytime between 07:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday
• Commuting allowance
• Laptop + mobile phone allowance
• Competitive relocation package and assistance if needed
• Assistance for 30% ruling application if applicable
• Free, on-site parking
• Subsidised gym membership
• Bike Scheme
• Informal dress code
• A work environment where you can develop your skills, learn from the best and be rewarded for your imagination
• Creative office vibe with a picnic area and ping pong table
• Meaningful work with the opportunity to make a difference