Production Team Leader Process Engineering
Haag, St. Gallen, CH
About VAT Group
At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions: integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.
Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.
Purpose of the Role
Lead and develop the local Process Engineering team to ensure safe, stable, and capable production processes. The role drives industrialization, continuous improvement, and technical problem-solving to improve quality, productivity, process capability, and manufacturing costs while enabling the successful introduction of new products into serial production.
Responsibilities
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Lead and develop the local Process Engineering team, both functionally and disciplinarily, and collaborate with Process Engineering teams across sites.
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Ensure safe, stable, and capable production processes in compliance with applicable safety regulations and standards.
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Develop and optimize production processes through DARWIN and Continuous Improvement (CIP) activities.
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Provide technical support for process deviations and complex production issues, ensuring sustainable corrective actions using methods such as 8D.
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Support NPI and industrialization activities, ensuring the successful handover of new product developments to serial production.
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Drive improvements in quality, productivity, process capability, and manufacturing costs.
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Develop and optimize manufacturing methods, process flows, and technical standards.
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Develop and maintain training and qualification concepts for production-related processes.
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Apply structured problem-solving and process improvement methods, including 8D, FMEA, SPC, DMAIC, and Six Sigma.
Qualifications
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Higher technical education (HF/FH), a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or a related qualification.
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Very good written and spoken German and English.
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Several years of Process or Manufacturing Engineering experience in an industrial production environment.
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Experience leading or coordinating technical teams and projects, with strong people development skills.
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Strong experience in process optimization, industrialization, and technical problem-solving.
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Practical experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
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Experience with NPI, productivity improvement, and cost-saving initiatives.
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Experience with relevant manufacturing processes such as machining, stamping, or welding.
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Strong analytical and structured problem-solving capabilities.
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Entrepreneurial and cost-conscious mindset with a hands-on, proactive, and results-oriented approach.
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Strong communication and teamworking skills.
Our commitment to inclusion, fairness and equal opportunities
We believe in meaningful careers, continuous learning, and equal opportunities for everyone to drive our innovation and success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. If you have concerns, our compliance channel is available at our website. All reports are handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our Code of Conduct.