Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Job Summary

Based in our thriving Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in East Cowes, and reporting into the Director of Manufacturing Engineering, this is a newly created role responsible for leading the ME Technical functions through Functional Leads and Technical Authorities supporting all site programs. These functions include, Materials & Processing, NDT, Industrial Engineering, Tooling & Metrology & CAM.

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager will be responsible for leading a diverse, multi-disciplined, process control focused, departmental engineering team that eliminates defects through deployment of GKN Aerospace Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) tool suite. They will deploy engineering resources to Production & Development Programs and ensure compliance of these deployed teams to the established functional processes. They will deliver robust, capable manufacturing process technology as it applies to both materials, tooling, part fabrication and assembly.

With a wider team of over 40 engineering professionals (estimated 5-7 direct reports), this will predominantly be a people management role, so experience of successfully leading and developing performing teams will be a requisite, however there will also be a certain amount of technical support required, with a main focus on mat lab, so candidates with a background or understanding of material science will be of particular interest.

Relocaton allowance available for applicants currently based on the mainland.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop technical solutions to complex problems. Delivery of a manufacturing system that fulfils all stakeholder requirements including; Safety, Quality, Producibility & Business case
• Lead engineering teams to deliver measurable, metrics driven results in line with Operational and Program goals.
• Deliver class leading engineering solutions to solutions to complex problems
• Develop, deploy and maintain functional engineering standards.
• Develop and deliver manufacturing engineering training strategy for the business. Lead capability & career development of the engineering team.
• Build a culture of process control, Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) mind-set in the manufacturing engineering team.
• Responsible for the implementation of tooling and or production planning, from original concept through to production. Design these processes with a high degree of process capability utilizing the GKN standard ZDM tool suite to demonstrate as such.
• Accountable for product development, new product quotes, tool fabrication quotes, first article development, configuration changes that involve cost estimation, schedule coordination, build process definition, and implementation
• Maintain positive, team relationships with internal and external customers, as well as co-workers.
• Continuously improve production processes by implementing Lean initiatives.
• Exemplifying a safety-first mind-set and ensuring compliance with the GKN Aerospace Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards.

Job Qualifications

• Technical expertise in Manufacturing Engineering, with a professional qualification / background (university degree) in engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical)
• Experience of managing New Product / Process introduction (industrialisation) & existing production process improvements
• Ability to influence people, build trust and establish effective working relationships within a global organisation
• Working knowledge of LEAN processes and practices
• Significant previous experience within Manufacturing Engineering.
• Working knowledge of quality system models such as ISO9000, AS9100, or D1-9000
• Firs class communication skills
• Project / Program Management experience
• Familiarity with AS9145 APQP process or equivalent