LOCATION:

Coventry

SALARY:

Competitive

PERMANENT/FIXED:

Permanent

Application Reference Number: 0034

Head of Manufacturing Engineering

About the role:

The Head of Manufacturing Engineering will have overall responsibility and accountability for the Manufacturing Engineering function across the organisation which will include people, technical and budgetary management.   

The Manufacturing Engineering function will cover some or all of the following definition within its business: Invents, researches, develops, designs, stimulates, controls, builds, tests, improves, validates, maintains and project manages: structures; machines; devices; systems; vehicles; components; materials; algorithms; and processes to required standards of quality, cost, timing, delivery and safety. 

Key accountabilities and responsibilities 

Strategy and Development 

• Overall responsibility for Manufacturing Engineering activities across the business in the field of lithium-ion battery cell and module & pack manufacturing. 
• Create and implement best practice engineering vision, strategy, procedures and processes to aid and improve business performance. 
• Contribute to overall business strategy and annual budget process. 
• Understand and define the technology landscape for lithium-ion battery cell and module & pack technology across all sectors. 
• Identify critical technologies shaping the future of battery manufacturing and build them into programs. 

General and Task Management 

• Coordinate with Manufacturing Operations to ensure manufacturability of battery cells and module & packs while maintaining quality, safety and environmental standards and achieving cost targets in a timely fashion. 
• Develop planning and prioritise processes to ensure that multi-disciplinary resource is well aligned to maximise delivery of projects. 
• Ensure that engineering strategies and processes are in place to meet business objectives and operational needs in terms of price, quality and delivery targets, which enables the company to function and compete effectively in the market. 
• Report on Engineering activities on a regular basis to the team of Directors, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of the relevant Key Performance Indicators. 
• Work with Commercial and Product Engineering department on technology and market opportunities. 

People Management 

• Provide leadership, coach, mentor and develop direct reports and manage a high performing team that delivers continuous improvement, added value and cost reductions. 
• Ensure strong communication between teams under leadership to facilitate exchange of information and in order to implement change and improvements. 
• Responsible for developing the appropriate organisational structure, resource plans and culture to support the business objectives and customer deliverables. 

Financial Budget and Control 

• Prepare the annual Engineering budget and forecasts and all Capital Expenditure proposals as well as ensuring compliance with customer and legal requirements. Manage the budget from identification to completion of projects. 
• Input and hold responsibility for manufacturing engineering budget.   

Relationship Management 

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance. 
• Communicate with stakeholders the impact of market and technology change and potential effects on engineering.   
• Contribute to new business initiatives and projects and review and communicate the impact on engineering activities 
• Appraising and interpreting client requirements to ensure that technical, legislative and commercial aspects are delivered on each project. 

Self-Management 

• Inspires and motivates the team. 
• Consistently manages performance firmly and fairly. 
• Knows and develops the team. 
• Resilient, optimistic and open to change. 
• Is self-aware. 
• Shows moral courage, openness and honesty in all dealings. 
• Is confident, assertive and self-assured. 
• Self-motivated and able to work well under pressure. 

Required Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• Experience in lithium-ion battery technology is a plus.  
• Demonstrable experience of leading an engineering function with a proven track record in strategic engineering leadership delivering effective engineering strategies, processes and systems. 
• Ability to add value, reduce costs and make business improvements.  
• Proven project management and supplier experience.  
• Experience of operating and influencing at a strategic level.  
• Knowledge and technical understanding of automotive processes, components and design techniques. 
• Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to optimise team performance and development.  
• Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to engage, negotiate and manage key stakeholders and suppliers.  
• Strong and confident negotiator with the ability to negotiate at all levels.  
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills.  
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.  
• Results-orientated with ability to plan and deliver against project deadlines.  
• Commercially and financially astute with experience of managing budgets.  
• Technical mindset.  

Desirable:

• Resilient, optimistic and open to change.  
• Is self-aware.  
• Shows moral courage, openness and honesty in all dealings.  
• Is confident, assertive and self-assured.  
• Self-motivated and able to work well under pressure.  

Personal attributes:

• Educated to degree level (preferably Masters) in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent NVQ Level 7 qualification.  
• Fellow or Chartered Member of an industry-related Professional Body.

Application Reference Number: 0034