Product Line Manager

• Nov 2021 - Present

Project Engineering Manager - Special Vehicle Operations

• Jun 2013 - Jul 2021

Responsible for all aspects of Engineering Team delivery of new components/systems (Bill of Design) on new vehicle programmes, from project planning, concept / virtual simulation, through pre-builds and production launch. Providing focus, leadership and clear communication to achieve robust delivery, on time, to an agreed cost. Reporting out at key gateway events and senior governance reviews.Over the last 2 years performed the role of Engineering Manager for the delivery of the highly successful Land Rover Discovery & Defender Commercial Vehicle derivatives. Show less

Module Leader (Engineering) - Special Vehicle Operations

• Jul 2009 - Jun 2013

Overseeing engineering delivery activities for various components on several different vehicle programmes, including Royal and Diplomatic. Ranging from safety, structural, functional and cosmetic parts. • Project planning – reviewing supplier plans and adherence to corporate product delivery framework and milestones.• Matched pair working with Purchase to negotiate and nominate competent suppliers on time.• Multimillion-pound engineering budget and resource management. Obtaining finance approval at regular stages.• Supplier visits to audit manufacturing processes and strategic capabilities.• Managed a cross functional team for robust engineering delivery and production parts supply.• Reported out at governance reviews and senior technical issues review forums.• Provided technical leadership and detailed product delivery process knowledge to the team. Show less

Group Leader - Seating Systems (Body Engineering)

• Aug 1995 - Jul 2009

Technical leadership & resource responsibility for all aspects of Seating Systems on several vehicle programmes, overseeing all strategic elements relating to this complex commodity system. Responsible for forecasting and deploying engineering resource on live programmes. Acted as Head of Seating Department 2000-2002, responsible for 28 engineers.• Strategic planning and implementation across projects.• Creation of multimillion-pound 5 Year Seating System Strategy in 2001 for; Discovery 3, Range Rover Sport1 & Freelander 2. Collaborative working with Ford & Volvo on opportunities for parts sharing and cost saving. Presented and approved at Director level successfully.• Leading Supplier cost negotiation and writing ‘Statements of Work’ for quotation and nomination.• Innovation strategic project planning and joint working with BMW in Munich over 4 years.• Key role participation in European funded BRITE/EURAM collaborative ‘RECOSEAT’ innovation project over 3-years. Responsible for commodity design and physical test validation. Submitting quarterly reports and billing for European Commission audit and approval.• Provided guidance to engineers for legal regulations and internal performance / safety standards. • Lead role in root cause analysis and successfully resolving all virtual and physical structural performance issues.• Performed technical concept and cost feasibility studies to support future strategic vehicle plans and presenting results to senior management team for agreement.• Lead on; DFMEA, quality, lessons learned team reviews and update of database. Show less

Group Staff Engineer - Seating Systems

• Aug 1993 - Aug 1995

Subject Matter Expert role specialising in Seat Structures & Mechanisms and Just-In-Time assembly.• Updating of all; legal, safety, durability and functional quality performance test standards.• Single point contact providing technical guidance to all seating project engineers.• Lead role in; Warranty, Quality and Safety issue resolution and improvement.• Future planning, interpretation and implementation for all legal international regulations.• Introduction of first rear-centre integrated seat belt structure on to Rover cars. Show less

Project Lead Engineer - Body Engineering

• Oct 1990 - Aug 1993

Designed and implemented a new lightweight front seat back frame for Freelander 1. Produced designs for rotating front seats for a concept 4x4 vehicle.

Lead Engineer

• Sep 1987 - Oct 1990

Product engineering delivering of; Seats, Headlining, parcel shelves, load space side trim and carpets, for Nissan cars. Included 3 months secondment at company Headquarters in Japan to gain expertise in; design, development and manufacture of Interior Parts / Seats including production tooling and JIT assembly methods. Followed by visits to attend prototype builds at Nissan in Japan. Product engineering delivering of; Seats, Headlining, parcel shelves, load space side trim and carpets, for Nissan cars. Included 3 months secondment at company Headquarters in Japan to gain expertise in; design, development and manufacture of Interior Parts / Seats including production tooling and JIT assembly methods. Followed by visits to attend prototype builds at Nissan in Japan.