Description
We are seeking an experienced Head of Exteriors to lead and manage the engineering team in the development and implementation of Automotive products and systems compliant to program targets and homologation requirements.
The successful candidate will have overall responsibility and accountability for body exterior design delivery, resource planning, validation of external partner designs, exterior program delivery, management of departmental budget submission and target compliance, series engineering, engineering warranty, TVM (VAVE), model year introduction design validation and delivery, passive safety compliance through design, and design compliance to programme cost targets.
Key responsibilities include:
- Strategic and tactical responsibility for implementing project engineering design strategy and strategic operational goals to exceed customer expectations for product development, quality, cost and delivery
- Direct responsibility for all exterior design content for new and series vehicles
- Rapid response to line calls from series offering containment and countermeasure solutions to track-based engineering problems
- Responsibility for the design solution to legacy and any future warranty issues across the model range
- Collaboration with internal and external key stakeholders, customer service, manufacturing, sales and customers regarding technical support of their activities
- Driving key performance indicators across all areas of the department to ensure that all projects are delivered on cost and on time to the highest quality standards
- Ensuring health, safety and environmental issues are prioritised and facilitating, directing and driving implementation of lean business strategy and continuous improvement across all engineering-related areas of the business
The ideal candidate will have:
- An experienced exterior system automotive leader of direct and indirect teams
- Cross-functional leadership experience in design principles, exterior mechanisms, plastics and composite material selection and delivery, supplier quality development, and commercial acumen
- Proven ability in delivery project management within an APQP or similar framework
- Large amount of experience in automotive design and development function
- Broad amount of experience in vehicle platform management
- Experience of high-volume and niche vehicle (low-volume) programs
- Relevant experience in exterior design and material technology
- CATIA V5, PC literacy and proficiency with MS Office products
- Knowledge of body engineering simulation and analysis tools and processes
- Strong focus on commercial and financial awareness
- Experience of working overseas
In return, we offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which includes:
- Structured career development framework
- 25 days' holiday, plus bank holiday
- Enhanced company pension scheme
- Discretionary annual bonus award
- Private medical insurance and health cash plan
- Life assurance benefit
- Ability to apply for a sabbatical of up to one year after only two years' service
- Benefits that can be adapted to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
- Generous parental leave policies
- A range of wellbeing initiatives, such as employee assistance programme and free financial and mortgage advice