Head of Engineering Transformation and CI

Job description

Are you interested in working at the business end of Aerospace, where airline brand meets innovative passenger experience? Then your next opportunity could be with Safran Seats, an industry award winning, premium designer and manufacturer of First and Business Class seating and technology. Our passenger experience prides itself on innovation, customization, quality and industrial design.

At Safran Seats, we are unique within aerospace, as we interface with both the world's biggest airlines and airframers alike, with the largest seats portfolio of all seats suppliers. One day you could be liaising with one of the world's largest airframers, and the next, some of the biggest airline brands around the world!

In the UK, Safran Seats specialises solely in the First Class and Business Class seating markets for wide body aircraft, with industrial and engineering teams in Cwmbran and Newport, Wales and Brackley, England.

This role has responsibility for leading and coaching the Engineering organisation in developing and driving an effective improvement journey. The role will require the individual to lead teams and engage business leaders in analysing performance, determining processes and tools to improve and driving the programmes and governance to implement the improvements. The Head of Engineering Transformation and CI will be an outstanding leader and have wide-ranging knowledge and experience of problem solving, six-sigma methodologies, lean manufacturing and
continuous improvement tools.

Key Responsibilities will include:
Continuous Improvement (CI)
* Ownership of the Engineering improvement process and able to lead, facilitate and coach the Engineering leadership team in creating and implementing improvement journeys.
* Develop and drive a culture of continuous improvement within the Engineering organisation.
* Developing and leading a team of Improvement Champions within the Engineering function to engage, coach and support in the implementation of this journey.
* Owning the training and coaching of Lean Improvement Tools.
* Drive engagement with Participative Innovation across the Engineering
* Support the engineering function with improving their processes and tools
* Lead the implementation of the Improve Tool within SEATS GB, supported by training and monthly reporting of CI improve initiatives.

Problem Solving Capability
* Working with the VP Engineering and Engineering Leadership team to determine the tools required and scope of Problem Solving Training across the function
* Supporting the Business Transformation and CI in implementing a to train and certify individuals as Six-Sigma Green and Black Belts as well as
ensuring the Engineering function have a pool of skilled personnel in tools such as 8D and Quick Response Quality Control (QRQC)
* Coach, train and mentor employees in problem solving methodology and the use of CI tools

Drive Engineering Improvement Workstreams
* Organise and lead teams in ana

Our in-house design studio co-creates the most innovative experiences in the sky with our airline customers and partners. Our dedicated engineering, production and in-service support facilities are integral to delivering a high-end quality product that we keep flying throughout the life of programme. We are fully supported by a wide team of support functions, from HR to Finance, to Business Development and Planning and Logistics, our team is built to give Safran Seats an end-to-end capability in house in the UK.

Desired profile

Problem Solving 8D
Experience of QRQC
Experience of Lean deployment
Experience of Training and Coaching
Demonstrated ability to lead transformation projects with business level results
Strong Facilitation and Change Management skills

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you!

As a valued member of our team, these are just a few of the benefits you'll receive:
* 25 days holiday + UK Bank Holidays
* Benefits Programme, with a number of schemes such as cycle to work, technology savings, retail discounts and access to private healthcare
* Career Progressions opportunities such as company sponsorship and further training courses
* Family friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoptive parents, shared parental leave, parental leave and flexible working
* Equality & Diversity initiatives with internal groups for workplace engagement and involvement
* STEM engagement with schools, colleges and universities and Charitable activities for all

About Safran UK

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defence and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 92,000 employees and sales of 23.2 billion euros in 2023, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran undertakes research and development programs to maintain the environmental priorities of its R&T and innovation roadmap.
Safran is in the 1st place in the aerospace and defence industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2023" ranking.

With over one million seats equipping the fleets of the major airlines, Safran Seats is one of the world's leading suppliers of seating for passengers, crews and helicopters thanks to innovative and high added-value solutions.