Manufacturing Manager - NPI Automotive £ Competitive Salary DOE Birmingham --- MDE are hiring for an experience Manufacturing Manager to support the NPI manufacturing projects within a fast paced Tier 1 Automotive business based in the Birmingham area. The role focusses on leading, developing and mentoring a multi-site team of NPI Manufacturing Engineers, responsible from concept and quotation right through to specification, maturation and delivery. Always striving for robust and innovative solutions, the Manufacturing Engineering Manager will ensure that all new manufacturing processes and secondary operation equipment is validated and delivered into the regional manufacturing sites meeting agreed programme deliverables, regulatory requirements. Key to the role is an ability to be dynamic and manage a team located across different UK manufacturing sites, via both remote and in person support. The successful individual should be a source of expertise to the business in delivering manufacturing systems with a can-do attitude, commercial acumen and ability to set and drive key departmental KPI's. Role Summary Part of the central NPI Team and reporting to the Group Engineering Director, the role is based at our company headquarters, however regular travel to other  sites will be required. Managing and ensuring that equipment concepts and quotations are provided in support of new business enquiries. Leading a team of approx. 6 Manufacturing Engineers to deliver robust and reliable total manufacturing solutions on time, to budget. Managing external equipment suppliers and defining accountabilities through clear specification, validation and sign off activities. Planning and coordinating the development of key business programs, ensuring effective and efficient delivery. Provide solutions for new production line layouts and optimisations, supporting industrial strategy across regional sites. Identifying areas of manufacturing and design processes where standardisation can be implemented across sites, working together with the in-house automation team Driving compliance to the Manufacturing Engineering elements of the Group NPI Process. Ensure that error proofing and poke yoke methods are integrated into all delivered solutions using risk analysis tools to define requirements. Responsibility to hand over fully de-bugged and approved processes to the various plant manufacturing teams  Ensure that manufacturing procedures follow safety and environmental regulations. Where applicable investigate and plan the introduction of new technology and setting of associated new standards. To assist manufacturing with optimisation of processes and work layouts to ensure adequate capacity is available, maximising existing floor space and minimising material movement using VSM, simulation or related toolsets.  Making technical decisions/ providing guidance to the business related to manufacturing strategy. Deployment of lean principles and tools such as PFMEA, Process Flow, Value Stream Mapping and standard operations. To support HSE team and ensure there is adherence to Health, Safety and Environmental procedures at all times. Keep up to date with current and developing trends in manufacturing. Keep statistical and financial records and work with NPI finance to manage complex budgets. Actively support employee training and development Skills/Knowledge Required Ideally degree qualified, although other qualifications and relevant experience, particularly with an Automotive Tier 1 will also be considered At least 4 years relevant experience as a Manufacturing Manager or equivalent Strategic thinking skills, developing strategy and long-term plans and objectives Management & leadership skills, building a vision that inspires others to perform using a range of leadership styles Able to deal effectively with performance issues and can create and build a sense of trust in the team Promote a culture of trust and engagement, embodying core values Evidence of leading, developing and managing senior technical teams Experience and/or an understanding of automation implementation and control. Experience working cross functionally with other disciplines and reporting to Senior Leadership Commercial skills with an understanding of the cost base to improve profitability monitor budget compliance. Experience of Lean, Kaizen and structured problem solving tools. Experience of raising Cap-Ex and driving cost reduction initiatives. Excellent verbal and written communications skills. Self-motivated with the ability to build working relationships with internal and external stakeholders Ability to deliver results working alone and as part of a team.  Good IT Skills including Microsoft Office applications are essential An understanding of PFMEA and Risk Management, as well as HSE controlling the impacts of manufacturing processes. Full UK driving license with a flexible approach to travel. Please note all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK