Technical Project Leader, Automotive Body Sheets US

Job description

C-TEC OVERVIEW
C-Tec is the Constellium Technology Center. It is a leader in research and technology for aluminum products and related solutions. Its vision is to be our customers' premier choice for innovative, next generation aluminum solutions in all the markets that Constellium serves. C-Tec offers a highly diverse and sophisticated operating environment with access to best in class technologies, thinking and a uniquely diverse operation with 16 nationalities represented. Ultimately, C-Tec is a global center of excellence and thought leadership, where we create the future by developing leading aluminum-based solutions and consequently, it is at the heart of a network that connects the various Constellium businesses worldwide. In the context of Constellium's ongoing developments in aerospace products, Constellium C-Tec is seeking to recruit competent and motivated product development metallurgists. The Metallurgy Group is the largest R&D grouping within C-Tec, contributing to more than 50 projects sponsored by all Constellium Business Units.

This role will be based in our R&D facility, Plymouth - Massachussets.

ROLE OVERVIEW
The primary purpose of the technical project leader position is the day-to-day organization, follow-up and technical facilitation of a group of projects (~5-10 as an order of magnitude, representing an R&D budget of the order of 1.5 M$), all belonging to one single program. The position "technical project leader, ABS US" reports to Plymouth site manager, with a strong functional relationship to the automotive program manager.

The main expectations for this position are:
- structuring the scientific approach of projects under responsibility involving the program manager and (global) technical experts.
- ensuring day-to-day monitoring of project progression and escalating any issue. Managing the project risks to ensure results are delivered on quality, in time and on costs
- training / coaching of R&D engineers active on the project (~5-10). Integrating new hires.

This function may involve having direct responsibility over a group of Project Technicians.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. EHS and security
* Contribute to the zero accident policy of CTEC by leading by example and taking all the appropriate actions to ensure work is performed in total safety (full compliance to all EHS rules, LSTs, incident / near miss reporting etc…)
* Reinforce security mindset within project teams (by e.g. performing security audits, etc…).


2. Projects
Under the functional responsibility of a program manager, lead a set of projects and ensure results are delivered in quality, ontime and on-budget
* Project objectives: Set-up project objectives by fully understanding custmer expectations in close contact with the technical sales teams (TCS). Ensure duble reading of the specification when it exists. Participate in relevant customer meetings.
Kick-off meeting and technical structuration of the projects: organize kick-off meetings of projects, using agreed prject management methodology. Validate apprach (knwledge gaps to be closed, key decisions to be taken, gate planning…) with the Prgram Manager. * Resource management: Align and mtivate R&D engineers and technicians working on projects they are responsible for. Provide help whenever is required to ensure satisfactory project progression. Escalate any issue, which cannot be solved at their level to upper management (program managers, group managers, Plymuth site manager).
* Project risk management: prpose for each project a detailed risk analysis. Think about potential back-up options to ensure project stays on track both technically and time wise.
* IP: write Innovation Records as appropriate and contribute to patent filings together with the IP team.


3. People
* Ensure good integration of new hires. Be an active coach to grow their competencies in all necessary fields. Discuss any specific training need with program manager.
* Be a key actor of the cultural change of the Research Center: promote project management culture within CTEC.
* Promote a culture in which we strive for excellence in everything we do, always looking for improvement opportunities.
* Technical Project Leaders may be in charge of a team of project technicians in which case they have to set their priorities so that results are delivered as efficiently as possible and develop their competencies to meet current and future needs.


4. Quality
* Run or delegate to R&D engineers 8D or root cause analysis exercises, to be performed whenever something goes wrong in a project.
* Continuously evaluate & improve CTEC processes, and in particular project management process.


5. Communication and Networking
* Communicate on project objectives, status, priorities to all team members, including lab personnel not under direct functional responsibility.
* Provide project evaluation and project status to CTEC management on a regular basis, asking for support whenever needed to bring the project back on track.
* Together with the automotive program manager, provide regular updates to the BU teams on project status.
* Participate in appropriate customer meetings in good coordination with TCS teams, to inform customers of project progression.
* Decide together with the automotive program managers and experts IP strategy, participation in external conferences and topics for publication.
* Participate in building the R&D program, in particular by proposing, in alignment with TCS and experts, active collaborations with local customers and scientific network.


ROLE REQUIREMENTS
Knowledge, know-how and technical skills:
A Masters level degree or equivalent in Materials Science or a related physical science is required.Knowledge of project management processes and tools is required.Experience in Aluminum related metallurgy is highly desirable.Experience in an industrial environment is required, ideally with significant insights on aluminium casting and transformation processes. Specialization in automotive materials can be a plus.

Leadership Skills
* Strong management skills to lead and inspire project teams
* Dynamism and tenacity to ensure projects are progressing at the right pace (project management skills), both internally (trial management) and at the customers.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to easily interact with different functions, build and maintain relationships with customers at operational and decision-making levels.
* Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
* Solid intellectual capacity, rigor and curiosity to perform in a challenging and competitive industrial environment.
* Flexibility / Ability to adjust to changing market conditions.


Other skills
Fluency in English is required; a good command of another language is highly desirable.

This position can require a significant amount of business trips, mainly across the US, but potentially on a worldwide basis (order of magnitude can be 25% of total time) and a certain time flexibility.

Desired profile

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About Constellium

Constellium is a world leader in the manufacturing of high-quality aluminium products and solutions.Constellium transforms customer needs into innovative solutions.
Supported by our Technology and Innovation organization, and in collaboration with customers, Constellium produces advanced alloys and cutting-edge technological solutions. To best respond to market needs, Constellium focuses on businesses specializing in rolled products, extrusions and automotive structures.