My responsibility is to represent my UK company in face-to-face communications with our customers (Daimler Group, Chrysler, Karmann, Brose, Intier). I take on and progress unresolved items not only from quality but also other domains (e.g. logistics, project management, packaging and handling as well as quality support to some of our German sister plants). I’m also involved in the communication and start up phase in New Product Development, working with the customer Quality, Purchasing and Design departments. The fulfilment of my duties involves regular air travel (to Germany on average every 6 weeks as well as occasionally to the USA) to deal with customers and sister plants in various locations, at all levels of management. Information received on these visits is conveyed back to the plant by means of a visit report and, where required, action / taskforce meetings to get open issues resolved.

With this company in Germany my responsibilities were to ensure that all press-tool projects (up to 35 at any one time) were on track, within the specified cost limits and quality objectives, which also involved the submission of weekly progress reports to the plant manager. In addition I was responsible for continuous improvement as well as cost reduction activities and achieved savings in the range of around Euro 150.000 per annum. Press tool size varied between 5 and 25 tons with an average project duration of 8-12 months. Key customers included Volkswagen, BMW, Smart (Daimler Chrysler Group) Land Rover, Magna, Intier and Stadco Pressings.