Head of Materials and Processes

As the head of the Materials and Processes (M&P), your job is to provide the necessary support, advice and expertise to the design and engineering team relating to seating products. You are also required to identify and develop new materials & processes to meet Safran Seats product requirements, upgrading existing design solutions to continuously improve robustness, and reduce costs and environmental impacts of Safran Seats products.

Working together with other business units, you will be responsible to collaborate and ensure alignment of best practices concerning the materials, process specification, and their application in design activities.

Support the Safran Seats M&P network by ensuring alignment and harmonisation of materials, processes and standards are in line with the Safran Seats vision. Own, develop and manage the materials and processes (& standards) of Safran Seats GB, in support of the engineering design activities. Ensure material and process standards are up to date and in line with the business needs.

Advise and support the design and R&T teams on applicable materials, processes and technologies associated with current and future Safran Seats designs. Drive REACh compliance within engineering framework and support other business functions in line with REACh requirements.

• Be the point of contact for Safran Seats GB M&P related activities.
• Collaborate and liaise with the wider Safran Seats Branch and Safran Group M&P functions to ensure harmonisation of standards across the group.
• Develop and lead the SGB M&P team to optimise and deploy existing technologies in line with the Safran Seats Branch and group vision.
• Develop and maintain procedures applicable to the M&P function and its interactions with other functions, in line with the Safran Seats group policies (SST).
• Manage the development, control and deployment of material and process standards across Safran Seats GB, while ensuring alignment with the Safran Seats branch strategy.
• Qualify new materials and processes applicable to seating products in line with the business needs.
• Own specifications for materials and process technologies associated with seating products. Ensure that the quality, relevance and currency of specifications and special processes are continually maintained.
• Own the technical qualification of production means and subcontractor production means when it comes to special processes (e.g. Qualification Test data).
• Support the supply chain and operations team in addressing issues relating to M&P, such as obsolensence, industrial transfers and waivers/concessions.
• Support the OE and Aftermarket design, development & manufacturing teams on choices regarding materials and processes associated with specific projects and responses to unplanned or unforeseen requests.

• Qualified to Honours Degree or equivalent level in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering or Materials Science.
• A good understanding of material allowable and the certification process as defined in the Rouchon pyramid.
• Have knowledge in design of mechanical components and experience of product/process/materials development.
• Detailed working experience on material development and qualification activities.
• Understand the mechanics and processing of polymer matrix composites.
• Demonstrable working experience in industry or research work at an educational institution.
• Experience of working to industry standards and codes.