Polymer Technical Specialist

About the job

The Opportunity

As part of the Technical Specialist Community, you will be a functional resource for the company.  This role includes developing the future company strategy for Polymer materials across all areas of the vehicle. You will be a custodian of elements of our key technology for current and future products.  You will be expected to teach, mentor and present at global conferences.    

Key Performance Indicators

• Ensuring new materials (aligned to Design intent) are by PS and by .
• Research trends in new polymers and processing, to feedback into the business.
• Delivery of direction and strategy to support sustainability targets on polymer use for future vehicles.
• Shaping Technology Centre strategies to reflect the latest materials trends and improvements.
• Resolving quality issues including completion of PR-Aims and suggestions to improve JDP and TGW.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Owner of JLR Way procedure/process, STJLRs and requirements. Create improved procedures helping to drive quality and efficient delivery.
• Responsible for deviation approvals, weighing customer and business requirements against feasibility and timing. 
• Support the delivery and prioritisation of polymer material development with inputs from core and SV to ensure materials are delivered on time and to the engineering specifications.
• Work closely with Design, CoC’s (and others) to identify new material requirements. Engage with Materials Engineering, Product Sustainability, Purchase, Research and suppliers to develop practical solutions.
• Develop a business aligned vision for technical delivery of the attribute or technology. 
• Technical leadership to drive function, quality, cost, and timing improvements on programmes.
• Lead role for developing innovative technologies and new applications of current technologies.
• Establish and deploy best technical practice. Knowledge transfer in terms of formal training, and mentoring. Champion TAS modules in the specialism and create new modules.
• Thorough understanding of both internal and external customer attribute and technology requirements. 
• Development of process and reports to ensure consistent and robust delivery of their technology or attribute.
• Support task force activities to solve complex engineering problems.
• Formal sign off of the technical elements of their system or attribute.
• Charged with promoting systems and Agile engineering into the company.
• Undertake any other work as directed by their line manager in connection with their job as may be requested

 Key Interactions

• Design
• Programme
• Individual Technology Centres
• Perceived Quality
• Purchase
• Marketing
• Research
• STA
• Suppliers

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
  Essential:

• In-depth knowledge and technical expertise of polymer materials development, characterisation, processing, and application to automotive products.
• Proficient at development and publishing of new materials standards and test methodologies.
• Experience with materials processing and component manufacture.
• Significant experience of working in an engineering or automotive environment and have built up a broad understanding of many elements of working in this sector.
• Analytical skills including the ability to conduct research into innovative technologies and manufacturing systems and tools.   
• Knowledge of polymer applications across the whole vehicle.
• Proven ability to lead a resolution of the key technical issues within a team environment.
• Degree in science based or relevant topic.
• Will be required to go through the Technical Specialist recruitment process as detailed in Technical Specialist Handbook.
• Significant knowledge of engineering planning and delivery processes.

Desirable: 

• Appreciation of sustainability attribute with working knowledge of sustainability tools inc. LCA. 
•  A working knowledge of Body systems and development processes, such as those used at Jaguar Land Rover
• Experience in strategy development and execution

Personal Profile
 Essential:

• An individual with a customer first mind-set who is easy to do business with and makes people feel special, driven to deliver experiences that are personalised, transparent and dependable.
• An individual who is results driven, demonstrates, tenacity, drive, and perseverance, with the ability to deliver in a complex, highly demanding environment. 
• An individual with the ability to combine a short term, pragmatic focus with longer term planning.
• A good communicator who can communicate complex ideas.
• An effective team player, actively leads, develops, and supports team members.

Desirable:    

• An individual who enables speed in decision making through establishing alignment, clarity, appropriate resources, and sense of urgency whilst bringing others along
• An individual who is resilient, energetic, and enthusiastic, able to deliver results under pressure, whilst responding constructively to challenging new ideas and inputs.

SO WHY US?

Bring all this to the home of premium innovation, and you’ll find the opportunities to further your career with a world-class team, a discounted car purchase and lease scheme for you and your family, membership of a competitive pension plan and performance related bonus scheme. All this and more makes Jaguar Land Rover the perfect place to continue your journey.

This role may offer the opportunity for hybrid working where you can split your time between working from home and in the office. At Jaguar Land Rover, hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement providing employees with more choice and flexibility around how, when and where they work, if suitable for their role. Further details can be discussed with the Hiring Manager at interview stage. 

Please be aware that we may close this vacancy for applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of interest. We strongly advise you to submit your application as early as possible.

Jaguar Land Rover is committed to equal opportunity for all.