QC Laboratory Manager

at  Hexcel Corporation

With our strong investment in research and development and our culture of continuous improvement, Hexcel is the industry leader in the manufacturing of advance composite materials, including carbon fiber, woven reinforcements, resins, prepregs, honeycombs and additive manufactured parts. We invite you to join the Hexcel team at various manufacturing sites, sales offices and R&T centers around the globe. Become a part of the “strength within.”
Hexcel is currently seeking an QC Laboratory Manager for our Duxford, UK location.

The selected individual will be responsible for but not limited to the following obligations:

• Provide technical, management support to ensure best lab practice and robust test methods with good repeatability to comply with the aerospace, quality and testing standards
• Manage the day to day QC and IPC Testing laboratory operations to meet the requirements of the testing plan and ensure ‘on time’ targets are met. Ensure any deviations and Out of Specification/Tolerance events are investigated to root cause, and corrective actions put in place to prevent recurrences.
• Drive continuous improvement of laboratory systems and processes through the QC laboratories, ensuring all test methods and equipment are suitably qualified and validated
• Act as a subject matter expert for Laboratory systems, liaising with cross functional teams to support RCCA activity to resolve quality problems identified within production across the product range
• Liaise as required with appropriate customers and regulatory bodies. Support internal and external audits.
• Recruit, a team of Technicians, ensuring that they are suitably qualified and competent to undertake various testing methods in a compliant and safe manner in accordance with the relevant approved procedures and product ranges
• Manage a team of 2 Laboratory supervisors and Laboratory Engineer. Support and manage the department budget in partnership with the Quality Manager
• Develop the use of 5s and Lean methodologies and working practices across the Laboratories.
• Manage the review, modification and issuing of technical documentation relating to the Laboratories including IFS).
• Oversee the commissioning and implementation of new test equipment/methods, where applicable and participate in project activities and initiatives as defined from time to time.

Qualifications:

• Degree qualified in Chemistry, Mechanical or Materials Engineering.
• Experience of managing a QC laboratory with proven technical ability.
• Experience of ERP or MRP systems and LIMS. Strong general IT skills.
• Test method validation, equipment qualification, with proven lean, continuous improvement experience. AS9100, ISO9001 and NADCAP awareness.
• Sound knowledge of testing practices and procedures (HPLC and DSC included).
• Team Management experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including good communication and conflict management experience.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country where the position is based. Hexcel (NYSE: HXL) is a global leader in advanced composites technology, a leading producer of carbon fiber, and the world leader in honeycomb manufacturing for the commercial aerospace industry

• Provide technical, management support to ensure best lab practice and robust test methods with good repeatability to comply with the aerospace, quality and testing standards
• Manage the day to day QC and IPC Testing laboratory operations to meet the requirements of the testing plan and ensure ‘on time’ targets are met. Ensure any deviations and Out of Specification/Tolerance events are investigated to root cause, and corrective actions put in place to prevent recurrences.
• Drive continuous improvement of laboratory systems and processes through the QC laboratories, ensuring all test methods and equipment are suitably qualified and validated
• Act as a subject matter expert for Laboratory systems, liaising with cross functional teams to support RCCA activity to resolve quality problems identified within production across the product range
• Liaise as required with appropriate customers and regulatory bodies. Support internal and external audits.
• Recruit, a team of Technicians, ensuring that they are suitably qualified and competent to undertake various testing methods in a compliant and safe manner in accordance with the relevant approved procedures and product ranges
• Manage a team of 2 Laboratory supervisors and Laboratory Engineer. Support and manage the department budget in partnership with the Quality Manager
• Develop the use of 5s and Lean methodologies and working practices across the Laboratories.
• Manage the review, modification and issuing of technical documentation relating to the Laboratories including IFS).
• Oversee the commissioning and implementation of new test equipment/methods, where applicable and participate in project activities and initiatives as defined from time to time