Colin Dunn
Melksham,UK
Summary
Dynamic leader with expertise in assertive leadership and innovation, strategic planning, and multi-site operations management. Proven track record in engineering and lean manufacturing, driving continuous process improvement and ensuring quality assurance alongside health and safety standards. Skilled in new product introduction, research and development, resource planning, and technical support. Adept at global supply chain management, cost control initiatives, business turnaround strategies, organisational restructuring, and technology solutions deployment. Committed to building highly effective teams through coaching and mentoring while enhancing operational productivity. Career goals include leveraging engineering management skills to drive process development and budget control for sustainable growth.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
20
20
Years of management experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Global Launch and Development Manager
Tenneco Group – Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems Ltd
Global / Home Based, Wiltshire
2021.11 - Current
- Responsible for all aspects of business leadership, spearheading New Product Introduction (NPI) initiatives and supporting a global team of manufacturing engineers, primarily located in N. America, Europe & China.
- Key role, tasked with providing direction, guidance, and leadership to Plant Engineers, working collaboratively with local manufacturing, product & technology teams. Defines, plans & articulates equipment specifications.
- Takes a proactive role in facilitating business and product restructuring, through standardisation, transferring business and product to improve cost efficiency and margin performance.
- Successfully led major enterprise initiatives on identifying new ‘local' suppliers for materials, processes, tooling, and equipment supporting both purchasing and engineering.
- Key contributions and successes:
- Writes and prepares Appropriation Request (AR) documentation, including engaging stakeholders.
- Conducts and reports on in-depth Factory Acceptance Testing & Site Acceptance Testing activities.
- Championed the delivery of a series of Continuous Improvement (CI) & scrap reduction programmes.
- Implemented cost-effective solutions for enhancing profitability without compromising quality standards.
- Developed comprehensive training programmes which significantly enhanced team skill sets.
- Secured stakeholder buy-in by expertly presenting and communicating project benefits.
- Conducted regular performance reviews for continuous improvement and staff development planning.
- Fostered a highly collaborative team environment to optimise project outcomes.
- Promoted knowledge sharing initiatives that boosted collective understanding within the organisation.
- Led multidisciplinary teams through complex project lifecycles, achieving timely completion of deliverables.
- Oversaw the successful delivery of key projects, ensuring adherence to established timelines and budgets.
- Oversaw product and operations strategy, highlighting development opportunities that support goals.
- Identified training needs and implemented coaching to bridge knowledge and skill gaps.
- Set up knowledge-sharing initiatives and peer-to-peer learning to boost team development.
General Manager
Camberley Rubber Mouldings Ltd
Aldershot, Hampshire
2019.04 - 2021.11
- Responsible for full P&L general management and business leadership, tasked with the day-to-day running of the operation, encompassing sales, production, engineering, quality, maintenance & warehousing issues.
- Parachuted into role with a remit to spearhead recovery and stabilisation of the business, following a period of out of control spend, budgets and performance, taking the business forward with process improvements, ‘fit for purpose' strategies and more effective planning.
- Reported directly as General Manager to the Owner and Chairman, regularly reporting on performance.
- Delivered a series of projects and investments in the business, including new CMM equipment, delivery of a replacement REP injection press programme, and a replacement CNC mill and lathe for maintenance.
- Acted as the Project Manager for the European Space Agency (ESA) De-Risk programme for Mission Ready Satellite Rubber Diaphragms & Bellows.
- Key contributions and successes:
- Managed both Camberley Rubber Moulding & Broadoak Manufacturing companies.
- Defined and executed a new & improved business strategy, road-mapping effective improvements.
- Achieved a significant reduction in scrap rate by 2.4%, representing annualised savings of £92K+
- Introduced robust cost control, operating costs & monthly spend controls, maintaining profitability.
- Established improved frameworks to customer account management, optimising sales revenues.
- Set-up, updated and embedded new business working policies, along with a dashboard of KPI's.
- Successfully introduced standard processes, IT solutions and fully integrated ERP business systems.
- Oversaw resource & contingency planning during joint challenges of Brexit and COVID-19 pandemic.
- Led company-wide restructuring to streamline operations.
- Developed strategic business plans, enhancing corporate vision and objectives.
- Introduced effective cost control measures, reducing unnecessary expenditure.
- Regularly reviewed performance data, driving continuous improvement efforts.
- Defined company direction through careful strategic planning.
- Established a positive work environment which promoted staff morale and productivity.
- Increased overall operational efficiency by implementing new management strategies.
- Implemented rigorous financial controls, improving overall profitability.
- Built high-performing teams to achieve organisational objectives.
- Oversaw all aspects of daily operations, ensuring smooth running of the organisation.
- Established successful partnerships with other companies for mutual growth.
- Fostered a high-performance culture, resulting in increased productivity.
- Identified new business opportunities, leading to market expansion.
- Successfully negotiated contracts with suppliers to reduce costs.
- Identified and resolved operational issues impacting productivity, performance or profitability.
Head of Manufacturing Engineering and Professional Maintenance
Norma UK Ltd
Newbury, West Berkshire
2018.05 - 2019.04
- Responsible for all aspects of manufacturing and maintenance services, taking ownership for the success of process and industrial engineering across Norma UK Ltd. Defined & executed a new engineering strategy.
- Focused on spearheading Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives, delivered via cross-functional teams.
- Full remit for departmental budgetary control, managing OPEX / CAPEX and business case justification.
- Oversaw and co-ordinated all elements of new equipment specification and new equipment procurement.
- Key contributions and successes:
- Championed new product / process introduction and production support, including user training.
- Effectively managed tooling design, manufacture, maintenance (PM) and toolroom initiatives.
- Successfully improved maintenance, including planned maintenance & TPM and sub-contractors.
Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems (Nanchang) Co. Ltd
Nanchang, China
2012.05 - 2018.04
- Successfully led and delivered the knowledge transfer Unipistons project and introduction of the CAF & FCC 6F15&35 programs, managing the $3.35M budget, leading equipment specification, procurement, ECAP approval & installation. Supported and delivered sample production & approval, the creation of all Quality documentation (PPAP's) and Production paperwork (PF, CP, PFMEA, WI & Visual Aids) leading to SOP.
- Responsible for all aspects of manufacturing engineering and business leadership on a major site in China, driving success via three Value Streams and six product technologies, including handing engagement and quotations for all new products, such as gaskets, seals & heat shields. Production and process support, including problem solving. Took ownership for launch management, new product introduction, APQP & customer audits.
- Headed-up technology and materials engineering, materials support, and chemicals technology for the Federal-Mogul Nanchang plant operation. Additional remit for maintenance and facilities management.
- Proactively drove Continuous Improvement (CI) and change management activities, securing buy-in from leadership, stakeholders, customers, and on-site employees. Leadership, mentoring & coaching of teams.
- Engaged with major clients, providing quotations for new enquires for all technologies and product issues. Provided mission-critical technology and materials engineering support across the Nanchang location.
- Successfully delivered a series of special projects, including new phosphate & aluminium treatment line ($2.21M investment), an adhesive bonding line ($0.4M investment), two Microtrog lines ($2.81M investment), the new 800t Aida stamping press ($2.06M investment), and the GAC-Falt Assembly line ($0.22 investment) and capacity modelling and the generation of all major appropriation requests.
- Acted as the Project lead for the knowledge transfer program of Railroad Seals ($1.65M investment). Lead project Engineer for the introduction of SGM GF6 program and Doosan 2.4L & 3.4L dynamic seal programs, utilising existing equipment, 4-part numbers in total.
- Key contributions and successes:
- Oversaw both SAP & master document control (TS16949), creation & management of documents.
- Project Manager & Lead Engineer for introduction of the major CAF & FCC 6F15&35 programme.
- Project leader for knowledge transfer program for railroad seals and technical lead for rubber & tooling localization programs, supporting Shanghai CTC.
- Managed and co-ordinated all elements of knowledge transfer & local engineer / operator training.
- Introduced a new electronic ‘process control' system, Wonderware, for use in the moulding process.
- Headed up the tooling department, managing the toolroom (design, repair, & manufacture), mentoring & coaching direct reports (Maintenance & Toolroom Managers).
- Supported the plant moving to a new purpose-built facility, successful transfer of assets & processes.
- Fostered an environment of continuous improvement, driving performance enhancements across all levels of operation.
- Developed training programmes, enhancing staff technical skills.
- Introduced machine automation that drastically reduced manual labour.
- Guided root cause analysis investigations; promoted proactive problem-solving approach.
- Oversaw maintenance procedures to guarantee machinery reliability and longevity.
- Set performance metrics, ensured alignment with organisational goals.
- Used various types of costing models to complete and document technical estimates.
- Developed products and prototypes for various types of product designs.
- Calculated overall production costs by evaluating material, labour and other expenditures.
- Enhanced manufacturing systems and equipment to meet evolving production demands.
- Improved production efficiency by implementing lean manufacturing principles.
- Restructured assembly line operations, resulting in greater throughput.
- Assessed and upgraded manufacturing processes, leading to increased productivity.
- Designed standard operating procedures which improved overall operational efficiency.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful product launches.
- Delivered cost savings with the introduction of innovative manufacturing techniques.
- Liaised with suppliers for smoother procurement processes and better material quality.
- Managed team to ensure timely completion of projects.
- Devised strategies for process improvements, resulting in enhanced product quality.
- Resolved technical issues and provided approval recommendations effectively.
- Increased quality with timely and accurate nonconformance troubleshooting.
- Applied statistical methods to estimate future manufacturing requirements.
- Analysed customer engineering drawings, specifications and RFQ requirements to perform purchase analysis.
- Completed technical estimates using cost models.
- Scheduled manufacturing teams to achieve timely project completion.
- Optimised production processes to maximise return on investment.
Manufacturing Manager
Camberley Rubber Moulding Ltd
Aldershot, Hampshire
2008.05 - 2012.05
- Optimised resource utilisation by devising efficient production schedules and plans.
- Streamlined inventory management system to avoid stock-outs and overstock situations.
- Improved team morale by fostering a collaborative working environment.
- Implemented cost-saving measures, resulting in significant reduction of operational expenses.
- Delegated responsibilities effectively amongst the team members to ensure optimal performance.
- Executed continuous improvement initiatives, enhancing overall factory performance.
- Managed supply chain operations, resulting in timely delivery of raw materials.
- Enhanced production efficiency by implementing Lean Manufacturing strategies.
- Complied with health and safety regulations whilst ensuring high productivity levels.
- Developed training programmes, improving overall staff competency levels in the plant.
- Coordinated with cross-functional departments for seamless operation of manufacturing activities.
- Ensured machine maintenance, reducing downtime due to equipment malfunctions.
- Introduced automation processes, leading to reduced manual labour and increased accuracy.
Education
MBA – Master of Business Administration - Business Administration
University of Warwick, Warwick Business School
Warwick, Warwickshire 2006.10 - 2012.06
BEng - Polymer Science and Engineering
Brunel University London
Uxbridge, London 1997.09 - 2001.07
BTEC HNC & ONC - Polymer Technology & Science
Trowbridge Polymer Centre
Trowbridge, Wiltshire 1995.09 - 1997.08
Skills
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Assertive Leadership & Innovation
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Strategic Planning & Development
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Multi-Site Operations Management
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Engineering & Lean Manufacturing
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Continuous Process Improvement
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Quality Assurance, H&S Standards
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New Product Introduction (NPI)
-
Research & Development (R&D)
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Resource & Contingency Planning
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Pre-/Post-Sales Technical Support
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Global Supply Chain Management
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Cost Control & Reduction Initiatives
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Business Turnaround & Growth
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Org Restructuring & Automation
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Technology Solutions Deployment
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Operational Productivity Increase
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Building Highly Effective Teams
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Coaching, Mentoring & Training
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Project management software proficiency
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People development
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Process development
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Engineering management
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Budget control
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Formulating strategies
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Business development
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Development management leadership
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Tier 1 projects
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Research and Development
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Team empowerment
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Process Improvement
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Excel proficiency
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Technical sales
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Budgeting and finance
Certification
- Six Sigma Operational Excellence (Black Belt)
- Coaching skills for Leaders & Managers
- Complex & strategic Negotiations
- 5S Workplace Productivity
- Culture of Kaizen
- Developing Assertive Leadership
- Developing your Team Members
- Windchill ProjectLink Fundamentals
- Leadership Essentials – Leading Innovation
- Leadership Essentials – Leading with Emotional Intelligence
- Leading Teams – Optimising performance
- Developing a High-Performance Organisation
- Health, Safety & Environmental Awareness
- Managing Mental Health at Work
- Coaching Skills for Leaders and Managers
Additional Information
UK Citizen, Excellent references available, Flexible on location for the right opportunity, Affiliations: Chartered Engineer, Engineering Council (UK) (CEng) & Professional Member of the Institute of Mining, Minerals & Materials (IMMM) – Elapsed., Interests: Fly-fishing, golf, scuba diving (PADI Advanced Open Water), traveling abroad, a keen photographer (both on land and underwater), walking / hiking and dog owner.
Early Career
- May 2008 to May 2012 Manufacturing Manager Camberley Rubber Mouldings Ltd, UK
- Oct 2004 to May 2008 Production Engineering Manager Camberley Rubber Mouldings Ltd, UK
- May 2003 to Oct 2004 Process Engineer Tyco Electronics UK Ltd, UK
- Feb 2003 to May 2003 Product Engineer Linatex Limited, UK
- Aug 2000 to Jan 2003 Rubber Technologist Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems (Cardiff) Ltd, UK
- Aug 1998 to July 2000 Process Engineering Team Leader Trelleborg, UK
- Jan 1998 to Aug 1998 Manufacturing Engineer Automold, UK
- Mar 1993 to Dec 1997 Performance Engineer BTR Anti Vibration Systems, UK
- Dec 1983 to Mar 1993 Shift Supervisor Precision Cut Rubber, UK
Affiliations
- Walking / hiking and dog owner, enjoy traveling abroad, a keen photographer, scuba diving, golf and fly-fishing
Accomplishments
Chartered Engineer - UK Engineering Council (2003)
Timeline
Global Launch and Development Manager
Tenneco Group – Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems Ltd
2021.11 - Current
General Manager
Camberley Rubber Mouldings Ltd
2019.04 - 2021.11
Head of Manufacturing Engineering and Professional Maintenance
Norma UK Ltd
2018.05 - 2019.04
Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems (Nanchang) Co. Ltd
2012.05 - 2018.04
Manufacturing Manager
Camberley Rubber Moulding Ltd
2008.05 - 2012.05
MBA – Master of Business Administration - Business Administration
University of Warwick, Warwick Business School
2006.10 - 2012.06
BEng - Polymer Science and Engineering
Brunel University London
1997.09 - 2001.07
BTEC HNC & ONC - Polymer Technology & Science
Trowbridge Polymer Centre
1995.09 - 1997.08