MICHAEL THOMAS
Liverpool
Summary
Accomplished Programme Manager with extensive experience in leading complex diverse engineering projects and programmes. Predominantly operating within the automotive Body-In-White & environment with diversification into Trim & final, Engine Assembly and more recently into Modular Homes facilities. Results-driven professional with strong negotiation and contract management capabilities. Cultivated cross-functional collaboration to meet programme objectives while maintaining budget constraints. Committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and leveraging best practices to enhance project outcomes.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work history
Programme Manager
Expert AMT
Coventry
2012.04 - 2026.03
- Assigned to direct and assist Expert AMT to develop into a Main OEM within the UK Automotive sector.
- Develop internal processes and procedures to structure business toward delivering large BIW & T&F programmes up to £70m
- Strategic sourcing development in UK, Europe & rest of the world to develop low-cost strategies in Engineering, Manufacturing and Turnkey providers
- Liaise directly with customer Senior Engineering and Purchase Management to resolve complex contractual issues
- Stabilise all commercial aspects of projects and provide accurate costs forecasting
- Established strong relationships with Directors & Functional Managers that allowed me to effectively advise & influence x-functional teams in order deliver an efficient Engineering & Manufacturing facility
- Delivered numerous programmes into various JLR, UK Facilities
- MLA BEV Underbody Commodity – BIW – JLR Halewood - SE and Industrialisation of Full BIW Programme - Programmes Manager
- Legal & General Modular Homes – SE of Modular Homes Automation Facility
- ILKE Homes Harrogate – SE and Industrialisation of Modular Homes Automation Facility.
- INEOS Grenadier Gestamp – BIW – Llanelli - Industrialisation of Full BIW Programme - Programmes Manager
- L551 Bodysides Commodity – BIW – JLR Halewood - SE and Industrialisation of Full BIW Programme - Programmes Manager
- L551 Marriage Facility – T&F JLR Halewood - SE and Industrialisation of Tooling Programme - Programmes Manager
- L462 Marriage – T&F – JLR Solihull – Medium Volume – Conclusion of a difficult Programme to achieve PBO (Performance Buy off)
- X260 SB – BIW - JLR Castle Bromwich - Medium Volume – Bodyside Modifications & New Auto Facilities - Program Manager
- L538C - JLR Halewood - Low Volume - SE & Full BIW Facility - Program Manager
- L538 / L550 - MY2016 Facelift - JLR Halewood - Medium Volume – BIW Studding, Underbody & Bodyside Modifications - Program Manager
- L550 – JLR Halewood - Medium Volume - SE & BIW New Underbody Facilities + Install & re-process Framing Line for KUKA - Program Manager
- L550 – JLR Halewood – VP Program – SE and Industrialisation of Full BIW VP Tooling Programme - Program Manager
- L538 - MY2015 Facelift - Medium Volume – BIW Studding, Underbody, Bodyside & Framing Modifications - Program Manager
- L538 - Volume uplift - JLR Halewood – Re-process Framing line, New Tabbing Concept, New re-spot line - Program Manager
Programme Manager
Comau UK
Shirley, Solihull
2011.08 - 2012.04
- Assigned to direct a multi national project team on two problematic projects for the Comau Group, namely: Perkins Engines (part of Caterpillar Group) - Track 5 & Track 8, Automated Engine Assembly Facilities.
- Create and execute a robust plan to deliver the remaining programme deliverables
- Drive out issues with systems in order to achieve designed technical availability and throughput
- Liaise directly with customer Senior Engineering and Purchase Management to resolve complex contractual issues
- Stabilise all commercial aspects of projects and provide accurate costs at completion
- Achieve Performance Buy Off and Final Acceptance from customer
- December 2009 – August 2011
- Delivery of a full service Automated Generator Assembly Facility to assemble and test generator sets, for FGW (part of Caterpillar Group), Larne, Northern Ireland – Project Quantum
- Worked closely with customer on a short simultaneous engineering programme to develop scope, specifications and deliverables.
- Delivered on budget and schedule an extremely short lead time project, with a 12 week window from strip-out to commissioning complete.
- Received written recognition from FGW Process Excellence Director and Caterpillar Vice Manufacturing President for professionalism in achieving their vision for a manufacturing facility and on time
Project Manager
Comau UK
Shirley, Solihull
1996.12 - 2009.12
- Joined company as a Project Manager and promoted to Programme Manager after successful completion of X400 – X-Type project in 2001.
- Responsible for the delivery of a wide range of full service Body-in-White (B.I.W) Programmes from sales support, simultaneous engineering through to final acceptance for main Automotive OEM’s namely; Land Rover, Jaguar, JLR, LDV and Bentley.
Contracts Manager
Motoman Robotics
Banbury, Oxford
1992.11 - 1996.02
- Assisted technical director with delivery of robotic automated solutions to OEMs and Tier 2 suppliers in automotive industry.
- Collaborated with sales teams to create proposals for new systems.
- Supported development and management of project budgets up to £500k.
- Aided project engineers and technicians in timely delivery of projects within cost and quality standards.
- Participated in customer meetings and presentations at director level.
Maintenance Technician
Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
1989.01 - 1993.12
- Reporting to Maintenance Supervisor in the B.I.W high volume manufacturing facility.
- Day to day planned preventative and breakdown maintenance activities.
- Robot and PLC problem solving and programming.
- Working closely with Manufacturing Engineering department to deliver plant projects.
- Assigned to new model introduction team for Primera model.
Education
Higher National Certificate (HNC) - Mechanical & Electrical Plant Engineering
Longlands Technical College / Stockton & Billingham Technical College
/1986 - /1988
Post Graduate, Diploma - Management Studies (DMS)
Teesside University
/1994 - 1996.01
Skills
- D Proven record in leading complex projects in high-tech, industrial automation & construction environments
Management of commercial and budgetary requirements for £2m–£70m automation projects
A history of successful delivery, frequently exceeding targets and expectations with a genuine passion for introducing effective change
Leading simultaneous engineering programmes involving the development of specifications, re-use strategies, tooling concepts, capacity planning and lean layouts
Broad engineering background across manufacturing processes
Experienced in PFMEA, Control Plans, RCA, OEE, Risk Management, CCA reporting
Global sourcing strategy planning to meet cost, quality & timing targets
Control of customer product engineering change processes
Programme delivery from concept to customer acceptance
Leadership in specifications, tooling concepts, capacity planning & lean layouts
Strong communication, organisational and motivational skills
Excellent budget management and analytical abilities
Broad engineering background across manufacturing processes
Reporting technical, commercial, risk & timing issues to Director level
Timeline
Programme Manager
Expert AMT
2012.04 - 2026.03
Programme Manager
Comau UK
2011.08 - 2012.04
Project Manager
Comau UK
1996.12 - 2009.12
Contracts Manager
Motoman Robotics
1992.11 - 1996.02
Maintenance Technician
Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
1989.01 - 1993.12
Higher National Certificate (HNC) - Mechanical & Electrical Plant Engineering
Longlands Technical College / Stockton & Billingham Technical College
/1986 - /1988
Post Graduate, Diploma - Management Studies (DMS)
Teesside University
/1994 - 1996.01