Download Associate`s expectation

University of Bath KTP Programme
Praxair Surface Technologies Ltd
(Associate One – Manufacturing and Process Improvement engineer)
The Company
The Praxair Surface Technologies (PST) facility at Weston-super-Mare is an
advanced engineering and technology company providing specialist coatings
to the aerospace, power, automotive and general engineering sectors.
Patented coating solutions were developed by the WSM facility which remains
the sole Praxair coatings provider for these industries in Europe and Asia.
Key customers include Rolls Royce, Siemens, Alstom and Cummins in the UK
and various aerospace and power generation customers in Europe. Quality,
production and new product development processes are certified by
independent bodies to the highest UK, Global and Industry standards.
Partnership rationale
This two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Praxair
Surface Technologies and the University of Bath is to develop and implement
new manufacturing methods, including automation and the redesign of the
current cellular production cells involved in pre and post plating production.
This project is linked to another KTP which will be looking to develop
improvements in the tank plating processes.
Partnership objectives
PST has experience in robotised automation using off-the-shelf robots. These
are not, however, suitable for pre-plating and plating operations. The Weston
facility is unique within the PST group of companies in the areas of processes,
technology and production equipment. Consequently, the project would help
PST to develop knowledge and expertise in the following areas of
manufacturing and production engineering;
Automation of manual ancillary operations, including aspects of
process verification and validation
Production cell design and process design using the latest process
modelling tools for representing current capabilities and growth
scenarios
Digital engineering and factory modelling using discrete event
simulation.
Partnership management
The KTP Project is delivered by an Associate and is managed through the
Local Management Committee (LMC). This is chaired by the senior
organisation executive and comprises the Company and Academic
leaders/supervisors and a KTP Advisor (Technology Strategy Board
representative). The LMC meets every four months and is responsible for
programme direction, ensuring that all parties gain maximum benefit and
authorising expenditure.
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Associates are expected to prepare an executive summary, to report on
progress for the LMC meeting and this must be circulated in advance to LMC
members. They are also expected to make a formal presentation on some
aspects of their work at this meeting.
A monthly progress meeting is held with the Company and Academic
Supervisors. The Associate is expected to arrange and document these
meetings. The Associate is required to maintain a log of the tangible benefits
of the project and to provide internal seminars for other members of University
and Company staff, based on knowledge acquired through attendance at
courses and conferences.
Associate profile
You must have a minimum 1st/2.1 degree in Engineering and a manufacturing
specialism in Mechanical or Aerospace would be advantageous. A minimum
of 12 months industrial experience is essential and experience in a large scale
manufacturing environment would be desirable. Also desirable is knowledge
and experience of cellular manufacturing techniques and process design.
We would also expect you to demonstrate, through examples;
A people-centred approach to work
A constructive and open-minded attitude to problem solving
Excellent written and oral communication and IT skills
Well developed team-working skills
Personal ambition and self-motivation to own and drive the project
forward with minimum supervision within agreed and directed task
boundaries
Associate’s expectation
The Associate will have the opportunity to pursue a higher degree as a
member of staff of the University. Bath provides an MPhil in Knowledge
Transfer specifically for KTP Associates, or another higher degree offered by
the Department of Mechanical Engineering may be appropriate.
The Associate may have the opportunity to gain undergraduate level teaching
experience by co-supervising undergraduate dissertation students and giving
the occasional seminar to students of the Department of Mechanical
Engineering, to deliver papers at international conferences and to co-author
articles. They will be encouraged and supported to apply for Chartered
membership of a relevant professional body, probably the IMechE or a similar
professional body as graduate member.
On successful completion of the project it is highly likely that the Associate will
be offered a permanent position with the company. However, if due to
unforeseen circumstances this is not possible, the Associate will still have
gained experience of;
Manufacturing process benchmarking, evaluation and development
Cellular Manufacturing specification and design.
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Continuous Improvement practice of manufacturing operations.
Digital Factory design and modelling using discrete event simulation
Capital equipment identification and CAPEX approval process
Business plan development for new equipment and operations.
Training of staff and team building.
Additionally the Associate will experience the operational running and
management of a substantial and strategic project in a large scale
manufacturing environment. This will give the Associate an invaluable chance
to participate in a cross discipline and integration operation during a period of
significant growth and technology change
Salary and conditions of employment
Salary Range is £22,000 - £25,000 pa depending on qualifications and
experience and the reward package includes a pension contribution and
separate £4,000 personal training and development budget.
The Associate will be appointed by the University as a member of staff with
the Department of Mechanical Engineering, responsible to the appointed
academic supervisor. The contract of employment is for 24 months. There is
a probationary period of six months, during which time the contract may be
terminated by either side with one month’s notice. Thereafter, the required
notice period to be given by either side is three months. The University
requires a mid- probationary report after three months and a full probationary
report at six months.
In other respects the Associate will be treated as a company employee. Work
will mainly take place at the Company’s premises but may necessitate
working at the University as appropriate for the certain activities of the project.
The conditions of work, including work hours and holiday entitlement, will be
those applying to Company employees. An appraisal is carried out at six
months with the Academic and Company Supervisors. This is used to identify
the Associate’s training requirements in relation to programme tasks and their
personal development plan. There will be a further appraisal at eighteen
months.
Whilst there is no commitment on the company to retain the Associate at the
end of the programme, it is expected that the Associate will be made aware of
future prospects at their 18 month appraisal. KTP appointments cannot
normally be extended beyond the end of the project.
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