Neil Williams

I am a highly accomplished Technical/Engineering Project Manager and Operations Leader with over 20 years of experience driving technical excellence and strategic change within high-volume manufacturing and precision engineering industries.

LinkedIn Contact Me

About Me

My skills are built around what I believe are the three core requirements for Project and Operational Success:

Process Optimisation and Continuous Improvement: I possess a deep, demonstrable ability in Lean Manufacturing principles and project management methodologies, focused on eliminating waste and streamlining complex production workflows to consistently meet quality and cost targets.

2. Leadership and People Management: I excel at building and mentoring high-performing teams, communicating clear strategic vision, and fostering a culture of accountability and compliance across multi-disciplinary technical teams.

3. Data-Driven Decision-Making and Financial Acumen: My background provides the analytical skills necessary to track operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), manage substantial budgets, and translate complex performance data into actionable strategies that maintain profitability.

I view every successful project not just as a delivery milestone, but as a direct business development opportunity. I focus on maximising value for the client and the firm, knowing that a well-executed project is the most reliable way to secure repeat business and generate new leads.

Industry Experience

Work Experience

Business Development Manager | Quaker Houghton | Coventry | Jan 24 - Aug 25

Main Responsibility: To develop new systems based on customer requirements and business needs, the upskilling of none-technical staff and contributing to the customer acquisition strategy.

Designed, developed and implemented advanced electrostatic and non-electrostatic spray systems and drove the growth of chemical sales in the European region.
Provided engineering solutions and upgrade proposals for customers with legacy systems.
Used the Lean and Waterfall project management frameworks to successfully deliver production trials that resulted in process improvements of between 5% – 20%.
Actively maintained relationships with stakeholders from across Europe and the US.
Created proposals, quotes and business cases for internal and external use.
Created detailed reports, technical data and lessons learned documentation to aid in the transfer of knowledge.

Senior Product & Project Engineer | Quaker Houghton | Coventry | Jul 22 - Jan 24

Main Responsibility: To deliver the existing portfolio of projects, improve customer relationships and standardise the engineering and delivery processes.

Successfully delivered multiple projects both in Europe and the United States.
Vastly improved the technical offering and the quality of installations.
Removed complexity in the supply chain through standardisation and component commonality.
Completed a comprehensive review of the supplier base to ensure suitability and alignment with company standards.
Supported the commercial teams with equipment proposals and technical issues.

Project Manager | Sorion Electronics | Birmingham | Nov 21 - May 22

Main Responsibility: To manage a number of small electronics projects.

The tracking and reporting of PCB and embedded electronic projects.

Digital & Automation Project Manager | Faurecia | Staffordshire | Apr 18 – Nov 21

Main Responsibility: To identify opportunities across the business that will benefit from Industry 4.0 technologies to drive continuous improvement, operational efficiency and a competitive advantage.

The building of business cases to secure CAPEX funding for plant improvement projects (3 million Euro Secured).
The successful AGV fleet launch optimised our labour allocation, reassigning 26 employees to higher-value roles across the factory.
The design and development of 6 auto-offloading racks (the full product development life cycle).
Vision inspection and traceability systems (the full product development life cycle).
The implementation of a pick to light system to aid logistics staff.
The launch of a new ERP system across the plant, the training of 650 people, the launch of E-kanban and remote maintenance.

Engineering Project Manager (NPI) | Faurecia | Lichfield, England Dec 12 – Apr 18

Main Responsibility: To support the commercial teams in the acquisition of new projects, the management of all NPI projects and production team support.

The successful acquisition & launch of the Range Rover Velar (Interior System NPI). Zero issue launch.
- Highlights: Under budget, on-time, highest quality, innovative technology and over delivery of project objectives.

The successful acquisition & launch of the Range Rover Sport (Interior System NPI). Zero issue launch.
- Highlights: On-time, on budget, with improved traceability and vision detection.

To support the Quality, Logistics and Production departments with kaizen projects.

Installation Team Leader | Thales | London | Jan 08 – Nov 12

IR35 Contractor

Main Responsibility: To lead a team of engineers in the installation and commissioning of driverless train technologies and platform safety equipment.

The successful upgrade and commissioning of the Jubilee line prior to the launch of the London Olympics 2012.
- Projects delivered: Neasden Depot, Stratford Depot, Bank Station, Baker Street Station and Canary Wharf.

The modernisation of the West Coast Mainline (TV4) at Lichfield and Birmingham.
Upgrade Projects at Shrewsbury signal box, Grantham, Coventry and Luton stations.

Production Shift Manager | ThyssenKrupp | Cannock | Jan 04 – Jun 08

Main Responsibility: I oversaw and led a team of production operators, aligning all internal processes with the Toyota Production System (TPS) and lean manufacturing principles to drive efficiency and performance.

Improved safety and workplace organisation through the implementation of 5s Principles and the elimination of waste..
Process improvements resulting in an increased output of over 20%.
On-time delivery improved through stakeholder communication, problem solving and increased “right first time” parts.
Led process improvement projects and task force teams that eliminated unnecessary expenditure.

Education

MSc PM (Project Management) | The University of Salford, 2015 – 2017
- - Managing Project Deployment and Delivery
  - People Management in Projects
  - Digital Project Environments: Tools and Techniques
  - Project Operations and Business Analytics
  - Procurement Risk and Contract Management
  - Research and Practice in Projects and Logistics Management
  - Research Methods for Managers

Cert Higher Education (Open), Design and Innovation Engineering | The Open University, 2012 – 2015
- - Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century
  - Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production

IRSE Installation Team Leader, Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- - 1.2.130 Signalling Team Leader | The Institute of Railway Signal Engineers (I.R.S.E), 2011 – 2012
  - 1.2.220 Signalling Installation Technician | The Institute of Railway Signal Engineers (I.R.S.E), 2010 – 2011
  - 1.2.200 Assistant Signalling Installer| The Institute of Railway Signal Engineers (I.R.S.E), 2008 – 2010

City & Guilds Level 6, Mechanical Engineering | Cannock Chase Technical College, 1998 – 2002

Course: Siemens Programming Basics | MTC Training 2023
Course: Robust Automotive Embedded Systems | University of Warwick – WMG, 2020
Course: Programming and Fundamental Algorithms | University of Warwick – WMG, 2020
Course: Business Improvement Techniques | Wolverhampton College 2006 – 2008
Course: Lean Manufacturing Training White Belt, Yellow Belt, Green Belt 2004 – 2008

Awards & Honours

European Kaizen Innovation Award | Technology Development | Issued by Faurecia Interior Systems, December 2016
Corporate Innovation Award | Vision Inspection Technology | Issued by Faurecia Interior systems SER Division, November 2015