1. Nick Black IEng BA DipEd MAPM MSOE MILM MIPlantE CMI
Engineering Operations Manager, Automotive, Aerospace & Defence Specialist
Telford, Shropshire. TF2. Tel H: 01952 406052, Tel M: 07432 131940.
Mail: Blacknick@Blueyonder.co.uk Link: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/blacknickeng
Profile
Focused, driven, highly skilled and extremely well qualified Security Cleared Aerospace and Automotive Operations
Engineer. A highly credible senior manager, good planner, strong leader, coach, mentor, positive thinker and
listener. Excellent communication skills. Project manager, decision maker. Active member of the Project
Management Team. Engineering standards and practices, assurance and reform driver. Risk Manager, Customer
& Business needs deliverer. Leadership and management comes naturally; challenges are embraced with aplomb.
30+ years qualified and accredited international experience; indentured apprentice to registered Engineering
Council Manager. A motivational & inspirational leader and multi-cultural team player with great breadth and depth
in realistic, practically and educationally supported skill sets. I am confidently driven to succeed achieving continual
promotion through an extremely varied and colourful career. A business change driver, I have well-honed, self-
disciplined operations, manufacturing, production, aircraft, defence and automotive engineering expertise alongside
staff management skills with solid commercial acumen supported by many years’ honest practical experience.
An advocate of Safety First I am keen to maintain and improve Safe Working Practices. Supporting ISO’s 9001
QMS, 14001 EMS and 18001 OHSMS I drive Lean CI, 6S, and considered Route Cause Analysis. Techniques that
help ‘fix’ failures and problems for continual quality and efficiency improvement. Maximising performance whilst
economically and ecologically reducing cost and waste I uphold customer confidence and maintain satisfaction.
Feb 13 – Present. Head of Technical Support Operations. Babcock International Group (Was Defence
Support Group), Donnington, Telford. Lead technical functions in support of all spares and consumable
operations. Direct supplier quality management, New Item purchase, Item of Supply fault investigation, comparison
and pricing. Carry out full technical reporting. Liaison with Customer and Suppliers. Achievement of KPI’s.
Providing direction and guidance to team effort. Rectification and reporting.
Equipment Operations Programme Project Manager. Defence Support Group, Donnington, Telford. Project
programming for future capability management of concurrent, multiple, very high value multi £m’s projects. Ensure
multiple projects are successfully managed through process, use of Project, achieving completion OTIF. Directing
PO members guiding accuracy, efficiency, documentation and process. Use MS Project planning, Issue, Risk and
Action reporting. Direct engineering and commercial documentation preparation and writing for high cost, high
profile Tenders and submissions. Took control, carried out remedy work and closed outstanding 'difficult' projects.
Maintain smooth and efficient business operations supporting maintenance, modification and through life repair
management. Responsible for New Project planning, development and launch of engineering and commercial
coverage for a large portfolio of current and future MOD programmes. The range of products including equipment
and highly specialised vehicle support programmes. Now working on future business Transformation Programmes.
Drive budget control, achieve business metric KPI’s, ensure quality and right first time ethos maintained. Monitor
time / cost / delivery forecasting with Short, Medium and Long term planning ranging from Plan On A Page (POAP)
through weeks to many years ahead, setting SMART planning targets. Multiple, concurrent activity management.
Design and implement external Quality Auditing process and roll out best practice. Monitor multiple teams
performance planning taking action when necessary to re-focus managers and repair teams to revised targets.
Report performance achievements and threats, answer for weaknesses. Mentor new staff, students, graduates
and managers through business processes. Ensure staff trained, authorised, developed and working cohesively.
Production Process Engineering Operations Manager. Defence Support Group, Donnington, Telford.
Specialist Vehicle & Equipment; manage Automotive Engineering Operations workshop. Production, maintenance,
machining, fabrication, refinishing. Pressurised gas, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical and electrical systems, and
a variety of NDT processes. Lead engineering teams using appropriate supervisor and team leader delegation.
Staff recruitment, development, training authorisation and discipline. Senior engineering authority for workshop
mechanical engineering processes and procedures. Plan and ensure Key Deliverables.
Production planning using ERP tools, maintenance, equipment, consumables and staff budgets. Performance and
KPI reporting; time, cost, delivery forecasting to board. LEAN process driver, time reduction, 6S and Kanban. ISO
Quality driver, skilled Route Cause Analyser. HASW Champion; standards, adherence, reporting and publication.
Managed and delivered ever-changing programs and processes to strict time and cost constraints. A high-
pressure environment in which success thrived. Getting the best from staff, process, equipment and materials.
Resource, output and budget management; driving efficiency and improvement to deliver operational capability.
See next page for previous roles in Automotive, Aerospace, Engineering, Programme, Repair and Project
Management, specialist weapon systems, explosives R&D, engineering training management and leadership.
1 Nick Black

2. Career Summary – Previous Positions
Nov 10 - Feb 13. Capability Support Surveillance Planning Manager - Defence General Munitions Project
Team, Defence Equipment and Support
Capability Support Surveillance Planning Manager in the Defence General Munitions Project Team. Working in a
Senior role as the RAF Weapons Engineering Project Manager, responsible for planning, production and
monitoring of research and development for Trials and Testing of Tri-Service munitions and weapons.
An Aircraft Weapons Engineer, I provided specialist weapons and explosive knowledge and advice to military and
civilian agencies, constructing research, development and test plans, supervising procedures carried out by partner
agencies ensuring complete conformity, often planning years in advance. An engineering project management
area, I ensured standards and quality through managing the process from the start.
Starting with RAF weapons and equipment’s as the 'Air' specialist I soon became familiar with, then well versed in
all 'Land' and 'Sea' munitions eventually leading the In-Service Surveillance planning team. Built bridges and
forged excellent working relationships with partners and agencies.
Managed high value, high level, sensitive, tasks of interest at Governmental and International level. Input to
financial savings with efficiency and operational improvements.
Designed and instigated new IT communication, control and management systems.
May 11 – Oct 11 Expeditionary Air Wing Warrant Officer Operation Ellamy, Gioia Del Colle, Italy
Deployed Operating Base Warrant Officer during Operation Ellamy for the Typhoon and Tornado Forces
Expeditionary Air Wing. Here I was responsible directly to the Force Commander for the welfare, guidance,
discipline, HASW and QA for a detachment of 650 personnel. I managed the repatriation parade of a fallen
colleague.
Aug 06 – Nov 10 Training and Development Manager, Training Supervisor & Head Lecturer – DCAE Cosford
Delivered full engineering training spectrum including Aircraft Engineering, Power, Hydraulic and Weapon Systems,
Processes, Environmental Protection, HASW, Operations Management, emergency and deployment planning, use
of ADS and publications, roles, responsibilities, supervision, aircraft engineering authorisation and communication.
Planning and managing promotion and training courses for the development of aircraft technicians.
DSAT Compliance. Carried out Front End Analysis, Syllabus Reviews, Instructional Specification design,
formulated question bank and developed theoretical and practical training methodology. Technical Author for
publication change. Directed major course development, authorisation, trials, 12mth review and change. Aircraft
Battle Damage Repair training. Commendation for improvements to training.
Managed all training elements. Mentored new staff through induction, and monitored during teaching careers.
Also, encouraged and mentored staff through Certificate in Education and on to Degree.
Started and commanded the Station Motocross club to instruct young trainees in off road motorcycling, engineering
skills, building teamwork, cooperation, stamina, courage and physical skills.
Nov 02 – Aug 06 Engineering Lecturer, Senior Training Instructor and Student Mentor – DCAE Cosford
As an Aircraft, Engineering and Weapons Trade instructor, responsible for delivering multiple phases. Due to
extensive previous experience as an Armourer taught both theoretical classroom lessons and practical, on aircraft
and ESA areas.
Specialist phases and courses taught include Bombs and Components, Carriage and Release Equipment,
Explosive Regulations, Explosive Storage, Missile Systems, AAES, EOD (Intro including practical Explosive
Demonstrations), AGSE, publications, documentation and all aircraft & weapons operations.
Taught practical and classroom mechanical engineering including principles, materials, technology, hand skills,
electrical and fault finding skills. Led phase consolidation reviews, student testing and assessment.
May 04 – Sep 04 Joint Force EOD Operations Controller – Operation Telic Iraq
Operations Control Chief for all Joint Force EOD operations. Co-ordination, safety, security and mission planning
for Tri service operations working with all specialised UK units, Norwegian, New Zealand, Dutch, American and
Icelandic Coastguard.
2 Nick Black

3. Nov 99 – Nov 02 Aircraft Assisted Escape Systems Lead Instructor and RAF Training SME – DCAE Cosford
Subject Matter Expert on RAF Technical Training for Aircraft Assisted Escape Systems. Complete subject and
phase management from practical and theoretical course design, instruction from basic technical trainees to Senior
RAF Engineering team. Martin Baker Ejection Seats specialist.
Also, responsible for leading instructional team, developing course material and supervising testing and
consolidation phases for on and off aircraft.
Delivered enhanced Ejection Seat Maintenance courses for all ranks and bespoke civilian course deliver to
industry. Designed and delivered working solution to ease Tornado rear seat removal. As Technical Author re-
wrote publications for removal and re-fit. Award received.
Dec 82 – Feb 13 Aircraft Engineer - Weapons, Explosives and Operations Engineering RAF Armourer
An eclectic mix of roles from junior producer to senior supervisor and manager. Aircraft operations management
including Engineering Authorisation, standards and practices, HASW and QMS adherence. Safety and Security
manager. Worked with weapons and ammunition, explosives, storage, maintenance & control. Various bays
including Role Equipment Bay, Aircraft Gun Bay, Ejection Seat Bay, Small Arms Bay. DV Cleared.
Extensive Small Arms control, maintenance, testing, and management including RAF Liaison roles for ATC.
Weapons and Explosives Trade, munitions research, testing, evaluation and Bomb Disposal.
Taught all areas of aircraft operations management, armament, mechanical and electrical engineering. Also all
aircraft Trade Management Training to Juniors and Seniors, course and syllabus design and instructional staff
management as Training Supervisor. Training Manager for Aircraft Battle Damage Repair.
EOD in many locations, training and operationally, in combat and under fire. NATO tasking roles.
Armoured vehicles including Snatch and CVRT, aircraft incl various helicopters, Hunter, Phantom, Jaguar, Hawk,
Harrier GR3/T4 GR5/7/9, Tornado F3 and GR4, knowledge of Typhoon and experience on F16 and Saab.
Worked internationally throughout my career inducing multinational exercises as qualified T1 NATO Evaluator and
on operations covering Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Italy, Germany, USA, Canada, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark,
Germany, Soviet GDR, Norway, England, Ireland, Scotland and, best of all The Wales!
Jun 79 – Dec 82 HGV Vehicle Technician – Reece Road Transport
HGV maintenance. Completed full, indentured technical apprenticeship, qualified and carried out Road Transport
Industry Training Board assessment gaining Qualified HGV Mechanical Apprentice status and registration with the
RTITB. Work included ongoing maintenance, fault investigation, minor and major repairs, complete overhaul,
vehicle Plate preparation and ‘on call’ breakdown repairs. In the final year, managed workshop, planning
maintenance and parts procurement.
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4. Achievements, Education, Training, Continual & Professional Development
Recent Role Achievements
Designed ‘Best Practice’ staff training matrix.
Took control and managed stalled unpopular and difficult ‘hot potato’ project through to closure.
Managed Equipment Operations Project Planning into good standing, reducing Red contracts % dramatically.
Supported complex, business critical project.
Currently Managing two, high profile business optimisation transformation projects.
Implementing Supplier Quality Auditing process.
Increasing business awareness of Quality Management requirements.
Introduced workshop improvement, safety, efficiency and ecological changes.
Turned an area of ‘sufficient achievement’ into an area of excellence, with greatly improved processes, standards,
conditions and a happier, focussed workforce with better production and efficiency figures.
Education
Project Management Prince2 Practitioner– MAPM, Leadership & Management Level 5 – MILM.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education – BA, Diploma in Education - Dip Ed, Certificate in Education - Cert Ed.
Post Graduate Mentoring Diploma - PG Dip.
Mechanical & Production Engineering - ONC/HNC/HND.
Weapons Systems Engineering – BTEC.
Electrical Systems Engineering - C&G.
GCSE Equiv including Maths, English, Science & Engineering Design.
Professional Affiliation
Engineering Council Incorporated Engineer Status – IEng.
Society of Operations Engineers – MSOE.
Institute of Plant Engineers – MIPlantE.
Institute of Explosive Engineers – MIExpE.
Institute of Leadership & Management – MILM.
Chartered Management Institute – CMI.
Association of Project Managers - MAPM.
UK Government Security Cleared – SC/DV NATO ‘S’.
Training
Advanced Management & Leadership, Level 5 Management Training, Specialist Senior Management Training.
Coaching and Mentoring, Staff Training and Development, Instructional Techniques and Monitoring.
IOSH Health & Safety Manager, Risk Assessor, Quality Auditor, Environmental Protection Advisor.
Licensed Prince2 Project Management Practitioner, Skilled Microsoft User and MS Project Professional.
Weapons Systems, Explosives, Aircraft & Automotive Engineering.
Road Transport Industry Training Board accreditation, HGV Mechanic Technical Apprenticeship.
Driving Qualifications
Full UK Driving & HGV Licence, Institute of Advanced Motorists Certificate, Full Motorcycle Licence.
Full Group H Tanks Licence, C+E Licence, RTITB Crane & Fork Lift Licences.
Hobbies & Interests
Sport – Skiing, Motorcycling, Gym.
Motoring – Technology, Motorsport & Engineering.
Engineering – Historic, current and future engineering particularly automotive.
Home – Family, House Improvement, Gardening, Car Maintenance.
Fun – Computing, Personal Development, Socialising, Humour, Music.
Other – Charity & Volunteer work for the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust and McMillan Research.
Volunteer - One week per year, as Showground Operations Centre Officer for the Royal International Air Tattoo.
Volunteer – Building and improvement work in Romanian Orphanage.
Notable Occurrences
2011 - 2017 Royal International Air Tattoo - Showground Operations Control Centre Plans Officer.
2011 Commendation for deployment on Operation Ellamy in support of Typhoon / Tornado Force Elements.
2010 Accolade for reducing RAF engineer training burden with £2.5m annual saving.
2005 - 2011 Royal International Air Tattoo Commandant for Military Site with 600+ personnel.
2004 Commendation for Deployment to Iraq as Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations Controller.
2004 Received Gems Award for Tornado aircraft engineering maintenance solution.
2002 Received Commendation for Aircraft Assisted Escape System work and charity support work.
1984 - To date Very happily married for 33 years to Tracie, NHS Matron with 2 fully grown daughters.
4 Nick Black