Christopher Downton Email & Phone Number

Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Leading all aspects of services within the areas of Product Data Management and Prototype & Launch Operations. This includes the research, development, bidding and delivery of our key services to over 50 clients around the world and across multiple sectors.Leading a multi-disciplinary team of dedicated developers, project managers, sales and data professionals, we are defining what great product data management looks like and working with our clients to implement it.

Developing productivity and data management tools for use on internal projects and solutions developed for clients. Languages used include, VBA, VB, C++ and Python. Highlights of these projects include:Change review application for change approvers to standardise the rejection reasons and comments for ease of understanding as well as automate aspects of the review process for efficiency. Application was written in C++ language.Standard BoM Validation tool to ensure that >100 key components were present on vehicles using a customisable ruleset. Application was written in Python and has been used to test machine learning proof of concept. Currently being developed into full Django based application.Automated Change Management Tracker that reduced manual workload on 15 head project by ~7%. Also allowed for analysis of common errors and rejections, leading to a reduction in error states.Change Error checking tool that lead to a 50% reduction based on analysis of tool above leading to reduction in change approval time by 2 days and workload associated with each change.ML Predictive tool for estimating how long changes would take for approval based on historical data. Achieved a 90% accuracy (within a 3 day window) and significantly outperformed human estimators. Application was written in Python on a Django framework.Partial Build BoM Validation Tool for a global OEM’s prototype team. In conjunction with a prototype BoM review process that my team developed, this has saved the OEM around $2M per annum globally. Application was written in VBA.

Cologne Area, Germany

Developing, selling, managing and leading products and projects. Responsibilities include:• Leadership of the “Product Pillar” of Quick Release, introducing a Product Development and Management division to a professional services company.• Leading creation of a suite of standardised Data Management products based on a Django framework and utilising Quick Releases consulting expertise to deliver high quality data management for a fraction of the price of conventional consulting services.• Account management and development of several strategically important accounts with an annual sales value greater than €1,500,000 for a range of consulting and data management products.• Responsible for ensuring products deliver targets set with client and internal stakeholders as well as continuously improving the value add of the consulting products for clients.• Responsible for resourcing, performance, development and strategic direction for large team (15+) of product managers, developers and analysts around various locations in Quick Release worldwide.

Dunton, Essex, United Kingdom

Consultant specializing in initial project setup for Quick Release (Automotive). First point of contact for delivering new projects relating to Product Lifecycle Management.• Directly responsible for all areas of project delivery for first 3-6 months of project. Including pastoral care, training, day to day client interaction, target setting, project deliverables and project direction.• Involved in new business and resource planning. Identifying personnel requirements for new business and ensuring team can deliver to high quality standard.• Ongoing responsibilities as manager for small team of consultants at multiple locations responsible for pastoral care, personal development and ensuring project delivery goals are met.• Previous projects have included Bill of Materials Management for New Transit programs Electrical Systems, development and deployment of service solution for New Model Launch for New Diesel Engine, Interior Systems Bill of Materials, Cost and Testing Management for New Transit program, Bill of Materials Analyst/Deployment specialist for Powertrain Unit for large scale global petrol engine in multiple regions and plants including joint ventures.• Business Manager for Design Phase Product Lifecycle Management including training, identifying new sales and business areas, knowledge development and company wide SME.

Cologne Area, Germany

Delivering a turnkey solution for Bill of Materials management on a new European vehicle program (2015 C-Max) from program start to completion of design phase.• Successfully delivered a new project above and beyond client expectations.• Developing existing and New PLM processes to ensure success in a changing product development environment.- Examples include deployment of Variance Cost process now used globally in all Variance programs, key stakeholder in trial for Visual BoM Validation process that has been adopted within Europe to ensure BoM quality, development of automated WERS Load processes to increase BoM quality to 99% success and update to Bill of Material load process that reduced work load on manufacturing team by approximately 5%.• Ensure engagement of all key stakeholders in Bill of Materials decisions and initiatives,• Ensure delivery and availability of Bill of Materials to all required stakeholders.

United Kingdom

Aiding delivery of numerous product launches (Transit, Focus and Fiesta) globally for Full Service Suppliers of Interior Systems (primarily Cockpit and Door Trims).• Managed part quality and build support plan alignment for complex launches in multiple regions (Europe, China, North America, South America and Asia Pacific).• Developed tools to ensure alignment between multiple systems and also automate tasks to ensure quality and efficiency.• Managed change to design during launch of production phase of major global launch (New Fiesta) for complex commodity in multiple plants.

Colchester, United Kingdom

Assembling electrical transformers for local bespoke engineering company as summer work during study.

Colchester, United Kingdom

Evening receptionist work at local General Practitioner clinic outside of term time while studying.

Master Of Engineering (Meng), Aeronautics, 2:1

Education record