Rory Macdougall

• Plan and communicate weekly production schedule ensuring all 3 factories are clearly briefed and working in unison.
• Ensure monthly targets are exceeded and planning adjusted as issues occur.
• Lead production staff ensuring team and individual development.
• Support Business Management team with contract negotiations, review and implementation.
• Design contract pricing structure and lead review cycles.
• Identified opportunities to improve and streamline manufacturing processes to maximise time and revenue.
• Planned plant upgrades based on expected operating demands, planning objectives and cost considerations.
• Drive a culture of Safety and CI within the Production Teams.
• Act as Rail Policy SME and staff point of contact for all related enquiries.
• Oversee budget allocation for optimal resource utilisation.
• Defined manufacturing quality guidelines and criteria to adhere to Rail standards and regulations.
• Managed project timelines for successful product delivery.

• Assisted in procurement of aviation ground support equipment across various systems including power generation, hydraulics, pneumatics, lifting, gaseous, and engine types.
• Provided technical support for defence aviation hydraulic servicing across global operations.
• Contributed to projects by offering engineering consultancy for contracts and procurement delivery exceeding £10 million.
• Coordinated parts and contracted repair solutions to optimise resource management and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Monitored contracts to ensure compliance with delivery timelines and safety standards.
• Supported writing and reviewing of equipment safety cases to manage risks effectively.
• Investigated engineering safety incidents and facilitated the development of modification programmes.
• Conducted technical investigations into aviation safety reports and ensured completion of corrective directives.
• Liaised with contractors to monitor project progress and uphold output standards.

• Management of 70+ personnel across 4 multi disciplinary teams comprising of engineering technicians, logistics, junior managers, administration and quality staff.
• Resource management - effective management of 3000+ types of RAF Engineering Aviation Ground Support Equipment ensuring availability 365 24/7 (systems include hydraulics, pneumatics, engines, electrical, lifting, gaseous, refrigeration and transmissions).
• Facilities management of 3 separate hanger/building complexes, ensuring all safety aspects and maintenance are planned and carried out on time and to current regulations.
• Instigated and led key engineering projects and change management initiatives - driving efficiencies, creating additional capacity.
• Responsible for team career development including training, objective setting, annual appraisals ensuring personnel growth to meet organisational objectives.
• Management of equipment scheduled maintenance and repair ensuring deconfliction and availability as per operational needs.
• Providing technical expertise, sign off and advice as required to Engineering staff.
• Implementation of numerous Cost saving initiatives including a new shift management schedule.
• Ensured compliance with Defence aviation governance, standards and regulatory requirements.
• Policy development, implementation and audit across multi-discipline sites.
• Provision of timely Departmental reports as required by Senior Leadership, Head Office including reporting on deliverables, critical targets and KPIs.
• Responsible for workplace processes and procedures ensuring compliance with Quality Management System, ensuring timely participation and passing of internal and external audits.
• Risk Management - Local risk holder and advisor for all work-based H&S, including COSHH, DSEAR, Env Prot and Manual Handling.
• Supply chain engagement and negotiation to ensure Just In Time procurement of essential resources. Marked reduction in delivery time through advanced negotiation skills and drive to create efficiencies.
• Ambassador for Continuous Improvement within workplace, ensuring facilitation of CI events.
• Promote and foster inclusive and fair working environment that embraces equal opportunities for all.

Key Achievements

• Unit which had been put on organisational global risk register due to the high likelihood of failure and impact on mission was removed following marked improvement in output standards (6mths into the role).
• Increased equipment availability of 20%.
• Efficiencies allowed for a previously unthinkable reduction in the head count whilst still maintaining output.
• Increased moral, culture and buy in across the teams with a marked reduction in dissatisfaction and early leavers/notices.

• Daily leadership and management of 140 students and 25 instructional/admin staff within Mech Eng College.
• Project manager for key mech eng training delivery change initiatives, including transition from City & Guilds to EAL accreditation.
• Facilities management of Mech Trg area and resources, ensuring all safety aspects and maintenance are planned and carried out on time and to current regulations.
• Production of timely course scheduling and convoluted staff/resource deconfliction.
• Safe delivery of all Trg activities and resources, including CV-19 protocols and compliance, in line with H&S guidance
• Driven to meet strict and targeted KPIs on student achievements and graduation from multiple courses run.
• Champion CI through enhancement of Trg resources and aids.
• Ensure continued instructor competency and career development through targeted supervision and mentoring programs.
• Foster a positive working environment that embraces inclusivity and teamwork.
• Attend Head of Establishment weekly meetings to provide SME input on college performance and to escalate current issues.
• Produce comprehensive, on time reports to keep Head Office informed on key deliverables.

Key Achievements

• Despite timeline given, apprenticeship transfer to EAL learning standards completed on time.
• Led the mechanical college through Covid-19, ensuring the continuation of training and output standards whilst still maintaining a safe working/learning environment.
• Despite Covid challenges, drove reductions in course lengths across advanced and apprentice courses leading to savings of up to 1400 personnel training days per year.
• Enhanced the training facility and aids through programme of works and finance bidding which led to 300k+ in infra/trg aid improvements.

• Chief Examiner, leading a specialist team to provide Global independent LOLER and ADR inspections on behalf of the RAF Chief Engineer and Department of Transport (ADR only).
• Schedule, co-ordinate and attend all inspection visits, both in the UK and to overseas dependencies, including multiple high threat environments.
• Develop and deliver equipment specific inspector training packages to newly assigned staff.
• Attend board level meetings and working groups as the RAFs SME representative for LOLER and ADR compliance.
• Provide timely and effective delivery of equipment certification, ensuring management and accuracy of global database.
• Liaise with relevant embassies and travel facilitators to ensure a convoluted team visit schedule is achievable and on time.
• Prepare and deliver presentations and reports to inform senior leadership team on equipment states and risks being carried.
• Deal with extensive conflict management and negotiation where end users are unhappy with inspection failures that bring about reduced equipment availability to meet their mission.

Key Achievements

• Upskilling of team to meet current industry standards through arranging of educational course and CPD initiation.
• Networked digitalization of organisation LOLER database allowing for access and certification at location, saving days of time on the ground per global task.
• Increased focus on safety and kitting/PPE required to undertake work in high-threat locations.
• Enhanced communication and understanding of the testing requirements with the user community which brought a marked increase in standards and inspection failure rates.

• Manage engineering output of 30+ technicians and supervisors.
• Provide SME engineering support and guidance.
• Project lead on various change initiatives.
• Ensure safe systems of work are followed.
• Escalate and report to Engineering Managers on key issues and meeting KPIs.
• Oversee maintenance and personnel scheduling of 365 24/7 operational workflow of team.