Lab & Transformation Manager - Optical Lens Manufacturing

Zest Business Group; Bierton; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Company pension

Life assurance

Private healthcare

Employee wellbeing support

Professional development

Leadership opportunity

Job summary

Zest Business Group is seeking a Lab & Transformation Manager for an ophthalmic lens manufacturing facility in Buckinghamshire. You will lead a large team across multiple lab departments, developing people, processes and technology to support future growth.

You will work with the Operations Director, Engineering and QA to maintain high production standards and implement a clear transformation strategy for the laboratory. This role requires strong leadership and a track record in lens production.

Qualifications

• You must have significant experience in a laboratory or production management role within ophthalmic lens manufacturing.
• You should have strong technical knowledge of surfacing, coating, glazing and optical lens production processes.
• You will lead a sizeable production team and manage operational performance via KPIs.
• You should understand continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing principles.
• You will deliver process improvements and operational change to improve productivity, quality and service.
• You have a track record of improving productivity, quality and customer service.
• You demonstrate strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• You can manage multiple priorities and projects within demanding timescales.
• You communicate effectively with stakeholders and have strong reporting skills.
• You understand quality systems, SOPs and health and safety requirements.
• You have strong IT skills to produce clear operational reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead a laboratory production team of about 42 people.
• Oversee production across surfacing, coating, glazing and related processes.
• Plan and coordinate production to meet quality, service and delivery targets.
• Monitor performance against KPIs on a daily/weekly basis.
• Identify risks and develop contingency plans.
• Review processes and implement productivity and workflow improvements.
• Develop and deliver a clear transformation strategy for the laboratory.
• Support the introduction of new technology, equipment and methods.
• Work with Engineering, QA and Customer Service to boost performance.
• Provide regular reports on performance, defects, rejects and improvements.
• Develop team capability via coaching, training and performance management.
• Manage departmental costs and assist with budget planning.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs, health and safety, and PPE policies.
• Recruit and develop team members to support growth.
• Lead technical and laboratory performance meetings with stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

KPI management

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

Analytical thinking

Communication

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Time management

Commercial awareness

Education

Lean Six Sigma Level 4 Diploma (beneficial)

Job description

Lab & Transformation Manager - Optical Lens Manufacturing

Full Time | Buckinghamshire | Leading Ophthalmic Lens Manufacturer

This senior position would suit an experienced Optical Lab Manager, Optical Laboratory Manager or Optical Production Manager with a strong background in ophthalmic lens manufacturing.

You will lead a large optical lens production facility, with overall responsibility for a team of approximately 42 people across multiple laboratory departments. You will manage operational performance while developing the people, processes and technology needed to support the laboratory's future growth.

Working closely with the Operations Director, Engineering and Quality Assurance teams, you will maintain excellent production standards and develop a clear transformation strategy for the optical laboratory.

The salary and wider package will be discussed with you in full before your CV or any personal details are shared with the client.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop a laboratory production team of approximately 42 people
• Oversee production across surfacing, inspection, spin tinting, dip tinting, hard coating, anti-reflective coating, final inspection, remote edging, glazing order entry and glazing
• Plan and coordinate production activity to achieve quality, service and customer delivery targets
• Monitor daily and weekly operational performance against agreed KPIs
• Identify production and service risks and develop appropriate contingency plans
• Review existing processes and implement improvements to productivity, quality and workflow
• Develop and deliver a clear transformation strategy for the laboratory
• Support the introduction of new technology, equipment, systems and production methods
• Work closely with Engineering, Quality Assurance and Customer Service to improve operational performance
• Provide regular reporting on production performance, defects, rejects and areas for improvement
• Develop team capability through coaching, training, cross-training and performance management
• Manage departmental costs and contribute to annual budget planning
• Maintain compliance with SOPs, health and safety requirements, PPE policies and relevant UK legislation
• Recruit and develop team members with the skills required to support current operations and future growth
• Lead technical and laboratory performance meetings with internal and external stakeholders

About You

You must be an experienced operational leader with a strong background in ophthalmic lens manufacturing and a thorough understanding of lens production processes.

You will also have:

• Significant experience in a laboratory or production management role within ophthalmic lens manufacturing
• Strong technical knowledge of surfacing, coating, glazing and optical lens production processes
• A proven ability to lead, manage and develop a sizeable production team
• Experience managing operational performance through KPIs and performance metrics
• Knowledge of continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing principles
• Experience delivering process improvements and operational change
• A track record of improving productivity, quality and customer service
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and projects within demanding timescales
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• A good understanding of quality systems, SOPs and health and safety requirements
• Strong IT skills and the ability to produce clear operational reports
• A calm, organised and commercially aware approach

Experience supporting transformation, automation or wider business improvement programmes would be highly desirable.

A Lean Six Sigma, Level 4 Diploma for Ophthalmic Technicians, SMC (Tech), ABDO or equivalent qualification would be beneficial, although this is not essential.

Benefits

• Discretionary annual bonus
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Private healthcare
• Employee assistance and wellbeing support
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• The opportunity to lead a highly skilled optical production facility and influence the future direction of a recognised industry leader

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this position