Manufacturing digitalisation specialist/spoc

Randstad Inhouse Services; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 42,198 - 51,575; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual raises

Development programme

Vehicle purchase scheme

Pension

Cycle to work

On-site facilities (gym, sauna, etc.)

Work‑life balance

Diversity & Inclusion

Job summary

Ford Halewood is seeking a Manufacturing Digitalisation Specialist/SPOC to drive the plant's digital transformation, collaborating with Plant IT, Ford Production System, Global IT, Data Science and AI teams to develop, deploy and maintain digital tools that improve manufacturing processes.

You will roll out Ford's global standard tools such as eFPS while identifying bespoke Halewood solutions and representing Halewood in European digitalisation forums.

Qualifications

• Qualification in Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related field.
• Experience in manufacturing operations and digital transformation initiatives.
• Understanding of how digitalisation applies in manufacturing.
• Ability to discuss both digital/data concepts and physical manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of data architectures, cloud data pipelines, databases, Node-RED and prompt engineering.
• Strong problem‑solving skills translating business challenges into digital solutions.
• Excellent communication to work with IT, engineering, data science, production and leadership.
• Proactive mindset to explore ideas and build business cases.
• Ford behaviours, Zero Accident culture and commitment to DEI.

Responsibilities

• Act as Halewood's key point of contact for manufacturing digitalisation.
• Support development, deployment and maintenance of digital manufacturing tools including eFPS, IIOT, DWT Wrapper, DCC, PCC and BCC dashboards.
• Develop and support a digital transformation roadmap focused on efficiency, waste reduction and process improvement.
• Partner with Data Science and AI teams to explore predictive analytics for production processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing performance through digital tools, automation, data insights and Industry 4.0.
• Create governance and change management processes for internally developed digital tools.
• Define and monitor KPIs to measure success and ROI of digital initiatives.
• Act as the link between IT, data, manufacturing and plant floor operators for practical solutions.
• Represent Halewood in European digitalisation forums, sharing best practice.
• Proactively explore new technologies and engage with technology partners.
• Support Plant IT workload when possible.

Skills

Digital transformation

Manufacturing know-how

Data architectures

Cloud data pipelines

Node-RED

Prompt engineering

Problem solving

Stakeholder communication

Governance

Industry 4.0

Education

Engineering degree

Computer Science

Software Engineering

Tools

eFPS

IIOT

DWT Wrapper

DCC

PCC

BCC dashboards

Job description

Manufacturing Digitalisation Specialist/SPOC

Location: Ford Halewood Transmissions Plant

Salary: £46,587.88 (Inclusive of 35% holiday bonus for 33 days per year: 25 vacation days plus 8 bank holidays)

Contract: Permanent Hours: Monday to Thursday, 7:00am-3:30pm, and Friday, 7:00am-12:30pm

Ford Halewood is undergoing an exciting transformation as we continue to develop smarter, more efficient and more connected manufacturing processes.

As our Manufacturing Digitalisation Specialist/Single Point of Contact, you will play a key role in supporting the plant's digital transformation journey. Working closely with Plant IT, Ford Production System teams, Global IT, Data Science and AI teams, you will help develop, deploy and maintain digital tools that improve manufacturing processes across the site.

You will support the rollout of existing Ford global standard tools, including eFPS, while also identifying opportunities to create bespoke digital solutions that address Halewood-specific challenges. You will also represent Halewood within the wider European Digitalisation network, sharing best practice and helping successful ideas to be scaled across other Ford plants.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys combining manufacturing knowledge with digital innovation, problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Halewood's key point of contact for manufacturing digitalisation.
• Support the development, deployment and maintenance of digital manufacturing tools, including eFPS, IIOT, DWT Wrapper, DCC, PCC and BCC dashboards.
• Work with key stakeholders to develop and support a digital transformation roadmap focused on efficiency, waste reduction and process improvement.
• Partner with Data Science and AI teams to explore how predictive analytics can support production processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing performance through digital tools, automation, data insights and Industry 4.0 solutions.
• Create governance and change management processes for internally developed digital tools, ensuring they remain secure, structured and sustainable.
• Define and monitor KPIs to measure the success and return on investment of digital initiatives.
• Act as the link between IT, data teams, manufacturing teams and plant floor operators to ensure digital solutions are practical, user-friendly and impactful.
• Represent Halewood in European digitalisation forums, supporting cross-plant knowledge sharing and best practice.
• Proactively explore new technologies, build business cases and engage with technology partners where appropriate.
• Support Plant IT operational responsibilities when workload allows.
• Some travel may be required during the year to attend innovation workshops with the Alliance.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who is curious, proactive and confident working across both manufacturing and digital environments.

Qualifications

• A qualification in Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related field.
• Experience within manufacturing operations, ideally supporting digital transformation, Industry 4.0, automation or process improvement initiatives.
• An understanding of how digitalisation can be applied within a manufacturing environment.
• The ability to discuss both digital/data concepts and physical manufacturing processes, including mechanical assembly lines.
• Knowledge of data architectures, cloud computing data pipelines, databases, Node-RED and prompt engineering.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate business challenges into practical digital solutions.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to work with stakeholders across IT, engineering, data science, production and leadership teams.
• A proactive mindset, with the ability to explore new ideas, identify opportunities and clearly communicate business cases.
• Role model Ford+ behaviours, champion a Zero Accident culture and support Ford's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in everything you do.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual increases
• Access to Ford's Employee Development & Assistance Programme
• Ford Privilege Vehicle Purchase Scheme
• Competitive pension scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Excellent on‑site facilities, including gym, sauna, and steam room
• A strong focus on work‑life balance and long‑term career development
• Diversity & Inclusion

Ford is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or belief, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.