Manufacturing Operations & Digital Transformation Lead (KTP Associate)

Dunhillmedical; St Asaph; A distancia; GBP 35.000 - 43.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Generous pension scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Annual leave entitlement (competitive)

Employee discounts

Descripción de la vacante

The University of Sheffield AMRC Cymru is offering a three-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate role based at Leader Optec Limited in St. Asaph, North Wales, with time at AMRC Cymru.

You will lead a three-pillar transformation—Lean shopfloor, digital platform, and leadership development—bridging manufacturing, digital systems and change management. You will work with diverse stakeholders, implement data-driven improvements, and contribute to the long-term continuous improvement

Formación

• Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant industry experience.
• Experience of working with manufacturing or operational processes and digital systems across functions.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies (5S, Value Stream Mapping, Kanban).
• Familiarity with Agile or sprint-based approaches to project delivery.
• Experience supporting leadership development and embedding change within an organisation.
• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office.

Responsabilidades

• Lead the three-year KTP project workplan from setup to delivery, including milestones and resourcing.
• Define KPIs with senior management and develop a roadmap for continuous improvement and digital transformation.
• Baseline and map current manufacturing processes to identify efficiency improvements.
• Lead shopfloor engagement to embed Lean, Agile and continuous improvement principles.
• Review and improve shopfloor layouts and workflows using analytical approaches.
• Research and evaluate digital platforms for bespoke ERP tools integration and scalability.
• Develop digital job cards and production tracking with dashboards and system integration.
• Build an integrated information hub connecting sales, procurement and operations to automate workflows.
• Train and support staff across Leader Optec to embed project knowledge.
• Manage project delivery including timelines, budget, risks and stakeholder reporting.
• Disseminate project outcomes through publications and presentations.

Conocimientos

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Agile/project delivery

Change management

Data analysis

English proficiency

MS Office

Educación

Engineering degree

Herramientas

ERP systems

MRP

Production planning software

Descripción del empleo

Manufacturing Operations & Digital Transformation Lead (KTP Associate)

Job Title: Manufacturing Operations & Digital Transformation Lead (KTP Associate)

Posting Start Date: 06/11/2026

Job Id: 3383

School/Department: Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

Work Arrangement: Full Time (On site)

Contract Type: Fixed-term

Salary per annum (£): £39,000

Closing Date: 02/12/2026

Working at Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join a three-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between AMRC Cymru (part of the University of Sheffield AMRC Group) and Leader Optec Limited, a leading UK manufacturer of bespoke, installation-ready fibre-optic cable assemblies for harsh-environment applications, based in St. Asaph, North Wales.

As the KTP Associate, you will be employed by the University of Sheffield but based predominantly at Leader Optec in St. Asaph, with regular time at AMRC Cymru's facility in Broughton, North Wales, accessing the wider AMRC network of digital manufacturing expertise, validated tools and specialist support.

You will lead a three-pillar transformation programme: building an Agile Shopfloor through Lean and Six Sigma practices; developing a Digital Platform that replaces legacy systems with integrated, bespoke ERP tools for planning, production tracking and commercial operations; and embedding Change and Leadership Capability by evolving Leader Optec's Leadership Development Team (LDT) into the long-term engine of continuous improvement and digital transformation. This is a hands-on project leadership role, combining practical manufacturing improvement and digital systems development with the opportunity to influence operational strategy and organisational change.

You will take ownership of project delivery alongside Leader Optec's management team, supported by academic and industrial supervisors and an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Adviser. The KTP also provides opportunities for professional development, including funded management training and a dedicated development budget.

Candidates should bring a genuine interest in Lean, digital systems, and data-driven problem-solving, enjoying working across all business levels to drive new ways of working.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the three-year KTP project workplan covering initial project setup, process mapping, lean shopfloor assessment, digital production tracking, and agile planning and scheduling tools, taking ownership of milestones and deliverables throughout the partnership.
• Work with Leader Optec's Senior Management Team and Leadership Development Team (LDT) to define KPIs and develop a structured roadmap for continuous improvement and digital transformation.
• Undertake a baseline assessment of existing manufacturing processes, using appropriate Lean and continuous improvement techniques to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for operational improvement.
• Lead shopfloor engagement activities to introduce and embed Lean, Agile and continuous improvement principles, supporting the development of shopfloor champions and establishing a regular programme of improvement workshops.
• Review the existing shopfloor layout and manufacturing workflows, exploring, trialling and implementing improved configurations using appropriate analytical and iterative approaches.
• Research and evaluate suitable digital platforms for developing and integrating bespoke business management tools, including supplier engagement and solution selection, ensuring the chosen approach is scalable and maintainable by Leader Optec.
• Develop and implement improved resource planning and scheduling tools, incorporating a skills matrix to support more effective, data-driven production planning.
• Develop and implement digital job card and production tracking capabilities, incorporating appropriate dashboards and integration with existing business systems.
• Develop an integrated information hub connecting sales, procurement and commercial operations, identifying opportunities to automate workflows and improve information sharing and decision-making.
• Engage, train and support staff across all levels of Leader Optec through workshops and one-to-one sessions, embedding project knowledge within the LDT and wider workforce.
• Manage project delivery, including timescales, budget, risks and resources, and report progress regularly to project stakeholders.
• Contribute to the dissemination of project outcomes through publications and presentations at regional and national events.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant industry experience.

Essential

Application

Experience of working with manufacturing or operational processes and associated digital systems, with an understanding of how information, resources and activities are managed across different business functions.

Essential

Application / Interview

Working knowledge of, or genuine interest in, Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies such as Value Stream Mapping, 5S or Kanban. A structured, evidence-based approach to problem-solving is essential.

Essential

Application / Interview

Familiarity with Agile or sprint-based approaches to project delivery, development or improvement activity whether applied to digital tool building, operational change or shopfloor improvement.

Essential

Application / Interview

Experience of, or genuine interest in, supporting leadership development and embedding change within an organisation, such as facilitating workshops, co-developing structured improvement plans with teams, or working alongside management to sustain new ways of working.

Essential

Application / Interview

Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage confidently with stakeholders across all levels of a business.

Essential

Application / Interview

Confidence and resilience to lead cultural and process change within a live production environment, communicating complex ideas clearly to a non-technical audience.

Essential

Interview

Proficiency in verbal and written English.

Essential

Application / Interview

Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.).

Essential

Application

A formal Lean or Six Sigma qualification or training (e.g., Yellow Belt, Green Belt).

Desirable

Application

Experience of ERP, MRP, production planning, scheduling or related business management systems, including their development, implementation or improvement.

Desirable

Application / Interview

Prior experience of process improvement or digital transformation projects in an industrial or commercial setting.

Essential

Application / Interview

Further Information

Grade

Offscale (equivalent to G7.5 - 7.7)

Salary

£39,000 per annum

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

36 months

Business Supervisor

Commercial Manager

Knowledge Base Supervisor

Manufacturing Research Engineer

Right to work in the UK

If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website .

Our website

https://www.amrc.co.uk/

Note: Car parking charges apply for staff at the AMRC Cymru (£13 / month 2026-27) for University sustainability targets.

Closing Date

02/12/2026

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

For informal enquiries about this job contact Alex Lewis, Manufacturing Engineering Lead: on [e-mail]

Next steps in the recruitment process: This will consist of an application screening process followed by an interview process with a short presentation. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Sian Price, [e-mail].

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

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