Senior Optical Lab Transformation Manager

Zest Business Group; England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Company pension scheme

Life assurance

Private healthcare

Employee assistance and wellbeing

Job summary

Zest Optical, a leading ophthalmic lens manufacturer in Buckinghamshire, seeks an experienced Lab & Transformation Manager to lead a 42-person optical production team. You will drive the transformation strategy, oversee surfacing, coating, glazing and related processes, and partner with Engineering, QA and Customer Service to raise performance and quality.

This senior role requires strong leadership, Lean experience, and a track record of delivering process improvements in a fast-paced lab

Qualifications

• Significant experience in laboratory or production management within ophthalmic lens manufacturing.
• Strong technical knowledge of surfacing, coating, glazing and optical lens production processes.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a sizeable production team.
• Experience driving operational performance through KPIs and metrics.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a laboratory production team of approx. 42 people.
• Oversee production across surfacing, inspection, spin tinting, dip tinting, hard coating, AR coating, final inspection, remote edging, glazing order entry and glazing.
• Plan and coordinate production to meet quality, service and delivery targets.
• Monitor daily/weekly performance against KPIs; identify risks and implement contingency plans.
• Develop and deliver a clear transformation strategy for the laboratory.
• Support introduction of new technology, equipment, and production methods.
• Collaborate with Engineering, QA and Customer Service to improve performance.
• Provide regular reporting on production performance, defects, rejects and improvements.
• Coach and develop team members; manage costs and budget; ensure SOPs and health & safety compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

KPIs

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Lean Six Sigma Level 4 Diploma for Ophthalmic Technicians

Tools

Surfacing

Coating

Glazing

Job description

Zest Optical, a leading ophthalmic lens manufacturer in Buckinghamshire, seeks an experienced Lab & Transformation Manager to lead a 42-person optical production team. You will drive the transformation strategy, oversee surfacing, coating, glazing and related processes, and partner with Engineering, QA and Customer Service to raise performance and quality.

This senior role requires strong leadership, Lean experience, and a track record of delivering process improvements in a fast-paced lab