This Knowledge Transfer Partnership project aims to review, integrate and optimise the operational and business management processes and exploit the benefits of digitisation to deliver improved efficiency and productivity at Protaform Springs and Pressings (PSP). The project will address PSP’s strategic need to address limitations set by incumbent processes and improve operational efficiency to reduce costs, improve service and enhance sustainability.

This is an exciting position for an MSc level graduate with 1-2 years' experience of working in a manufacturing setting to implement Industry 5.0 principles to address / replace current paper-based process and lack of integration across the business.

Candidate Profile: Qualified to MSc level, ideally with a first degree in either Production or Industrial Engineering followed by a master’s degree focussed on Business/ Operations Management with relevant IT modules.

Skills/ experience required include:

• Experience of working in a manufacturing setting with some experience of digital manufacturing and modern management practices
• Understanding, at least at a conceptual level of Industry 5.0.
• Experience working in manufacturing settings with some experience of technologies such as smart/digital manufacturing/ERP technologi
• Knowledge of modern management practices such as lean and six sigma
• Understanding, at least at a conceptual level, of Industry 5.0
• Some technical understanding, practical experience or a willingness to learn:

• Theoretical framework for implementation of Industry 5.0 which will include a reference model and systems model to evaluate PSP digital maturity
• Production management flow analysis techniques to measure KPIs
• Management tools such as Soft Systems Methodologies, Business model Canvas and Value Stream Mapping
• Digital twins and digital dashboards
• Accessing data, data analytics, Data Flow Diagrams.
• Working with hardware and programmable logic control (plc) systems
• High-level programming languages e.g., Python
• Knowledge of statistical software and simulation packages e.g., SPSS, R, Anylogic.

Main responsibilities:

• Review of top-level business strategy including supply chain, partnership and customer issues
• Create a culture that embraces new integrative technologies and a forward-thinking Industry 5.0 philosophy to empower employees to make data driven decisions
• Integrate new processes and information flows with the supply chain in parallel with introducing a data-based decision-making process
• Review, improvement and implementation of better integration between design and production planning and control, and supply chain and reduce reliance on manual systems
• Clean, analyse and display data in a quick and easily accessible format (e.g., digital dashboard).
• Identify any skills gaps in the company and develop appropriate learning material and deliver training workshops
• Deliver regular project updates across the business to ensure all staff are updated on the progress of the KTP project

Personal attributes:

• Strong interpersonal skills, good communication skills
• The ability to work within a multidisciplinary project team
• Leadership and maturity of communication and organisation skills to deliver the KTP project and ensure it achieves agreed milestones and objectives
• Ability to work independently and use initiative
• Strong desire to pursue innovative approaches and pathways
• Ability to work closely with all stakeholders and establish an effective knowledge transfer process in the company

Additional Benefits and support:

• Up to £4000 for personal and professional development for the duration of the project
• Annual leave (25 days p/a)
• Professional support and mentorship
• Mental Health and wellbeing support: https://www.aston.ac.uk/staff-public/hr/Benefits-and-Rewards/health-wellbeing

Career prospects:

60% of our KTP associates are being offered employment by the companies at the end of the KTP

This is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funded by Protaform Springs and Pressings Ltd and Innovate UK.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are collaborative, three-way partnerships creating positive impact and driving innovation by linking various businesses with the UK's world class knowledge bases to deliver innovation projects led by skilled graduates.

It is essential you understand how KTP works and the vital role you will play if you secure this position. To learn more please visit: www.aston.ac.uk/ktp

The Company: Protaform are manufacturers and suppliers of springs, pressworks, wireforms and multiforms to ISO 9001:2015 standard and providing assembly, tooling and design and welding services from the base in Redditch, England. More about the company: https://protaform.com/

Aston University: You will work in a project team with Prof Ben Clegg, Dr Donato Masi, Dr Ammar Al-Bazi and the Senior Management Team at Protaform with the support of the IUK’s Knowledge Transfer Adviser.

Location: You will be based predominantly at Protaform in Redditch. And will also have access to facilities at Aston University in central Birmingham. Some travel to key clients may also be required.

For informal enquiries about this role please contact Prof Ben Clegg, b.t.clegg@aston.ac.uk or Donato Masi, d.masi@aston.ac.uk at Aston Business School.

If you think this isn’t the right opportunity for you, please explore other KTP vacancies across the country: https://www.ktp-uk.org/jobs/