Operations Specialist (product development)

Join our innovative Prototype Studio in Creative Play Lab which provides the Product and Marketing Development teams with tools and materials needed to create and test their amazing ideas and concepts. We are seeking an Operations Specialist to help streamline our process, enhance our team's efficiency, and take ownership of key initiatives.

Could you be the right fit for this amazing opportunity? Join our Prototype Studio, where creativity, technology and craftsmanship come together to turn ideas into physical prototypes. You will work closely with our teams across the studio to create the structure, processes and ways of working that enable fast experimentation and bring great ideas to life.

Operations & Process Improvement

• →Develop, implement and continuously optimize operational processes across software, hardware, prototyping and fabrication workflows.
• →Build structure and clarity in a fast moving, ambiguous and highly experimental studio.
• →Maintain and improve compliance processes and documentation.

Project & Programme Management

• →Coordinate planning, resourcing, scheduling and relevant cross-team dependencies across multiple project initiatives
• →Build visibility and transparency into all project stages using effective tooling (eg. Sharepoint, Jira, Confluence).
• →Drive continuous improvement across workflows for our Machine Workshop, Graphic Lab, TechLab, 3D print, MakerLab and Element Stock, to enable fast prototyping.
• →Provide weekly leadership status reports on all studio activities and resourcing.

Studio Operations & Team Enablement

• →Establish and maintain good operational practices, clear communication, concise documentation and any required decision tracking.
• →Coordinate team logistics, travel and events..
• →Own the internal comms, sharing monthly newsletters company wide.
• →Track budgets & report on spending.

Supply Chain/Vendor/Procurement Management

• →Coordinate vendor relationships and maintain the approved vendor list.
• →Evaluate suppliers for reliability, cost, lead time and compliance requirements in cooperation with the Procurement team.

Collaboration & Ways of Working

• →Promote effective ways of working that enable creative, technical and engineering teams to move fast without friction.
• →Bring calm, clarity and structure to a high speed innovation environment.

• Relevant experience in operational, production or project management experience within prototyping, hardware, product development or innovation labs.
• Strong understanding of supply chain and manufacturing workflows and compliance.
• Experience developing and improving operational processes, documentation and compliance practices.
• Experience across digital & software project roll-outs.
• Strong organisational and process improvement skills.
• Confident coordinating projects and working with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong written documentation skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Skilled in workflow tools (Jira, Confluence or similar).
• High level analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proactive and able to work independently, taking responsibility for assigned operational areas and knowing when to involve relevant stakeholders.
• Calm and structured approach, with great communication skills.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. However, please note we do amend or withdraw our jobs and reserve the right to do so at any time, including prior to any advertised closing date. So, if you're interested in this role we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Here is what you can expect: