Innovation Manager

For informal queries, please contact Phil Clements at phil.clements@hvm.catapult.org.uk.

The High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) has recently announced that it is establishing a regional office in the Bay Technology Centre on the Baglan Energy Park, South Wales. The HVMC is a group of world-leading research and innovation centres focussed on transforming manufacturing in the UK. It comprises the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the National Composites Centre (NCC), the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), the Nuclear AMRC, and Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG).

The manufacturing sector is critical to the Welsh economy, accounting for 18.4% of its economic output. The sector faces a number of significant technological challenges, such as the transition to net zero, digitalisation, automation and electrification. The HVMC has already helped thousands of businesses across the UK with these and other challenges, and by setting up the new facility in Baglan, we aim to extend that support to South Wales.

HVMC Baglan is located adjacent to the proposed Celtic Freeport site which is intended to become a centre for the Floating Offshore Wind Sector in the coming years.

Whilst the new office will represent all centres in South Wales, it will be operated by WMG on behalf of the HVMC, and as such, we are recruiting an Innovation Manager to support the new facility. This will be a pivotal role tasked with scoping and delivering new projects, either directly from the new facility in Baglan, or in conjunction with other parts of the HVMC network, or potentially in collaboration with local delivery partners.

The ideal candidate will have experience in Management / Business Development, either within an SME or working with SMEs in the supply chain, with an understanding of at least one or more of the following:

• Digital manufacturing, machine-based data capture and sensors, networks and connectivity, and data analytics
• Manufacturing processes, including products, production, assembly, automation and robotics
• Products and Materials, from design, scale–up to end of life including recycling and onwards re-use.
• Supply chains, lean manufacturing, manufacturing operational efficiency, business models
• Developing winning collaborative bids and R&D propositions

Ideally, you will have had direct experience of working in the manufacturing sector and at least some exposure to the innovation funding landscape in Wales.

We are looking for a great communicator and someone who is client-focused and has a proven track record of success with the ability to get things done working independently and within a team. The ability to build relationships with industrial and academic collaborators to harness capability, and to shape opportunities for business growth, is essential. Ideally, you will have experience of, or a drive to further, digital manufacturing and /or low emission mobility (such as vehicle electrification or intelligent vehicles) and a passion for working with manufacturing companies.

WMG is the largest department at the University of Warwick with over 800 staff, world renowned for providing innovative solutions to industry through its research, development and education programmes. Our industry focussed education portfolio includes nearly 3,000 students studying management, technology and applied engineering subjects, at postgraduate and undergraduate level. We have high expectations for our teaching and our courses are regularly ranked top in the UK and amongst the leading courses in their field in the world.

At WMG we are committed to supporting staff to achieve their potential. We currently hold the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the University of Warwick holds an Institutional Silver Award: a national initiative that recognizes the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression and success for all in academia.

For further information about WMG, please visit our website.

For further information on the WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, please see our website.

We believe there should be no barriers to continuing education, and we strive to ensure that the future workforce has the skills they need to become the UK's upcoming engineers and inventors.

Our unique approach to undergraduate education enables full-time students, Higher Apprentices, and full-time employees to gain an engineering degree.

Our teaching staff deliver educational programmes not just at Warwick, but internationally, and the knowledge we can leverage from our research excellence enables our students to reach their highest possible standards.

Born in the 60s with a mindset of boldness, imagination and collaboration, the University of Warwick is a world-leading research-intensive university with the highest academic and research standards. We’re one of the world’s top universities, ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK*, with 92% of our research assessed to be ‘world leading or internationally excellent’**.

You'll be joining a diverse, innovative and globally connected community committed to igniting real world progress. Here at Warwick, we offer you opportunities to follow your ambitions as long as you bring the energy and determination to succeed.

• QS World University Rankings 2024

** Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 31 March 2024 at 23.55

To apply please complete your essential personal details and attach a CV and cover letter by the closing date.

Please ensure your CV includes your most recent employment experience along with any additional relevant experience and education history.

Your cover letter should detail how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria for this post.

To streamline our hiring process, we kindly request that all candidates submit their applications through our official website. This ensures that all applications are received in a uniform format and can be processed efficiently by our HR team.

The interviews will be held on: TBC

We will provide you with a great range of benefits, which include an attractive pension scheme, 26 or 30 days holiday plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, and onsite childcare facilities.

We are proud to say that we are a Living Wage employer.

If you are considering relocating to the UK, read our Relocation Guide to find out more about what Warwick has to offer and what might be involved in the process.

Warwick is committed to building an organisation of mutual respect and dignity, promoting a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social, and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.

We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation.

The University currently holds a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award, Athena Swan Sliver Award and a Disability Smart Bronze Award. The University of Warwick is also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

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The University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against anyone who makes a Disclosure relating to a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.