What is the job?
As a Lead Manufacturing Operator, you will be very much ‘hands on’ in this physical role, working as part of the production team, expressing a can‑do attitude and eye for safety, quality, delivery and cost. You’ll support the Value Stream Supervisor in setting the direction for the cell, closely supporting all operators to achieve adherence to safety requirements, high attention to quality and on‑time delivery of components or product.
Working Hours
Monday – Thursday 7:30 am – 4:30 pm and Friday 7:30 am – 12:30 pm
Department
Leg and Frame Production
Interview Process
2‑stage process following shortlisting – First stage: 30‑minute Teams interview; Second stage: On‑site 2‑hour interview.
About Thorlabs
Thorlabs is a global, industry‑leading optical technologies company. We are experts in the design and manufacture of a range of innovative photonics products, used in manufacturing and research from fibre optics to piezo motors. We are the gold standard with optics laboratories worldwide, with 22 facilities across the world in 9 countries. Here in Ely, we are responsible for the Motion Control and Optical Tables product line.
Location
Our purpose‑built facility is just 12 miles from Cambridge, within the beautiful medieval city of Ely. There are train and bus links to Ely from Kings Cross and Liverpool Street London, and our site is within distance of Ely train station and Ely bus station.
Requirements
- Apprenticeship trained or equivalent experience or qualifications
- Minimum 3 years in a manufacturing environment
- An appreciation of LEAN manufacturing techniques and quality improvement systems
- Experienced in troubleshooting and finding root causes and solutions for technical problems
- Take pride in your work, that after a training period every product you build is to the required quality standard
- Ability to both follow and adapt Standard Operating Procedures
- Mechanical aptitude
- Ability to take initiative and problem‑solve
- A positive approach to continuous improvement activities
- Respectful work ethic and work well with a diverse team
- Clear and collaborative communicator
- Positive contribution to multi‑disciplinary initiatives
What We Would Like You To Do / To See
- Ensure all operators are working safely, adhering to all PPE requirements and safe working practices
- Motivate, support, train and guide team members
- Support in leading an allocated team to achieve manufacturing targets
- Drive cross‑training and team development to improve quality, output and flexibility within the team
- Ensure all team members have signed appropriate risk assessments, SSOW and competence forms for all the tasks that they are doing
- Effectively manage and distribute resources and tasks on a daily basis
- Work collaboratively with the tables team to collectively develop strategies to promote team member adherence to company and industry regulations
- Co‑ordinate with other production line cell leaders, planning, logistics and quality to ensure that orders are tracked, and fulfilled in a timely manner to the quality standard expected
What Will You Get?
At Thorlabs there are lots of opportunities for in‑house customised training and development that accelerates your career progression. We have free on‑site parking, free refreshments, and an entertainment area in our large canteen for your enjoyment.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and excellent benefits package including pension, health care, 25 days holiday plus public holidays
- Contributed Pension Scheme—Group Life Cover—Private Health Care—Group Income Protection & more
Job Reference: THOR‑VC‑1784
This is a rolling campaign, so we will actively interview applicants. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
We welcome applications from persons who are over 18 years old. This is a legal requirement; further information is here: School leaving age – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
This role does not currently meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria for obtaining a Skilled Worker Visa; therefore, we are unable to accept applications that require employer sponsorship in order to obtain a Skilled Worker Visa. All offers of employment are subject to eligibility to work in the UK.
We would encourage all internal applicants to inform their line managers of their interest in this position.
We are Disability Confident Committed.
Please apply through the Apply For This Job button or send a copy of your CV along with a cover letter and your salary expectations to: Human Resources at Thorlabs Ltd, 204 Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely, Cambs, CB6 3NX or e‑mail recruitment@thorlabs.com.
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