Material Flow Improvement Technician - 1831

What is the job?

This role involves hands-on experience across all Stores, Packing, and Shipping tasks within the Motion Control Business Unit, with the aim of identifying and delivering continuous improvement projects that eliminate waste, increase accuracy, and optimise material flow. This role collaborates closely with our Lean team, Supply Chain team, front line leaders, and the BU Leader.

Working Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm

Department: Motion Control

Interview process: 2 stage process following shortlisting – First stage: 1 Hour Teams interview Second stage: Onsite 3-hour interview

Who we are?

Thorlabs is a global, industry leading optical technologies company. We are experts in the design and manufacture of a range of innovative photonics products. We use these products in manufacturing and research, from fibre optics to piezo motors. We are the gold standard with optics laboratories worldwide. There are now 22 facilities across the world in 9 countries. Here in Ely, we are responsible for the Motion Control and Optical Tables product line.

Where you will be working?

Our purpose-built facility is just 12 miles from Cambridge, within the beautiful mediaeval 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.

What is essential to us…

• Proven experience in process improvement and implementation
• Working knowledge of lean/continuous improvement principles and methodology
• Knowledge of and experience with material handling environment (Stores, Packing, Logistics)
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication and presentation skills, with ability to develop and deliver trainable instructions
• Excellent administrative, communication, planning and organisational skills
• Proficient in using ERP systems
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment to progress continuous improvement projects through to completion
• Ability to think outside the box and be open to new ideas
• Strong work ethic with demonstrated initiative and commitment
• Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback, positive and negative

What we would like you to do/ to see…

Time allocation is flexible daily, with priority given to customer deadlines.

Hands-on support for Stores and Packing teams – 50%

Stores:

• Pick required items for Works orders according to start date
• Provide production support activities such as cleaning components using an ultrasonic tank, laser etching, and generating and printing serial number labels
• Put away incoming items (components, sub-assemblies, and finished goods) on ERP system and place in designated location
• Follow standard work for FIFO (First In First Out) and PFEP (Plan for Every Part) to ensure stock is stored and consumed appropriately
• Replenish point of use stock locations as required, including kanbans and replacement of production rejects
• Conduct cycle counts

Packing and Shipping:

• Accurately process paperwork for outgoing shipments, including the printing of delivery notes and the picking of items for shipping
• Pack finished goods in line with SOPs
• Assign packed items across global warehouses based on requested delivery date
• Load items for shipment to global warehouses and complete shipping paperwork

Continuous Improvement Projects - 50%

• Use knowledge gained from hands on experience in Stores and Packing team to identify waste and lead continuous improvement projects using common lean tools and concepts that support end to end material flow

• Liaise with Lean team on continuous improvement activities such as:

- Value Stream Mapping exercises to improve material flow  

- A3 team projects to discover and eliminate root cause of stock accuracy issues

- Kaizen workshops to solve challenging and engrained material flow problems

• Actively support projects such as reducing material handling errors, streamlining locations within Motion Control, improving the flow of receiving and put away of items

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 onsite parking, free refreshments, as well as an entertainment area in our large canteen for your enjoyment.

And the benefits are?

Competitive Salary to attract the best, plus an excellent benefits package including pension, health care, 25 days holiday plus public holidays.

Job Reference: THOR-VC-1831

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 we are therefore 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.

-Contributed Pension Scheme -Group Life Cover -Private Health Care -Group Income Protection & more.

Please apply through the Apply for this job button or send a copy of your CV along with a covering letter and your salary expectations to: Human Resources at Thorlabs Ltd, 204 Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely, Cambs, CB6 3NX or e-mail [email protected].

We are Disability Confident Committed

In line with the requirements of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, all applicants must have a valid permission to enter or remain in the UK with no condition that prevents them from working in the UK. Documented evidence of such permission will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process.