*Job Purpose** LLIPL is wholly owned subsidiary of Lawson Fuses in UK and is seeking an experienced Assistant Operations Manager – Automation \& Manufacturing who will act as the second\-in\-command for plant operations, combining strong operational leadership with deep, hands\-on automation capability. The role is accountable for driving manufacturing performance through automation, process standardization, and disciplined execution, while supporting the Ops manager in ensuring safety, quality, cost, delivery and people development objectives are consistently met. LLIPL is becoming the primary global manufacturing hub for Lawson Fuses Limited, with increasing reliance on automated and semi\-automated manufacturing systems to improve productivity, cost competitiveness and quality. As the plant scales and matures, this role will play a pivotal part in stabilizing operations, leading automation deployment and embedding a high\-performance manufacturing culture. **Job Context** Incorporated in 1938, Lawson Fuses Limited (LFL), is an established British and global brand that operates in the fusegear market with a focus on design, development and manufacture of low voltage High Rupture Capacity (HRC) fuse\-links and associated fuse holders. LFL’s products are ASTA certified and comply with IEC/BS/ENA standards and accepted throughout the world. With manufacturing facilities based in UK and India (LLIPL), LFL’s global clientele is spread across several countries including (not limited to) UK, Middle East, Africa, India, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea and Hong Kong. With ISO 17025 ASTA certified R\&D lab and ASTA certified manufacturing plants, LFL is keen on safety, quality and speed of product delivery. From 2018, LFL is part of Lucy Group which is a diversified international group head quartered in Oxford, UK and operates in multiple sectors including Power Distribution, Smart Lighting, Fusegear and Real Estate. Lawson Fuses, under the banner of Lucy Group, is focusing on accelerated growth of its product line and subsequently the share of the market. **Job Dimensions** This role will report to the Operations Manager of the business and focus on following job dimensions * Automation Leadership \& Manufacturing Digitisation (Primary Responsibility) * Operations Leadership and Execution (Core Strength) * Production Performance and KPI Ownership * Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing * Quality, Safety and Compliance * People Capability and Leadership Development First 6\-8 months no direct reports as focus will be more into automation management and after the initial period the structure will be evaluated for direct reports based on needs of the business. However, role will have all importance and authority levels for being the deputy to the current Ops Manager. **Key Accountabilities** * **Automation Leadership \& Manufacturing Digitisation (Primary Responsibility****)** + Own and lead the automation and digitisation roadmap for the Vadodara manufacturing plant in line with business growth, cost, and productivity objectives. + Identify, evaluate, and implement automation and semi automation opportunities across manufacturing, assembly, testing, and material handling. + Lead automation initiatives end to end, including: i. Concept development and feasibility assessment ii. Business case and ROI justification iii. Vendor / OEM engagement and technical reviews iv. Installation, commissioning, and ramp up v. Stabilisation and handover to operations + Ensure automation solutions deliver measurable improvements in: i. Throughput and cycle time ii. Labour productivity iii. Quality consistency and error reduction + Operational cost reduction + Act as the technical authority on the shop floor for automation systems, capable of guiding technicians, challenging suppliers, and troubleshooting issues. + Drive manufacturing digitisation initiatives such as data capture, performance visibility, and automation enabled KPI tracking where applicable. + Ensure all automation systems meet safety, quality, reliability, and maintainability standards. * **Operations Leadership \& Execution (Core Strength)** * Act as Deputy to the Operations Manager, providing strong day to day leadership across manufacturing operations. * Take ownership of execution of production plans, ensuring targets for safety, quality, cost, delivery, and productivity are consistently achieved. * Support and at times lead: i. Daily production reviews ii. Cross functional problem solving iii. Operational prioritisation and escalation + Ensure strong shop floor discipline, adherence to SOPs, standard work, and production controls. + Step in as plant operations lead during absences of the Operations Manager. 3\. **Production Performance \& KPI Ownership** * Own and drive operational KPIs including: i. OEE ii. Throughput and labour efficiency iii. Downtime, scrap, and rework iv. On‑time delivery * Use data, ERP systems, and production reports to identify trends and drive corrective actions. * Lead structured root cause analysis and corrective / preventive action processes. 4\. **Continuous Improvement \& Lean Manufacturing** * Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation enabled productivity gains. * Apply Lean / Kaizen principles to eliminate waste and stabilise processes before and after automation. * Standardise layouts, workflows, work instructions, and cycle times to support scalable production. 5\. **Quality, Safety \& Compliance** * Ensure automation and manufacturing processes comply with quality systems and regulatory requirements. * Champion a safety first culture, particularly around automated and semi automated equipment. * Support investigations and corrective actions for quality and safety incidents. 6\. **People Capability \& Leadership Development** * Develop production supervisors, technicians, and operators to effectively run and sustain automated systems. * Build in‑house capability for basic troubleshooting and maintenance of automation. * Actively coach and mentor team members, strengthening the plant’s leadership pipeline. * Support succession planning for key operational roles. **Qualifications, Experience \& Skills** Qualifications: * B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Industrial Engineering. * Post‑graduate qualification in Operations / Manufacturing Management is desirable. Experience Level (Mandatory): * 8–12 years’ experience in manufacturing operations. * Minimum 3–5 years leading automation‑enabled manufacturing environments. * Demonstrated success in implementing and stabilising automated or semi‑automated production systems. * Experience in electromechanical / electrical manufacturing strongly preferred. *Automation \& Technical Capability (Strong Requirement)* * Hands‑on working knowledge of: + Industrial automation systems (PLC‑based equipment, sensors, actuators) + Pneumatics, fixtures, tooling, and material flow automation + Ability to: - Define automation requirements - Review and challenge design proposals - Lead commissioning and line stabilisation + Strong understanding of how automation impacts cost, labour, quality, and throughput. + Operational and Leadership Skills + Strong understanding of manufacturing cost drivers and operational KPIs. + Proven leadership…