Operational Excellence - KTP Associate

This is an exciting opportunity to work full time on a 30-month collaborative partnership between Anglia Ruskin University and Wealmoor Limited. The project will embed continuous improvement practices and analytics capabilities to enable measurable reductions in cost, waste, and environmental impact creating a more competitive tendering proposition to clients.

About Wealmoor Ltd

Wealmoor Ltd is a long established forward-thinking, family-owned business specialising in the growing, packing and marketing of subtropical fresh fruits and vegetables from all over the world. 

About the role

This position offers an excellent opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research while working closely with an industry partner to drive innovation and commercial impact. The role is well-suited to an expert, agile project manager with key competencies in lean management, value stream mapping and operational analytics, ideally supported by a background in industry related process review and value chain optimisation. Candidates with knowledge of data driven supply chains, value chain analysis and automation deployment and PowerBI or SQL will be particularly encouraged.

The candidate will work at the interface of academia and industry, gaining experience in data analysis, operational analytics, and commercial translation. The role will lead a complex project within a fast-paced fresh produce environment requiring analytical thinking and confidence to engage a variety of stakeholders. It will involve designing and conducting lean based activities, presenting findings to both technical and non-technical audiences, and identifying and upskilling internal champions ensuring a lasting legacy of continuous improvement. This is a rare opportunity to apply your scientific skills in a commercially focused environment, broaden your professional development, and make a tangible impact within a key industry sector.

Although you’ll be employed by ARU, you’ll be based at Wealmoor Ltd’s Greenford factory in Middlesex.

About ARU

ARU is a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. ARU was recently awarded the Most Transformational KTP Award for 2025 and holds a Gold award for the quality of its education, awarded through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). ARU’s research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK’s Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world leading.

About the KTP programme

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are unique, three-way collaborations powering innovation. For nearly 50 years, KTPs have been helping businesses innovate for growth. They do this by connecting businesses that have an innovative idea with academic expertise to help deliver it. There are over 870 businesses, 100 knowledge bases (universities and other research organisations) and over 800 graduates involved in KTPs.

For further information: Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (ktp-uk.org)

For further information or enquiries about this role please email manoj.dora@aru.ac.uk or ben.hooson@aru.ac.uk.

Please note that interviews are expected to take place on June 5th 2026.

Find out more about working with us and how we recruit.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that ARU will carry out online searches as part of the due diligence on short listed candidates.

We have a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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