Made Smarter Technology Adoption Specialist

**Description**:
**Made Smarter**

Made Smarter is a Department for Business and Trade (DBT) funded programme that focuses on boosting manufacturing SME productivity, growth and efficiency. It was launched five years ago in the North-West of England and has since been rolled out across another five regions in the UK. The programme will launch in London in April 2025 and will be delivered by L&P in the Small Business Directorate.

**Purpose of the role**

To manage a portfolio of manufacturing & engineering SMEs who have engaged with the Made Smarter London Adoption Programme; helping them to transform their business through the adoption of Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs). The Technology Specialist will be the main point of contact for their clients and will work with them to create a bespoke IDT transformation roadmap plan. The Technology Adoption Specialist (TAS) will outreach to small manufacturing and engineering businesses; deliver specialist advice when required and manage the relationship with relevant SME sector networks.

The TAS will operate all across London and will work from the L&P main office as well as remotely, including site visits to the business’ premisses of the firms supported.

**Key Tasks**:

- Engage with London-based SME manufactures to asses their business’ needs and onboard them onto the Made Smarter programme and/ or other suitable business support.
- Each TAS will manage a portfolio of 100+ London-based SME manufacturers over the lifetime of the programme.
- Facilitate diagnostic workshops at the customer’s premises, using a range of people-centred methodologies to understand and prioritise opportunities for the adoption of IDTs
- Create an action plan (IDT Transformation Roadmap) that directly responds to these opportunities, sets success metrics to measure against, introduces best-practice and further specialist support services.
- Act as the account manager for customers taking them through their Made Smarter journey. Attend to all training sessions and site visits with the business’ cohorts.
- Support the customer in completing the IDT Transformation Roadmap. Facilitate access to specialist support services. These may include technology providers; organisation and workforce development advice and training; Innovation & Internships projects; and other referrals to the London and National business support offer.
- Develop and maintain a network of business and professional contacts that generate new leads and referrals.
- Ensure customer enquiries and partner referrals are correctly recorded on the CRM system and associated service-specific data capturing systems.
- Ensure that the monitoring and collection of output and impacts data is undertaken throughout the support given, in-line with funders’ requirements.
- Support and attend events on behalf of the Made Smarter programme.
- Assist our marketing resources in the development of good quality case studies.

**You’ll have/bring**:

- Demonstrable experience and evidence of successful IDT project delivery and implementation in at least one relevant IDT area of specialism, such as Big Data Analytics; product or process modelling and simulation; Augmented or Virtual Reality (AR/VR); Systems Integration; Additive Manufacturing; Cybersecurity, Sensor Technology and or Artificial Intelligence.
- Evidence of experience of working with senior management in the manufacturing and/or other sectors, with product/service/process design and development expertise from conception to commercialisation.
- Experience of working with businesses to achieve outcomes for their organisation such as productivity, competitiveness and sustainability.
- Excellent relationship management experience, with both internal interfaces and external stakeholders, customers and suppliers
- An extensive knowledge of the business support landscape, with demonstrable experience of working cross sector and or industry with local, regional or national organisations.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

**Essential Skills**:

- Account management skills
- Presentation skills both written and oral
- Excellent communication and networking skills
- Excellent planning, organisational, administrative and project management skills

**Knowledge**:

- Has technical expertise in a number of the key areas of IDT.
- At least degree level with a relevant technical, digital or business education with relevant experience of digital technologies or degree level qualification with a management body or the relevant business experience to match.
- Knowledge of current IDT landscape and active interest in updating of knowledge in a fast-developing environment
- Knowledge of budget and contract management practice.
- Knowledge and understanding of the key national, sub-regional and local organisations that can support the implementation of identified solutions for SMEs.
- Understanding of customer focused approach of working with businesses to foster engagement an