Digital Lead

At Sheffield Forgemasters we have an exciting opportunity for a Digital Lead to join our team.

This role is based at our 64-acre site, sitting in the heart of Sheffield, and will be working as part of our Recapitalisation Team. Our Recapitalisation Team deliver a programme of work specifically focused on substantial critical asset renewal, including but not limited to: A new Forge building with a new Forge press, offices & water pumping station; New Machine Shops; Investment in flood prevention measures and Facilities upgrades to improve the working environment for colleagues.

As a Digital Lead, you will deliver digital solutions for operational requirements and ensuring all actions and milestones are met to deliver the company's operational digitisation strategy.

What you’ll be doing

• Working with operational areas to understand how digital enhancement will improve their processes and methods of working.
• Leadership of a Digitalisation Team.
• Develop a strategy to enable the digital manufacturing future.
• Ensure all digital security requirements have the relevant controls in place to protect information.
• Develop industry leading digital capabilities and solutions that can be deployed across site.
• Digitise paper-based processes to improve control and accessibility of data and information.
• Identify and utilise IT solutions to collect real-time product and process data, to be used to make data driven decisions.
• Explore and maximise the use of Virtual Manufacturing & Commissioning; Intelligent Manufacturing Processes; Digital Tool Management Systems and Digital Product Verification, wherever feasible.

About You

• Previous experience in a digital transformation role.
• A Strong background in data capture and implementing processes led by data.
• Exceptional team leadership skills.
• Demonstrable experience of driving a digital agenda across an organisation.
• Extensive change management experience.
• A background in Operations is a distinct advantage, as is experience working in the heavy manufacturing sector.
• Proven record of identifying learning and development needs for each stage of the digital transformation.
• A strong influencer and communicator.
• Knowledge of automation, robotics an emerging technologies is a distinct advantage.

As well as having the skills, knowledge and experience for this role, we are also looking for someone who embodies our core values: Customer Focus; Working Together; Trust & Respect; Quality & Innovation and Safety & Wellbeing.

The Working Pattern

This is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday. We offer flexibility in our start and finish times between 06:15 - 09:30 and 14:30 – 18:00.

Why Sheffield Forgemasters?

Sheffield Forgemasters celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026 and continues to be an iconic steel production & engineering company, with a history that can be traced back to the 1770s. We have since gone through many evolutions and gone by several different names and guises, whilst consistently being at the forefront of innovation and new process development in the UK steel industry.

Recognising Sheffield Forgemasters as a global leader in the designing, manufacturing and delivering of world-class steel forgings and castings, we were acquired by the UK Ministry of Defence in 2021. The acquisition has secured our role as a critical supplier to the next generation of UK defence programmes. As part of this programme of work, £1.3bn is being invested in modernising our plant and equipment, creating new opportunities for the business and our colleagues.

What We Offer

• Stability, with large-scale & long-term investment and orders already secured into the 2040s.
• A programme of redevelopment that will include state-of-the-art new machinery and facilities on site.
• Up to 9% employer pension contribution.
• Life Assurance Scheme as part of the pension programme, 4 x annual salary.
• All Employee Bonus Scheme, up to £1000 paid annually, dependent on company performance.
• Onsite canteen.
• Free onsite parking and available EV chargers.
• Multi-Faith Room.
• Long service award scheme.
• Free Sheffield Forgemasters branded coat upon joining, with other branded workwear available to purchase online.
• You at Work – Access to online discounts portal.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Discounted Westfield Health Plan Scheme.
• Onsite Occupational Health Team, providing health screening and wellbeing initiatives and support, including but not limited to:
  • Availability to confidentially discuss any physical or mental health concerns.
  • Referrals and access to Physiotherapy sessions, when required.
  • Ear irrigation.
  • Flu Vaccinations.
  • Blood Pressure management clinics.
  • Weight management clinics.
  • Occupational Health checks in line with health promotion and wellbeing events. e.g. Cholesterol, Blood sugar, Icle tests, etc.
  • Health promotion campaigns, utilising outside companies / charities, such as Andy’s Man Club.
  • Access to Zest Fit – Lifestyle Coach.
  • Skills for life sessions offered to all, including CPR, managing bleeds, burns etc.
  • Financial Wellbeing Sessions – Pension providers coming on site to talk to colleagues and offering advice.
  • Chaplain Service.
• Support for ex-military and reservists in employment as a bronze accredited participant in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

Equality and Diversity

Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Sheffield Forgemasters. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our local catchment area and the wider society in the UK, so we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities.

Flexible Working

We recognise the importance of work-life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements that align with our policies. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office-based and remote working. Applicants can request further information regarding the policy and how this may work in their role, from our People & Culture Team and / or the line manager for the applicable role.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. People working with government / MOD assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.

Nationality limitations

Please be aware that many roles at Sheffield Forgemasters are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 - 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

For additional information or if you would like to discuss working for Sheffield Forgemasters or a specific role in more detail, please email .