Battery Prototyping Manager in Oxford

Purpose of the Role

The Prototyping Team Manager leads the end‑to‑end operation of Agratas’ R&D prototyping line, ensuring safe, high‑quality, and efficient execution of battery electrode, cell assembly, and testing activities. This role manages a multidisciplinary team of technicians responsible for executing build requests under strict SOPs while maintaining operational readiness, equipment uptime, material flow, and data integrity. The manager also plays a key role in coordinating with R&D programme teams, facility management, quality, and HSE to ensure the prototyping capability meets evolving technical, throughput, and compliance requirements. This position is based on‑site in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

Key Responsibility Areas

• Prototyping Operations Leadership
  • Oversee full workflow across slurry preparation, electrode coating, calendering, slitting, assembly, formation, and testing.
  • Ensure all builds follow approved SOPs, work instructions, and quality protocols.
  • Allocate daily build tasks, monitor progress, and ensure delivery to programme timelines.
• Team Management & Development
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of Operators, Technicians and Senior Technicians.
  • Maintain skills matrices, identify training needs, and ensure cross‑skilling across processes.
  • Foster a high‑performance culture aligned with 5S, Lean, and high‑integrity data practices.
• Equipment & Facility Readiness
  • Ensure prototyping equipment and environments (including dry rooms, assembly labs, and test stations) remain operational and compliant.
  • Coordinate planned and reactive maintenance with facility management teams.
  • Escalate issues impacting build delivery, and work with engineering teams to drive continuous improvement.
• Safety, Quality & Compliance
  • Ensure strict compliance with chemical handling, dry‑room requirements, PPE, and laboratory safety protocols.
  • Lead safety briefings, audits, and near‑miss investigations alongside the R&D HSE function.
  • Ensure documentation integrity: route cards, traceability records, build data logs, and material tracking.
• Material, Workflow & Data Control
  • Oversee material receipt, quarantine, release, usage, storage, and disposal within prototyping workflows.
  • Ensure traceability from raw materials to finished cells following defined database processes.
  • Ensure accurate documentation of process parameters, in‑line/off‑line QC data, and operator records.
• Stakeholder Coordination & Reporting
  • Serve as the primary interface between the prototyping line and programme R&D teams, providing build status, challenges, and delivery forecasts.
  • Support project managers with scheduling, capacity planning, and cycle‑time estimates.
  • Communicate facility and operational status to senior management.

Qualifications and Experience

• Extensive hands‑on experience in battery electrode processing, cell assembly, and cell testing.
• Strong working knowledge of dry‑room operations, clean laboratory practices, and associated equipment.
• Experience leading teams in R&D, prototyping lines, or operational technical environments.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, capable of coordinating technicians, engineers, and cross‑functional partners.
• Ability to solve operational bottlenecks quickly while maintaining quality and safety.
• Competence in data integrity, documentation control, and adherence to SOPs.
• Strong organisational skills suited to fast‑moving R&D environments.

This role is ideal for candidates with proven battery production experience who are looking to step into a team management position.

What You’ll Get…

As a new and evolving company, we offer a competitive and flexible benefits package that includes private healthcare, bonuses, enhanced parental leave, and wellbeing support through Yulife. We’re committed to promoting work‑life balance and employee wellbeing. As part of Tata Sons, you’ll be working in a fast‑growing environment, contributing to the development of the UK’s largest battery manufacturing facility and shaping the future of a new organisation. Agratas fosters an inclusive environment where employees can be their authentic selves. We believe that individuals perform best when supported and content in their workplace. Committed to diversity, we welcome applicants of all races, genders, sexualities, and abilities. If candidates require reasonable adjustments or have preferences regarding the assessment process, they are encouraged to communicate these needs to the Talent Acquisition team.