Heriot-Watt University
KTP Associate in Integrating Capability-based Intelligent Automation Systems in Customer and Operations Processes
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Role Title: KTP Associate in Integrating Capability-based Intelligent Automation Systems in Customer and Operations Processes (Heriot-Watt University and McDonald Water Storage Ltd; KTP Project Number 10188551)
Salary: £34,000, with a review during the project
FTE and working pattern: Full-time (35hrs per week) Fixed-term (24 months)
What to Expect
- A competitive salary of £34,000 per annum, with a review during the project
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- You will get to work with experts in Water Tank Sales and socio-technical change management at McDonald Water Storage Ltd and Heriot-Watt University to make real improvements to the sales performance.
- As a KTP Associate, you will be part of the national Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (ktp-uk.org) scheme and entitled to specialist management training alongside other Associates, protected time for self-development and a professional development budget, which will be valuable to career development beyond the project.
- Opportunity to submit a paper to an international conference.
We will measure applicants based on the essential criteria, not by the key duties.
Purpose of Role
The successful candidate will secure a 24-month collaborative Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP) position. The Associate will learn about capability-based organisational change, intelligent automation systems, and sales & customer relationship management methods from experts at Heriot-Watt University, before leading a project that considers an optimal approach for McDonald Water Storage Ltd to adopt new technologies to improve business performance.
The role represents an opportunity to shape how business process automation potentials can be identified and addressed long-term through capability-based participative change programmes. You’ll be at the heart of McDonald Water Storage’s management team working alongside David Stewart and Racheal Stewart to develop a successful programme to implement technological and organisational change. This role might suit someone who thrives at change management, technology integration, and effective communication & leadership.
This project, and its Associate, fulfils a critical role at McDonald Water Storage Ltd and will be responsible for the transfer of knowledge from Heriot-Watt University to McDonald Water Storage Ltd and contribute to market growth for the business. This shall include, but not be limited to, embedding knowledge and expertise within the McDonald Water Storage Ltd team on capability-based integration of intelligent automation technology into crucial business processes. This is a strategic imperative for the project. External expertise from Heriot-Watt is required to develop a new socio-technical approach implementing automation technology that matches the maturity level of the current and future organisational capabilities to drive business growth.
This full-time position is funded by McDonald Water Storage Ltd and InnovateUK. The successful appointee shall be based at McDonald Water Storage Ltd’s premises in Glenrothes, and the project will also involve working with colleagues based at Heriot-Watt University’s Riccarton campus in Edinburgh. If the project is successful there may be an opportunity to secure a permanent post at McDonald Water Storage Ltd to continue commercialisation. The role will appeal to people currently engaged in work such as:
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- Consultancy & Technology Adoption
- Sales & Operations
- Marketing & Communications
As a KTP Associate you will receive training as part of a cohort, training on McDonald Water Storage Ltd systems and processes and training time/budget for personal development.
Keyword search: Performance Improvement, Intelligent Automation, Organisational Change
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The successful appointee will be expected to undertake the following:
- Plan and manage the activity of the project in line with the identified workplan.
- Produce a budget and risk register.
- Lead the analysis and interpretation of research data, and develop required outputs drawn from the research findings including
- Exploration of relevant existing socio-technical systems and dissemination to relevant stakeholder
- Organisational capabilities & skills profile
- Mapping of critical processes, technologies, and automation potentials
- Automation system implementation plan
- Training requirements and delivery plan
- Performance review system
- Project validation and evaluation
- Executive project report and handover presentation
- Actively participate in the activities of the wider business as a full member of the McDonald Water Storage Ltd Team.
- Translate findings into conference papers and presentations for gathering objective expert-level improvement feedback.
Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the salary of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve. A flexible working schedule may be required to meet all key duties and responsibilities.
The role will be based at Glenrothes. Monthly travel to Edinburgh will be required throughout the project.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree in relevant discipline such as business management, marketing, operations management, technology management
Skills:
- Strong project management across complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Data-literate; uses insights to inform strategic decisions
Attributes:
- Proactive, self-motivated; works independently and collaboratively
- Passionate about automation and people-focused change
- Adaptable, resilient; manages change in dynamic environments
Desirable Criteria
Qualification: Master’s degree in business management or related discipline (e.g. Marketing, Operations Management, Technology Management)
Skills:
- Understanding of the water tank manufacturing industry
- Experience with AI, CRM, and predictive modelling
- Strong communication skills to enable participative change
- Analytical, system thinking, and data literacy skills
- Experience in change management, process redesign, and AI/CRM implementation
Attributes:
- Approachable and professional; builds stakeholder trust
- Collaborative leader with strong team focus
- Strong time and project management to deliver complex projects successfully on-time
Experience:
- Proven delivery of technology-driven change
- Cross-functional experience in sales, marketing, operations
- AI and CRM implementation knowledge
- Delivers sustainable automation and digital transformation outcome
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How to Apply
Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system
- Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post
- Full CV
Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Monday 31st August 2026.
At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
About McDonald Water Storage Ltd.
McDonald Water Storage is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of hot water systems, and one of only a few British independent manufacturers remaining in the plumbing and heating industry. The business is 80 years’ old and has an extensive product range, including vented, unvented and thermal store solutions. McDonald Water Storage take pride in the ability to customise any water storage cylinder to customers’ needs, be that a one-off bespoke cylinder or a large contract that would benefit from custom sizes or connections for ease of installation. MWS also manufacture, commercial cylinders up to 3,000 litres in copper and can supply stainless stee units up to 100,000 litres.
The overarching business objective is UK growth. MWS are committed to continuous improvement and have recently introduced a range of new products and redesigned and relaunched the website, to improve customer usability and provide a dedicated spares and online cylinder section. Market demand is high and tempered only by challenges with sales process.
About Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.
Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.
About The Edinburgh Business School
Edinburgh Business School is a mission-led, global hub of business knowledge and research. With a long-tradition of offering inclusive, practice-based learning for the ambitious leaders of tomorrow, we leverage our campuses in Dubai, Malaysia, and Edinburgh to create maximum worldwide impact. Our mission is to be a global leader in accessible, practice-oriented education and research that promotes responsible business. Our vision is to transform lives and organisations for the betterment of societies globally.
“At EBS, we are driven by our desire to make a difference. We envision a future where our contributions improve the world and leave a meaningful legacy for generations to come. Our commitment to global access, inclusion, and excellence through relevance underpin our world-class, practice-oriented business education and our transformative, industry-leading research.” - Professor Angus Laing: Executive Dean, Edinburgh Business School
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