Digital Manufacturing Data & Forecasting Intern
About The Business: Bear Hug is a micro-manufacturer specialising in bespoke large campervan conversions. Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic by a former HarperCollins graphic designer, the business has grown through strong design, craftsmanship, and a customer-focused approach. Each vehicle is tailored to individual requirements while maintaining high manufacturing standards. As the company grows, it is transitioning from one-off custom builds to a more scalable manufacturing model. Investment in digital technologies, structured data, manufacturing planning systems, and standardised processes will improve efficiency, forecasting, scheduling, capacity planning, and decision-making, creating a strong foundation for future growth and product development.
Overview: The intern will support Bear Hug’s digital transformation by mapping and improving customer enquiry, quotation, design, production and delivery processes. They will develop structured manufacturing data systems covering product specifications, variants, BoMs, suppliers, lead times and build schedules. The role includes creating data-capture tools, traceable workflows and change-control processes, while improving data quality and consistency. The intern will also support forecasting, capacity planning and production scheduling through data analysis and reporting. Responsibilities include developing dashboards and KPIs, documenting procedures, reviewing performance data, and recommending future digital tools, systems and process improvements.
Desirable Skills: Essential Skills • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. • Good understanding of data management and reporting. • Experience using Excel and data analysis tools. • Ability to document processes clearly and accurately. • Strong communication and organisational skills. Desirable Skills • Knowledge of manufacturing processes and production planning. • Experience with databases, data modelling, or business intelligence tools. • Understanding of forecasting techniques and operational analytics. • Experience with Power BI, Tableau or similar dashboarding tools. • Basic understanding of CRM systems and workflow design. • Awareness of Industry 4.0 technologies and digital manufacturing concepts. Personal Attributes • Curious and proactive approach to problem solving. • Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively. • Interest in manufacturing, digital transformation and continuous improvement. • Comfortable engaging with different stakeholders and translating data into practical recommendations.
Job Description:
Manufacturing Process Mapping
• Review and document current customer enquiry, quotation, design, production and delivery workflows.
• Identify opportunities to improve information flow, reduce manual data handling, and increase visibility of manufacturing activity.
Manufacturing Data Architecture
• Design and implement a structured engagement and manufacturing data model.
• Create standardised data structures for:
Customer enquiries Product specifications
Product options and variants
Bills of Materials (BoMs)
Supplier information Lead times
Build schedules
Order readiness
Data Capture & Workflow Development
• Develop data-capture forms and validation methods to improve data quality and consistency.
• Create traceable workflows from initial enquiry through to delivery.
• Establish approval and change-control processes for specification and BoM changes.
Forecasting & Planning
• Integrate engagement and sales data into planning tools.
• Build demand forecasting models using historical enquiry and sales data.
• Generate capacity planning reports and production load forecasts.
• Support development of resource planning and material requirement processes.
Data Visualisation & Analytics
• Create dashboards to monitor:
Enquiry activity Pipeline conversion
Build slot utilisation Work in progress
Resource utilisation
On-time delivery performance
• Develop KPI reporting for lead times, conversion rates, production performance and customer engagement.
Continuous Improvement
• Work alongside the founder and production lead to review business performance data.
• Document standard operating procedures and planning processes.
• Recommend future digital tools, systems integrations and process improvements.
What you’ll gain:
Practical experience delivering a digital transformation project within a manufacturing business.
Exposure to real-world manufacturing planning, forecasting and capacity management.
Experience building structured data models and reporting systems.
Knowledge of Bills of Materials (BoMs), production workflows and manufacturing operations.
Experience using data analytics to support operational decision-making.
Opportunity to design dashboards and business intelligence tools.
Exposure to manufacturing digitalisation strategies and Industry 4.0 principles.
Mentoring and direct collaboration with the business founder.
Experience working within a growing entrepreneurial manufacturing environment.
The opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future scalability of the business.