Dr Michelle Upton
Lecturer in Operations Management

Profile

Biography

Michelle joined the University of York in November 2020 as Lecturer in Operations Management. Prior to York, she worked for the University of Warwick (Warwick Manufacturing Group) for 3 years; and Northumbria University (Newcastle Business School) for 6 years as an independent Lecturer. Over the past 7 years, she has taught all levels of Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees to full-time students and corporate clients; primarily in the context of Supply Chain and Operations Management, and Logistics. 

Her PhD examined the motivations of UK-based automotive manufacturers to reshore elements of their supply chain from overseas back to a UK facility, utilising qualitative multiple-case studies from within the automotive manufacturing industry and UK automotive governing bodies. Her research is invested in lean and agility theories, including continuous improvement and the sustainability of lean six-sigma projects. Before transitioning into academia, she held the position of Production Control and Logistics Senior Manager for a global Tier-1 automotive manufacturing supplier, with responsibility for 63 direct reports, budget control, synchronous, JIT and non-JIT delivery to UK-based OEMs and a global supplier base. Continuous Improvement in supply chains and operations have remained a focus throughout her industrial and academic career.

Subject Group

People, Operations and Marketing