Project Manager Automation

GEA Germany GmbH; Skanderborg; On-site; DKK 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

GEA Germany GmbH in Skanderborg seeks an experienced Automation Project Manager to lead automation of complex projects, typically 12 to 18 months, coordinating with project execution, automation engineers, and commissioning teams to deliver tailored solutions for food and dairy industries.

You will manage scope, budget, schedule and stakeholders, coordinate PLC/SCADA development and FAT/SAT, ensure documentation and handover, and collaborate with suppliers, system integrators, and service

Qualifications

• Degree in automation, control, or related technical field.
• Experience delivering automation projects in food and dairy industries.
• Knowledge of control technologies, industrial communication, and automation documentation.
• Experience with supplier management, project planning, budgeting, FAT/SAT, commissioning.
• Proficient in English (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Lead automation and control system projects across the full lifecycle.
• Plan deliverables, milestones, and resources per the project plan.
• Coordinate PLC/SCADA development, instrumentation integration, and docs.
• Manage external suppliers and subcontractors for scope and costs.
• Coordinate FAT/SAT, commissioning, start-up, and issue resolution.
• Ensure complete automation docs and structured handover to customer/Service.

Skills

Project management

Automation engineering

Process engineering

Mechanical engineering

Supplier management

FAT/SAT

Commissioning

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in automation/control/related technical field

Tools

PLC/SCADA

HMI/SCADA

Instrumentation

Job description

As part of our continued growth, we are seeking an experienced automation project manager with technical expertise to lead automation of complex projects, typically lasting 12 to 18 months. Joining GEA, you will gain a strong network of colleagues from different functions, including our project execution team. We value knowledge sharing and collaborate closely with our customers to ensure tailored solutions that meet their production needs. At our office in Skanderborg, you will become part of our Liquid Technologies department, where we deliver advanced liquid processing and engineering solutions primarily to the food and dairy industries. Internally, you will work with project managers, automation engineers, process and mechanical engineers, as well as colleagues in Commissioning, Procurement and Service. Externally, you will collaborate with customers, automation suppliers, software and system integrators, and commissioning subcontractors.

Responsibilities / Tasks

The Automation Project Manager is responsible for leading and delivering automation projects from concept through commissioning and handover. The role involves managing project scope, budget, schedule, resources, and stakeholders while ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and operational requirements. You will assess technical and delivery options, coordinate supplier actions and implement corrective measures to protect delivery and project profitability. Where changes affect scope, costs or milestones, you will present your recommendations to the Project Manager.

• Lead automation and control system projects throughout the complete project lifecycle.
• Plan deliverables, automation activities, milestones and resources in line with the overall project plan.
• Coordinate PLC and software development, HMI/SCADA, process control, instrumentation integration, functional specifications and documentation, ensuring that control concepts meet process requirements and integrate with equipment and other disciplines.
• Manage external suppliers and subcontractors, from scope definition and technical alignment through to monitoring schedules, costs, documentation, performance and compliance with agreed delivery requirements.
• Plan and coordinate FAT and SAT, where applicable, and support commissioning, start-up, troubleshooting and the resolution of functional issues.
• Ensure that all automation documentation, including as-built records, is complete and organise a structured handover to the customer and Service.

Your Profile / Qualifications

You are highly organised and excel at maintaining an overview of the entire project lifecycle, identifying potential challenges early and proactively finding effective solutions. Your strong communication skills allow you to mediate between stakeholders, manage change effectively and resolve unforeseen issues as they arise.

Finally, we imagine that you:

• Bring a degree in automation engineering, control engineering, computer engineering or a related technical discipline – equivalent relevant technical qualifications and experience may also be considered.
• Have experience in automation engineering and project delivery within food and dairy industries.
• Possess knowledge of the control technologies outlined above, as well as industrial communication and automation documentation.
• Have experience in supplier management, project planning, budget and schedule monitoring, FAT/SAT, commissioning and handover.
• Speak and write English at a full professional level.

GEA is one of the largest suppliers of process technology for the food industry and a wide range of other industries. The international technology group focuses on process technology and components for sophisticated production processes in various end-user markets.