Senior Manager Automation

GEA Germany GmbH; Alcobendas; Híbrido; EUR 90.000 - 140.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Hybrid work model

23 vacation days

Top Employer 2026

Training & development

International engineering team

Descripción de la vacante

GEA Germany GmbH is seeking a Senior Manager Automation to lead automation project execution, manage engineering teams, and support business growth with customer-focused solutions. The role blends project management, people leadership, and technical automation expertise across automation, regular, and service projects.

The successful candidate will interface with customers, project teams, engineering resources, and Sales, driving continuous improvement in engineering and execution processes

Formación

• Master's Degree in Automation Engineering or related field.
• Professional Project Management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in Automation and/or Electrical Engineering.
• Experience leading teams and mentoring engineering professionals.
• Experience managing customer-facing projects and stakeholder relationships.

Responsabilidades

• Lead automation, regular, and service projects from initiation through completion.
• Ensure projects meet customer specifications, functional analysis, norms, and standards.
• Organize and initiate project execution within approved budgets.
• Drive project performance balancing quality, cost, and delivery.
• Mitigate risks across projects and quotations.
• Support project teams with on-site assistance when needed.
• Lead and mentor Automation Engineers and Lead Automation Engineers.
• Promote consistent application of project methodologies and internal procedures.
• Act as primary contact for customers on scope, planning, and delivery.
• Collaborate with Sales and After Sales teams; provide technical support during quotations.
• Drive continuous optimization of tools, methods, and processes.

Conocimientos

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Planning & organization

Risk management

Team development

Educación

Master's degree in Automation Engineering

Herramientas

Project management software

MS Office

Automation engineering tools

Descripción del empleo

Responsibilities / Tasks

We are seeking a Senior Manager Automation to lead automation project execution, manage engineering teams, and support business growth through customer-focused solutions. This role combines project management, people leadership, and technical automation expertise, ensuring successful delivery of automation, regular, and service projects in accordance with customer requirements, company standards, quality expectations, and budget targets. The successful candidate will act as a key interface between customers, project teams, engineering resources, and sales functions while driving continuous improvement in engineering and project execution processes.

Project & Automation Management

• Manage automation, regular, and service projects from initiation through completion.
• Ensure automation project compliance with customer specifications, functional analysis, company norms, and automation standards.
• Organize and initiate automation project execution within approved budget frameworks.
• Drive project performance while balancing quality, cost, and delivery commitments.
• Continuously evaluate and mitigate risks across projects and quotations.
• Make product customization decisions during project execution when required.
• Support project teams throughout execution, including on‑site support when necessary.

Team Leadership

• Lead, supervise, evaluate, and mentor Automation Engineers and Lead Automation Engineers.
• Support the professional growth and development of team members.
• Promote the consistent application of project methodologies and internal procedures.
• Ensure adherence to engineering standards, processes, and best practices.

Customer & Business Support

• Act as a primary point of contact for customers regarding project scope, planning, and delivery.
• Negotiate project scope and execution timelines with customers.
• Identify customer needs and translate them into business opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with Sales and After Sales teams.
• Perform project estimations and provide technical support during quotation and proposal phases.
• Ensure automation quotation processes meet established procedures and quality standards.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous optimization of engineering tools, methods, and project execution processes.
• Participate in internal improvement initiatives and contribute to organizational excellence.
• Support the implementation of best practices across projects and engineering activities.

Your Profile / Qualifications

• Education: Master's Degree in Automation Engineering or a related field.
• Professional Project Management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent).
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of proven experience in Automation and/or Electrical Engineering.
• Broad experience in project execution and project management.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and mentoring engineering professionals.
• Experience managing customer‑facing projects and stakeholder relationships.
• Languages: English: B2/C1 level required. French, Portuguese, and/or German considered a strong advantage.

Key Competencies

• Planning and organizational skills
• Effective communication skills
• Results orientation
• Quality focus
• Customer orientation (internal and external)
• Decision‑making capability
• Leadership and people development
• Risk management mindset
• Stress tolerance
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Technical Skills

• Office software proficiency
• Automation and electrical engineering expertise
• Project management methodologies and tools

Travel Requirements

Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time, depending on project and customer requirements.

We offer

• Attractive compensation package aligned with experience, responsibilities, and international exposure.
• Flexible working hours and a hybrid working model (up to two days per week remote).
• 23 days of vacation per year.
• An excellent work environment within an international, collaborative, and technically strong engineering team.
• Continuous internal training and career development opportunities, both nationally and internationally.
• The opportunity to join a company recognized as a Top Employer 2026.

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.