Functional Head of Automation & Controls Engineering

Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a visionary leader for the role of Functional Head of Automation & Controls Engineering. This pivotal position involves shaping the automation strategy across multiple sites, ensuring excellence in efficiency and technological advancement. You will lead a talented team of engineers, drive governance and development of automation systems, and promote a culture of innovation. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic and rewarding work environment, fostering professional growth while leading the future of automation in a leading manufacturing company.

Benefits

Dynamic work environment

Opportunities for professional growth

Competitive salary

Innovative projects

Qualifications

• 10+ years in automation and control systems in manufacturing.
• Strong leadership skills and experience with multi-site operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Automation & Controls Engineering Community with a strong vision.
• Develop automation solutions that align with company standards.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills

Automation Control Systems

Stakeholder Management

Leadership

Data Analysis

Robotics

Education

Degree in Engineering

Professional Engineering Qualifications

Tools

PLCs

HMIs

SCADA

OT Technologies

Job description

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Title: Functional Head of Automation & Controls Engineering

City: Field Based

Location: Field Based, GB

Müller UK & Ireland is wholly owned by Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller which employs over 31,000 people throughout Europe. In the UK, Müller develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of branded and private label dairy products made with milk from 1,300 farmers in Britain. Müller is ranked within the top 20 in The Grocer’s Top 100 list of Britain’s Biggest Brands and is picked from shelves millions of times each year. Müller UK & Ireland includes:

Müller Milk & Ingredients which aims to be Britain’s private label dairy leader and produces branded and private label fresh milk, cream, butter and ingredients products. It boasts a network of dairies and depots servicing customers throughout the country.

Müller Yogurt & Desserts which is the UK’s leading yogurt manufacturer which aims to create millions more Müller moments for its consumers. It is responsible for major brands like Müller Corner, Müllerlight, Müller Bliss, Müller Rice, FRijj and Müller Kefir Smoothie and produces chilled desserts under licence from Mondelez International. It also supplies the UK private label yogurt market from a dedicated, state of the art yogurt facility.

Job Advert: Functional Head - Automation & Controls Engineering

Location: Ideally Manchester or Droitwich (Hub Sites) – But flexible location commutable to any site. (Field Based)

About Us:

At Müller, we are at the forefront of innovation in the manufacturing industry, driving excellence through cutting-edge automation and control systems. We are seeking a visionary and dynamic leader to join our central engineering team as the Functional Head of Automation & Controls Engineering. This critical role will shape the future of our automation strategy across all MMI sites, ensuring we remain leaders in efficiency, reliability, and technological advancement.

Role Overview:

As the Functional Head - Automation & Controls Engineering, you will lead an established and dispersed team of senior automation control engineers, driving governance, development, and structured execution of our factory automation and control systems strategy. Your leadership will directly impact our operational success, fostering a culture of innovation, resilience, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership and Vision:

• Lead the Automation & Controls Engineering Community within MMI with a strong vision and technical direction.
• Influence and manage stakeholders, including Operations Leadership Team, Functional Heads, Site Directors, and Site Engineering Managers.
• Build and secure the brand of Automation & Controls Engineering within MMI.

Automation Control Systems:

• Act as the business owner for automation control systems (PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, OT technologies).
• Develop & Deliver Automation / Control Solutions within our Manufacturing sites that align to our standards and ensure lowest cost of ownership, reduce risk and enable productivity.
• Ensure robust governance and adherence to common MMI control system standards.
• Develop and enforce standardised documentation, protocols, and best practices – especially during capital project delivery, acting as SME.

Skills and Competency Development:

• Create a framework for skills and competency development within the automation community – both within the central and site based teams.
• Build training programs and development pathways – including collaboration with our early careers teams.
• Identify and address skills gaps with a clear strategy – including innovative use of suppliers and practical approaches (E.g. Control/Electrical training & test rigs).

Resilience and Obsolescence Management:

• Define a comprehensive obsolescence risk reduction plan in line with the broader engineering resilience strategy for asset replacement & renewal.
• Develop a 5-year investment outlook for capital requirements, including solution development that drives to lowest cost of ownership and increased ease of use.

Factory Automation and Robotics Strategy:

• Identify robotics/automation solutions and technology solutions that can drive productivity and broader benefits into factory operations.
• Collaborate with Capital Projects for new installations and upgrades. Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) in key capital projects from a controls perspective.
• Drive innovation with advanced technologies like vision systems and AI-based automation.

Data-Driven Productivity Improvements:

• Use data from automation systems to identify productivity improvements.
• Promote best available technologies (BAT) for factory performance optimization.
• Foster a data-driven culture across the automation community.

Business Alignment and Leadership:

• Represent automation in business-wide discussions.
• Direct & Advise functional and site leadership teams with respect to Automation & Controls technical strategies and solutions.
• Build external partnerships with technology providers and industry bodies.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Proven experience in automation and control systems – at least 10 years of significant and relevant experience working in a process orientated manufacturing business (E.g. Dairy, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Brewing & Distilling etc).
• Relevant professional engineering qualifications linked to control engineering and/or automation fields - Degree in a relevant engineering subject preferred but not essential.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with multi-site operations is preferred.

What We Offer:

• Dynamic, Rewarding and Innovative work environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Chance to lead and shape the future of automation and controls engineering in a leading manufacturing company.

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about driving automation excellence and have the vision to lead a talented team, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role.