Group Automation Project Manager

The Post; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK food manufacturing group is seeking a Group Automation Project Manager to lead automation initiatives across multiple sites. This hands-on role requires expertise in managing complex projects, driving efficiency, and collaborating with various stakeholders. Candidates should have a background in food manufacturing automation, be capable of strategic thinking while executing projects, and be comfortable working in dynamic environments. This position offers competitive compensation alongside professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary with performance-based incentives

Professional development and training opportunities

High-profile role visibility to senior leadership

Qualifications

• Experience delivering automation projects in food manufacturing.
• Ability to solve operational problems and influence various stakeholders.
• Understanding of production environments and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from concept to delivery.
• Coordinate with multiple sites and stakeholders for effective solutions.
• Manage budgets and timelines in complex operational environments.
• Drive continuous improvement across the business.
• Ensure reliable post-implementation handover.

Skills

Automation project management

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Multi-site project delivery

Job description

Group Automation Project Manager

Cardiff, South Glamorgan, UK, CF10 1

Job Description

Group Automation Project Manager - Food Manufacturing

If you've got an automation background within the food industry and have managed multi-site projects, this is one not to be missed! A leading UK food manufacturing group is looking for a Group Automation Project Manager to take ownership of complex automation initiatives across multiple sites. This is a senior, hands‑on role, delivering projects that improve efficiency, optimise capacity, and make a real operational impact.

What you'll be doing

• Lead automation projects from concept through to delivery, ensuring solutions are effective, scalable, and deliver measurable results.
• Coordinate across multiple sites, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to translate operational challenges into actionable solutions.
• Manage budgets, timelines, and expectations while navigating complex operational environments.
• Maintain a pipeline of initiatives to drive continuous improvement across the business.
• Ensure smooth handover to operational teams so automation solutions run reliably post‑implementation.
• Travel across the UK as required to support delivery and stakeholder engagement.

Who this role is for

• This role isn't for someone who wants to sit behind a desk. It's for someone who:
• Has experience delivering automation projects in food manufacturing, ideally across multiple sites.
• Can combine strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery.
• Thrives on solving operational problems and influencing people at all levels.
• Can manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Understands the realities of production environments, safety compliance, and operational constraints.

Why this role matters

Automation initiatives only succeed when people, processes, and technology work together. In this role, you'll make that happen — across multiple sites, at scale, and with measurable impact. Your work will improve efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, and ensure that automation delivers tangible results for the business.

What you get in return

• A high‑profile role leading automation transformation across multiple sites.
• Strategic, hands‑on responsibility with visibility to senior leadership.
• Competitive salary with performance‑based incentives.
• Professional development and training opportunities.The satisfaction of seeing complex projects succeed in real time.