Group Automation Project Manager

The Abbey; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK food manufacturing group seeks a Group Automation Project Manager to lead multi-site automation projects. This hands-on role focuses on improving efficiency and operational impact through strategic initiatives. Candidates should have a solid background in automation within the food industry. Responsibilities include managing budgets, coordinating stakeholders, and ensuring seamless implementation of solutions. This position offers visibility with senior leadership and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary with performance-based incentives

Professional development and training opportunities

High-profile role with senior leadership visibility

Qualifications

• Experience in managing multi-site projects in the food industry.
• Ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
• Strong interpersonal skills for influencing stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from concept to delivery.
• Coordinate with multiple sites and stakeholders.
• Manage budgets and timelines effectively.
• Ensure smooth handover of automation solutions.

Skills

Experience delivering automation projects in food manufacturing

Strategic thinking

Solving operational problems

Stakeholder management

Job description

Group Automation Project Manager

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