Group Automation Project Manager

The Post; Hurn; 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 oversee complex automation initiatives across multiple sites. This vital role involves leading projects, managing budgets, and ensuring effective delivery. The ideal candidate will have experience in food manufacturing automation and thrive in solving operational challenges. This position offers competitive compensation, training opportunities, and the chance to implement transformative projects that enhance efficiency and operational impact.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Performance-based incentives

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering automation projects in food manufacturing.
• Ability to lead multiple projects and influence stakeholders.
• Understanding of operational environments and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from concept to delivery.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to translate challenges into solutions.
• Manage budgets and timelines.

Skills

Project management

Problem-solving

Automation expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Group Automation Project Manager

Location: Bournemouth, Dorset, UK BH1 1
Posted: 2026-01-20
Closing: 2026-02-18

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