Group Automation Project Manager

The Post; Southampton; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK food manufacturing group is seeking a Group Automation Project Manager in Southampton to lead automation initiatives across multiple sites. This senior, hands-on role will deliver projects aimed at improving efficiency and optimizing capacity. Candidates should have experience in food manufacturing automation and be able to manage complex projects and stakeholder relationships effectively. The position offers a competitive salary and significant responsibilities with visibility to senior leadership.

Benefits

Competitive salary with performance-based incentives

Professional development and training opportunities

Visibility to senior leadership

Qualifications

• Experience in managing automation projects across multiple sites.
• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on delivery.
• Knowledge of production environments and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from concept to delivery.
• Coordinate with multiple stakeholders to implement operational solutions.
• Manage budgets and timelines effectively.

Skills

Experience delivering automation projects in food manufacturing

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Group Automation Project Manager

Food Manufacturing – UK

Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK – SO14 7

Job Description

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 senior, hands‑on role delivers 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

• 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.