Head of Automation

Samworth Brothers; Leicester; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Health & dental discounts

Employee discount

Profit-related pay

Extended leave

Free on-site parking

Training & growth opportunities

Job summary

Samworth Brothers is seeking a Head of Automation to lead major automation and transformation programs across our manufacturing sites in the UK. You will drive efficiency, increase capacity and support future growth by delivering innovative automation solutions in a highly visible leadership role.

You will partner with Operations, IT, Finance, Procurement and Site Leadership to identify opportunities, develop business cases and ensure safe, on-time delivery within budget, while embedding

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading automation projects across manufacturing.
• Strong stakeholder management at senior leadership level.
• Excellent commercial awareness and budgeting ability.
• Outstanding programme and project management capability.
• Proven change leadership and ability to engage teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale automation and transformational projects across the Food to Go category.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency through automation.
• Develop detailed project plans, business cases, milestones, budgets and resource requirements.
• Manage delivery from concept through to implementation, on time and within budget.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive adoption of new technologies.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and operational requirements throughout delivery.
• Embed sustainability considerations into automation and capital decisions.

Skills

Automation leadership

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Programme & project management

Change leadership

Collaboration

Decision making

Job description

About The Role

We're looking for an ambitious and forward-thinking Head of Automation to join our Food to Go division and play a pivotal role in transforming the way we operate across our manufacturing sites. Working at the forefront of innovation, you'll lead major automation and transformation programmes that drive efficiency, increase capacity, enhance operational performance and support the future growth of the business.

This is a highly visible leadership role, partnering with senior stakeholders across Operations, IT, Finance, Procurement, Manufacturing Excellence and Site Leadership Teams to identify, develop and deliver automation solutions that create lasting business value.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading large-scale automation and transformational projects across the Food to Go category.
• Identifying opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, productivity and operational performance through automation initiatives.
• Developing detailed project plans, business cases, milestones, budgets and resource requirements.
• Managing project delivery from concept through to implementation, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time and within budget.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive successful adoption of new technologies and systems.
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant legislative, regulatory and operational requirements throughout project delivery.
• Embedding sustainability considerations into automation and capital investment decisions.

Multi-site role covering Melton Foods, Manton Wood and Bradgate Bakery. Regular travel between sites is required.

About You

We believe success comes from collaboration and diverse perspectives. At Samworth Brothers, we value team players who are driven to achieve great results together. You’ll bring the following skills and experience:

• Extensive experience leading automation, engineering, capital investment or transformation projects.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at senior leadership level.
• Excellent commercial awareness and the ability to balance operational performance with business objectives.
• Outstanding programme and project management capability.
• The ability to lead change and engage teams through transformation.
• A collaborative approach and a passion for continuous improvement.
• Strong decision-making skills and the confidence to challenge constructively when required

What We Offer

• Company pension scheme
• Access to health and well-being support, such as healthcare, optical and dental discounts
• Employee discount scheme
• Experience annual pay reviewsProfit related pay
• Opportunity for extended leave
• Free on-site parking
• Unlock your potential through training and growth opportunities

About Us

Samworth Brothers is a fourth-generation family business, trusted by many of the UK’s best-known retailers to produce high-quality own-label products. Alongside these, we’re proud to craft and deliver our own iconic brands, including Ginsters, Soreen, Higgidy, Dickinson & Morris, Urban Eat, West Cornwall Pasty Company, and Walker & Son.

With over 10,000 talented colleagues working across our modern, well-invested food manufacturing sites nationwide, we’re committed to excellence in everything we do—from the food we make to the careers we build.

At Samworth Brothers, you’re more than just an employee, you are part of our strong family culture. Our collaborative approach and strong team spirit help us support one another and achieve great things together. As part of a well-established group, we offer stability, opportunity, and a place where you can truly thrive.

Ready to make a difference? Join us and be part of something special!

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer making diversity and inclusion a core part of everything we do. We also actively welcome applications from neurodivergent individuals and are committed to a recruitment process that’s fair, respectful, and free from bias. If you need any adaptations to the application or interview process, please do let us know.

Samworth Brothers do not engage with unlicensed gangmasters or third parties. Samworth Brothers will NEVER ask you for money in order to provide you with employment. If you are in any doubt, please contact an official Samworth Brothers representative.