Automation Design Manager

In this role, you will design Tesco’s next‑generation automation solutions, turning strategy into scalable robotic capabilities and future‑ready blueprints that strengthen operational performance across the business. You will work collaboratively across functions to develop automation solutions that enhance both existing and emerging operating models, supporting Tesco in serving customers, communities and the planet better every day.

You will collaborate with agility, delivering improvements aligned to business plans and budgets, and supporting others to achieve strong results. You will identify and address issues quickly, champion technology as a key enabler of Tesco’s future, and act as the automation design authority guiding the long‑term automation ecosystem.

You will be responsible for:

Designing automation solutions using robotics, AMRs and machine vision to deliver significant efficiency gains and strengthen future automation readiness.
Developing modular, scalable automation solutions that minimise customisation effort and accelerate deployment across a range of operational environments.
Leading Tesco’s automation horizon‑scanning activity, translating global robotics and automation trends into clear strategic design pathways.
Acting as Tesco’s technical lead with robotics and automation partners, setting design standards, integration requirements and assessing supplier capability.
Developing long‑term plans (10+ years) and strategies that shape comprehensive short‑ and long‑term automation solutions.
Delivering strong stakeholder management with external partners and senior leaders across Tesco, providing clear and regular updates on project progress, outcomes and deliverables.
Managing budgets and forecasts, ensuring costs are accurate, timely and aligned to financial expectations.
Designing structured change plans for blueprints and sites, working across multiple teams to ensure changes land effectively first time.
Providing design governance and assurance so that automation solutions are delivered as intended by downstream delivery teams.
Generating solution options supported by detailed business cases and costings.
Working within an Agile methodology to develop plans at pace, adapting to shifting priorities while fully leveraging the Agile framework, QBR process and supporting tools.

You will need:

Experience in solution design and concept engineering, including multi‑vendor system integrations.
Strong automation architecture skills and the ability to provide governance for blueprint standards.
Expertise in evaluating robotics systems, including AMRs, vision systems and integrated automation technologies.
A solid background in quality control and assurance across automation solutions.
Experience managing supplier relationships and assessing technical capability, integration maturity, safety compliance and scalability.
The ability to lead full lifecycle automation design planning, from early concepts through to deployment‑ready solutions.
Strong collaboration and networking skills, working effectively across multiple teams and technical disciplines.
Experience engaging senior leaders and managing stakeholders with clarity and confidence.
Proven capability in budget and cost management, including accurate financial planning.
Hands‑on automation solution design and system evaluation experience, ideally across multiple robotics platforms.
Experience modelling automation lifecycle costs (capex/opex forecasting, ROI analysis and total cost of ownership for robotic systems).
Practical experience applying Agile delivery methods to automation design cycles, enabling rapid iteration and close collaboration with engineering teams.
The ability to translate complex automation design and performance data into clear, actionable recommendations for technical and operational leaders.

What's in it for you:

We’re all about the little helps. That’s why we make sure our Tesco colleague benefits package takes care of you – both in and out of work. Click Here to find out more!

Annual bonus scheme of up to 20% of base salary
Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays)
Private medical insurance
26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (after 1 years’ service) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay, we also offer 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave
Free 24/7 virtual GP service, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and your family, free access to a range of experts to support your mental wellbeing

About us:

Our vision at Tesco is to become every customer's favourite way to shop, whether they are at home or out on the move. Our core purpose is 'Serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day'. Serving means more than a transactional relationship with our customers. It means acting as a responsible and sustainable business for all stakeholders, for the communities we are part of and for the planet.

We are proud to have an inclusive culture at Tesco where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. At Tesco, we not only celebrate diversity, but recognise the value and opportunity it brings. We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued, and make sure that all colleagues are given the same opportunities. We're a big business with diverse working patterns and many business areas which means that we can find something that works for you. Everyone is welcome at Tesco.

We have recently announced that we will be moving towards a more blended working week – combining office and remote working. Our offices will continue to be where we connect, collaborate and innovate. Please talk to us to about how this can work for you.

NOTE: Should you be successful in your application, your offer will be subject to and conditional upon you providing your bank account details on your agreed start date.

We're proud to have been accredited Disability Confident Leader and we're committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer, please visit https://www.tesco-careers.com/accessibility