Automation Engineering Manager
Tesco is on a journey to transform through innovative automation and intelligent design. We are looking for someone to be at the heart of our Automation Engineering Design team, taking responsibility for the end-to-end delivery of technical solutions across our network. Your role is to take a project from an initial idea or data set and turn it into a physical, safe, and operational reality. You'll need to balance technical engineering standards with the practical needs of our customer base, ensuring that every piece of kit we install makes the operation better, faster, or safer.
The Hiring Manager for this role is Nick Robson.
You will be responsible for:
Work closely with teams across Operations, Finance, Fulfilment, Technology, Customer and Commercial to make sure our automation solutions actually solve real problems
Apply industrial engineering principles to design automation solutions based on throughput, flow, cycle times and real operational data.
Consider PUWER and safety requirements early in the design stage to make sure what we build is safe and compliant.
Take full ownership of automation engineering - from consulting on problem statements, gathering user requirements and researching the right technology, all the way through design, build, SAT, and handover into operation.
Keep everyone updated with clear reports on progress, risks and issues across the programme.
Build strong relationships with stakeholders at every level and know when and how to influence decisions.
Move fast when priorities shift - adjusting plans without losing sight of what matters.
Bring a growth mindset: always looking for smarter, safer, faster ways to work - and be brave enough to try new ideas.
Help make the team a great place to work by supporting team days, meetings and shared learning.
Set clear personal goals with your manager and take ownership of your own development.
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You will need:
Automation & AMR expertise at an operational management level, ideally within a fast‑paced or high‑tech environment.
Strong senior leadership experience, confident working with senior stakeholders (DCMs, GMs, Directors).
Proven ability to lead large, multi‑skilled engineering teams, including automation specialists across complex areas like RSU and chilled chambers.
Excellent people leadership skills, able to inspire, coach and develop high‑performing teams.
Exceptional stakeholder and relationship management, influencing effectively across the business.
Solid financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing multi‑million‑pound budgets.
Engineering degree (or equivalent) with significant experience in highly automated distribution or operational environments.
Strategic mindset, contributing to long‑term planning and working closely with senior engineering leaders.
Adaptive, dynamic working style, able to lead both on‑site and remotely.
Strong understanding of safety, compliance and legal requirements within a distribution centre environment.
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
