Our client is a leading UK bakery manufacturer specialising in artisan and speciality breads. Combining traditional baking expertise with modern manufacturing technology, they are committed to quality, innovation, and delivering high-quality products to customers across the UK.

Job Role & Key Responsibilities:

We are looking for an experienced Lead Automation Engineer to join a highly automated manufacturing environment and play a key role in driving automation excellence, reliability and continuous improvement. This is a predominantly Automation & Controls-focused role (approximately 70%), with the remaining time supporting wider engineering activities and improvement initiatives. You will have significant autonomy and the opportunity to influence future automation strategy, major investment projects and site development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead automation and controls activities across the site.

• Diagnose and resolve complex PLC, electrical and automation faults.

• Support and maintain PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment, HMIs, VSDs, sensors and control systems.

• Improve plant reliability, OEE and overall equipment performance.

• Lead and deliver automation, engineering and continuous improvement projects.

• Support the commissioning and installation of new equipment.

• Maintain PLC backups, control documentation and engineering standards.

• Identify opportunities to improve automation, efficiency and manufacturing performance.

• Support major capital investment and future site expansion projects.

• Develop and improve automation maintenance strategies.

• Work closely with Production, Engineering and Operations teams.

• Provide technical support, coaching and mentoring to engineers on controls-related issues.

• Drive best practice, root cause analysis and continuous improvement across the business.

• Participate in an engineering call-out rota and provide shift cover when required.

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• Strong experience in electrical fault-finding and PLC diagnostics within a manufacturing environment.

• Proven experience working with automated manufacturing machinery.

• Strong PLC experience, ideally with Siemens systems.

• Experience with VSDs, HMIs, industrial control systems, sensors and instrumentation.

• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and carry out control panel fault-finding.

• Good understanding of manufacturing equipment, including conveyors, motors, gearboxes and pneumatic systems.

• Experience identifying root causes and implementing long-term solutions.

• A proven track record of delivering engineering or automation improvement projects.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with the confidence to challenge existing ways of working.

• The ability to take ownership and influence teams across the business.

• Flexibility to support planned shutdowns, project work, operational requirements and call-outs.

Desirable Skills:

• Siemens S7 and TIA Portal experience.

• SCADA systems and industrial networking knowledge.

• Experience with high-speed automated production lines.

• Automation commissioning experience.

• Project management experience.

• Leadership, coaching or mentoring experience.

• Industry 4.0 knowledge.

• Experience with data collection and performance monitoring systems.

• Previous experience within food manufacturing, FMCG, packaging, beverage, pharmaceutical, process manufacturing or another highly automated industry.

Benefits Include:

• Competitive Salary

• Annual bonus scheme.

• Company pension.

• Overtime opportunities where applicable.

• Ongoing PLC and automation training.

• Exposure to major capital investment and automation projects.

• Opportunity to influence future automation and engineering strategy.

• High level of autonomy and ownership.

• Career progression opportunities into engineering leadership positions.

• The opportunity to work within a modern, highly automated manufacturing environment.

• Significant scope to contribute to future development, expansion and continuous improvement.

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please get in touch with us or apply below.