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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage Electrical and Software Engineering teams in a dynamic automation environment.
- Company: Global leader in automation with over 100 years of engineering heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible location, and opportunity to shape engineering direction.
- Why this job: Join a senior leadership role and make a real impact in fast-growing sectors.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing engineering teams and driving continuous improvement.
- Other info: Collaborate with peers and work on innovative projects in pharmaceutical and medical automation.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
About Our Client
Our client is a global leader in automation and packaging solutions with over 100 years of engineering heritage. Headquartered in North Yorkshire, they design and build highly complex, bespoke automation systems for world-leading pharmaceutical, medical, food and beverage organisations. Every machine they produce is built to exact customer specification - this is not a standard product business. Their engineering teams work on some of the most technically demanding projects in the UK automation sector, with a project pipeline increasingly weighted towards pharmaceutical and medical applications.
The Opportunity
This is a senior leadership appointment at the heart of our client’s engineering function. As Controls Engineering Manager, you will lead both the Electrical Engineering team (3 engineers) and the Software Engineering team (12 engineers), with Principal Engineers from each discipline reporting directly to you. The role reports directly to the Head of Engineering and sits as a peer to the Mechanical Engineering Manager - together, the two of you shape the overall engineering function's performance, culture, and delivery capability. This is a strategic, people-first position, not a hands-on technical role.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leadership & Resource Management
- Lead and manage both Electrical and Software Engineering teams – strategic direction, resource planning and day-to-day operational management
- Allocate engineering resources across both teams, ensuring capacity aligns with active project demands
- Monitor departmental utilisation, balance workloads and proactively identify capacity constraints before they impact delivery
- Mentor and develop Controls and Software Team Leaders – building the next generation of engineering leadership within the business
- Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
- Drive improvement of engineering processes, ensuring best practices and regulatory standards are consistently met
- Ensure both teams maintain a clear focus on functional safety and compliance – IEC, ISO, CE marking
- Oversee management of electrical and software non-conformances and cost-of-poor-quality (COPQ)
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives that raise the performance bar across the department
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with Project Responsible Engineers (PREs) to ensure engineering workstreams align with project milestones
- Support the pre-sales process by reviewing and optimising engineering lead times for prospective projects
- Work as a genuine peer with the Mechanical Engineering Manager – joint ownership of the engineering function's success
What We’re Looking For
- Essential
- Proven people management experience leading engineering teams in a project-based, industrial automation or capital equipment environment
- Background in controls, electrical or software engineering – you need to earn the respect of 15 engineers across two disciplines
- Experience managing cross-functional relationships with Project Management and peer engineering leadership
- Track record of driving continuous improvement in engineering processes and quality metrics
- Strong commercial awareness – able to engage credibly in pre-sales lead time conversations
- Desirable
- Background in pharmaceutical, medical, food & beverage or packaging automation OEM – our client’s core markets
- Familiarity with functional safety standards: IEC 61508/62061, ISO 13849
- Experience with COPQ management and engineering non-conformance processes
- Degree in Engineering or related discipline
Why This Role?
A 15-person engineering function. 100+ years of OEM heritage. A direct line to the Head of Engineering. And a project pipeline in two of the fastest-growing automation sectors in the UK. This is not a role for someone who wants to manage tickets. It’s for an engineering leader who wants to shape the direction of a function – and have the authority to do it.
- Senior leadership mandate at a globally recognised automation OEM with a century of engineering heritage
- Strategic scope – lead a combined 15-person Electrical and Software Engineering function
- Peer-level collaboration with Mechanical Engineering Manager – genuine joint leadership of the engineering department
- Active and growing project pipeline in pharmaceutical and medical automation
- Flexible location – Our client has successfully employed engineers based across Yorkshire, the North West, North East, and Midlands
- Report directly to the Head of Engineering – close proximity to strategic decisions from day one
- Established, experienced team – strong foundations to build on, not a rebuild project
Application Process
This role is being exclusively managed by Alexander Daniels Global. All applications are handled in strict confidence.
Controls Manager in Tadcaster employer: Alexander Daniels Global
Contact Detail:
Alexander Daniels Global Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Controls Manager in Tadcaster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work in automation or engineering. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Knowing their recent achievements in pharmaceutical automation will help you stand out. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! As a Controls Engineering Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your experience in managing teams and driving improvements. Have a few solid examples ready to share during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Controls Manager in Tadcaster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Controls Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant projects you've worked on in industrial automation or capital equipment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this position. Mention your background in controls, electrical, or software engineering and how you can contribute to the team.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've driven continuous improvement or managed cross-functional relationships in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alexander Daniels Global
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to controls, electrical, and software engineering. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've led or contributed to, especially in industrial automation or capital equipment environments.
✨Show Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your people management experience. Think about how you've mentored team members or improved team dynamics in previous roles. This is a senior leadership position, so demonstrating your ability to lead and inspire is crucial.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with the company's core markets, particularly in pharmaceutical, medical, food & beverage, and packaging automation. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these sectors will show that you're genuinely interested and can engage credibly in discussions.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully managed cross-functional relationships in the past. Highlight any experiences where you've worked closely with project management or other engineering leaders to achieve common goals, as this role requires strong collaboration skills.