At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive automation improvements and solve complex technical challenges in food manufacturing.
- Company: Leading food manufacturing operation in Middleton, Manchester.
- Benefits: Up to £58,000 salary, 5% bonus, 25 days holiday, and health cash plan.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with exciting projects and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of automation and reliability.
- Qualifications: Experience with PLC programming, fault-finding, and automation systems.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Automation Engineer to join a highly automated Food Manufacturing operation in Middleton, Manchester. This role offers the opportunity to become the site's recognised Automation & Controls specialist, supporting a complex process manufacturing environment whilst driving automation improvements, reliability initiatives and future capital projects.
Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you'll take ownership of automation reliability across the site, working closely with Engineering and Operations teams to improve performance, reduce downtime and support future investment programmes. This position would suit an Automation Engineer who enjoys improving processes, solving complex technical challenges and implementing long-term automation solutions rather than simply reacting to day-to-day breakdowns.
The Role
- Supporting and developing Allen Bradley and Siemens PLC systems.
- Maintaining and improving SCADA, control and automation systems.
- Delivering automation improvement and Continuous Improvement projects.
- Conducting root cause analysis and implementing permanent corrective actions.
- Improving automation reliability and manufacturing performance.
- Supporting capital investment and automation upgrade projects.
- Identifying equipment obsolescence risks and recommending long-term improvements.
- Working closely with Engineering and Operations teams to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Providing technical support and guidance on automation and controls systems.
- Contributing to the site's longer-term automation and reliability strategy.
The Environment
This is a highly automated Food Manufacturing facility producing a range of food products within a process-driven manufacturing environment.
What We're Looking For
- Experience working as an Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer or Automation & Controls Engineer.
- Strong PLC programming and fault-finding experience.
- Experience with Allen Bradley PLCs preferred.
- Siemens PLC experience beneficial but not essential.
- SCADA and industrial automation experience.
- Experience within Food Manufacturing, FMCG, beverage, chemical or wider process manufacturing environments.
- Knowledge of instrumentation, process control and PID loops.
- Experience working with pumps, valves, drives and flow systems.
- Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills.
- A proactive approach to reliability improvement and Continuous Improvement activities.
Future Projects
This role offers involvement in several significant site-wide initiatives, including:
- New SCADA implementation planned for 2027.
- Industrial network infrastructure upgrades.
- Automation modernisation projects.
- Reliability-Centred Maintenance (RCM) initiatives.
- Approximately £500,000 of capital investment projects.
- Process optimisation and efficiency improvement programmes.
We're looking for someone who can challenge the status quo, bring forward ideas and help shape the future direction of automation across the site.
Salary & Benefits
- Up to £58,000 salary.
- 5% Annual Bonus.
- 25 Days Holiday plus Bank Holidays.
- Buy & Sell Holiday Scheme.
- Pension matched up to 10%.
- Health Cash Plan.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- On-Site Physiotherapy.
- Occupational Health Support.
- Employee Discount Platform.
- Staff Referral Scheme.
Working Hours - 39 hours per week
Week 1
- Monday to Thursday: 6:00am to 2:00pm.
- Friday: 6:00am to 1:00pm.
Week 2
- Monday to Thursday: 9:15am to 5:45pm.
- Friday: 11:00am to 4:00pm.
No formal on-call requirement. Any support provided outside normal working hours is returned as time off in lieu.
If you're an experienced Automation Engineer looking for an opportunity to influence projects, improve reliability and play a key role in the future development of a leading Food Manufacturing operation in Middleton, Manchester, we'd be interested in hearing from you.
Automation Engineer in Middleton employer: All The Top Bananas
Join a leading Food Manufacturing operation in Middleton, Manchester, where you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and continuous improvement. With competitive benefits including a 5% annual bonus, generous holiday allowance, and opportunities for professional growth, this role as an Automation Engineer allows you to make a meaningful impact on automation reliability and process optimisation. Experience a supportive environment that values your expertise and encourages you to challenge the status quo while contributing to exciting future projects.
