At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead automation partnerships and shape strategies for innovative material handling solutions.
- Company: Join CHEP, a global leader in sustainable logistics with a diverse workforce.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation across Europe.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global sustainability while advancing your career in automation.
- Qualifications: Experience in technical-commercial relationships and knowledge of automation systems required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
CHEP helps move more goods to more people, in more places than any other organization on earth via our 347 million pallets, crates and containers. We employ approximately 13,000 people and operate in 60 countries. Through our pioneering and sustainable share-and-reuse business model, the world’s biggest brands trust us to help them transport their goods more efficiently, safely and with less environmental impact. You’ll join an international organization big enough to take you anywhere, and small enough to get you there sooner. You’ll help change how goods get to market and contribute to global sustainability. You’ll be empowered to bring your authentic self to work and be surrounded by diverse and driven professionals. And you can maximize your work-life balance and flexibility through our Hybrid Work Model.
Key Responsibilities May Include:
- Lead the automation partnership strategy, defining priority partner relationships, opportunity segments, and engagement approaches that support long-term business value.
- Manage the automation opportunity portfolio, qualifying opportunities based on commercial value, technical feasibility, scalability, customer relevance, and strategic fit.
- Partner with automation providers, integrators, and customers to represent organisational capabilities in specification, solution design, and partnership discussions.
- Translate partner requirements and market intelligence into clear recommendations for product development, testing, quality, and investment decisions.
- Challenge technical specifications and commercial positions where needed, balancing partner expectations with product capability, operational feasibility, and long-term value.
- Mobilise cross-functional stakeholders across product, engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and commercial teams to resolve trade-offs and align responses.
- Develop insights on automation trends, standards, competitive activity, and partner needs to inform future capability, governance, and roadmap decisions.
- Enable consistent partner engagement by establishing clear ways of working, escalation paths, and decision inputs for automation-related opportunities.
- Lead Brambles’ European automation partner strategy, owning the relationship portfolio with key automation OEMs, vendors, and ecosystem partners.
- Act as the senior technical-commercial interface between external partners and internal operations, engineering, product, quality, and commercial teams.
- Shape partner engagement, opportunity prioritisation, specification alignment, and market positioning to strengthen Brambles’ role as a preferred partner in automated supply chain environments.
- Convert automation market intelligence into actionable input for product, testing, quality, and investment priorities.
Role Specific Accountabilities:
- Define and lead the European automation partner strategy, prioritising OEM relationships, opportunity segments, and engagement models that strengthen Brambles’ position in the automation ecosystem.
- Own and govern the strategic automation opportunity portfolio, qualifying opportunities based on commercial value, technical feasibility, scalability, customer relevance, and long-term strategic fit.
- Act as the senior technical-commercial interface for automation partners, representing Brambles in specification, capability, and solution design discussions with OEMs, vendors, integrators, and customers.
- Shape partner specifications and commercial positions, using data, product knowledge, operational insight, and market intelligence to challenge unfavourable requirements while preserving strategic relationships.
- Mobilise senior internal stakeholders across operations, engineering, product, quality, supply chain, and commercial teams to resolve trade-offs and deliver aligned partner responses.
- Translate automation market intelligence into business-critical input for product, testing, quality, and investment priorities, ensuring Brambles remains competitive as automation adoption accelerates across Europe.
Experience:
- Significant experience leading complex technical-commercial relationships with OEMs, vendors, integrators, or strategic customers, ideally in automation, robotics, material handling, packaging, logistics, or supply chain environments.
- Track record of shaping partner strategies, qualifying high-value opportunities, and influencing commercial or technical outcomes.
- Experience influencing technical specifications, commercial positions, or solution design with external partners.
- Demonstrated ability to operate credibly with senior internal and external stakeholders across commercial, engineering, product, quality, and operations functions.
- Experience translating market, customer, and partner intelligence into actionable recommendations for product, testing, investment, or strategic priorities.
- Experience working across multiple European markets, cultures, and stakeholder groups.
Knowledge:
- Technical fluency in pallet/packaging specifications and automation system requirements, sufficient to assess feasibility and credibly discuss trade-offs with engineers.
- Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to assess opportunity value, strategic relevance, scalability, investment implications, and partner fit.
- Skilled negotiator able to constructively challenge partner specifications while maintaining technical credibility, trust, and long-term relationship value.
- Strong organisational agility, with the ability to navigate Brambles’ operating model and mobilise the right stakeholders to create value for Brambles, customers, and automation partners.
- Strong stakeholder influence skills, with the ability to mobilise operations, engineering, product, quality, and commercial teams quickly and effectively.
- Working knowledge of European pallet and automation standards (e.g. EPAL, FEM, ISO) and awareness of regional differences in automation adoption.
- Ability to synthesise market and competitive intelligence into clear, actionable input for R&D and leadership.
- Comfortable managing multiple concurrent opportunities and priorities in a fast-evolving, ambiguous market.
- Proficiency in additional European languages is desirable given the multi-market scope of the role.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (engineering, business, supply chain) or equivalent professional experience.
- Desirable: Engineering or technical degree/background, sufficient to engage credibly on spec discussions with appropriate technical independence.
Skills to succeed in the role:
- Automation Strategy
- Innovation Management
- Partner Engagement
- Product Development
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to developing a diverse workforce in which everyone is treated fairly, with respect, and has the opportunity to contribute to business success while realizing his or her potential.
Customer Automation Partnership Lead (Material Handling Solutions) in Weybridge employer: CHEP
At CHEP, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a share scheme, enhanced pension contributions, and generous holiday allowances. Our inclusive work culture fosters personal growth and development, ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported in their journey. Located in Pontefract, you'll be part of a dynamic team that plays a crucial role in connecting global supply chains for some of the world's most beloved brands, all while prioritising safety and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Automation Partnership Lead (Material Handling Solutions) in Weybridge
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like CHEP and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at CHEP!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like CHEP keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Automation Partnership Lead (Material Handling Solutions) in Weybridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to CHEP:This is your chance to really connect with the team at CHEP. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at CHEP
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with CHEP.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show CHEP that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at CHEP. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
