At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead automation projects, optimise PLCs, robotics, and vision systems for a leading bakery.
- Company: Join Finsbury Food Group, a top specialty bakery manufacturer in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy enhanced leave, pension schemes, retail discounts, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a growing team that values your development and contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping automation systems and driving innovation in food manufacturing.
- Qualifications: Experience with PLCs, robotics, and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: MLC – Memory Lane Cakes, Cardiff
Shift: Weekdays (with call-out support as required)
We have a new opportunity for an Automation Engineer within our Engineering team at Memory Lane Cakes, part of the Finsbury Food Group. As our Automation Engineer, you will act as the site’s sole automation specialist, taking full ownership of PLCs, robotics, vision systems, and control architecture. This is a highly autonomous role where you will drive automation standards, system reliability, and digital integration across the site. You will play a key role in reducing downtime, improving OEE, and ensuring robust, future-proof automation systems.
To be successful, you will take a structured and analytical approach to automation, with strong technical expertise and the confidence to challenge and improve existing systems. You’ll work closely with engineering, operations, and IT to ensure automation systems are reliable, compliant, and aligned with site and group standards. This is a new opportunity where you can truly make your mark, building and shaping automation systems with full ownership and accountability.
This is what you’ll actually do!
- Take ownership of all site PLC platforms, primarily Allen Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix, while also supporting Siemens, Omron, and Mitsubishi systems where required.
- Maintain and optimise robotic systems including ABB, Fanuc, and Mitsubishi, alongside supporting vision systems such as Keyence and Thingtrax.
- Lead structured root cause analysis for automation-related failures, implementing long-term corrective actions to reduce repeat issues and improve reliability.
- Develop, implement, and enforce PLC programming standards, ensuring consistency across naming conventions, documentation, alarm handling, and governance.
- Own all backup and version control processes, ensuring secure storage, change tracking, and full compliance with governance standards.
- Integrate PLC systems into SCADA/MES platforms, ensuring data integrity, accurate downtime capture, and reliable OEE reporting.
- Support capital projects from specification through to commissioning and validation, ensuring robust technical handovers.
- Collaborate with IT on network infrastructure, support machine safety systems, and provide coaching and guidance to engineers to build automation capability across the site.
Ideally this is you!
- Electrical/Electronic indentured apprenticeship trained.
- Degree/HND and equivalent experience in Control & Automation Engineering.
- Strong experience with Allen Bradley / Rockwell (Studio 5000).
- Experience working with Siemens, Omron, or Mitsubishi PLCs.
- Knowledge of robotics systems such as ABB, Fanuc, or Mitsubishi.
- Experience with industrial communication protocols (e.g. Ethernet/IP, Profibus, RS232/485).
- Experience integrating PLC systems with SCADA/MES platforms.
- Strong fault-finding and root cause analysis capability.
- Strong experience of machine safety principles and safety PLC systems.
- Experience with vision systems (Keyence, Thingtrax) (desirable).
- Detail-driven with strong documentation discipline and analytical mindset.
- Experience within fast-paced food manufacturing (desirable).
- Familiarity with Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations.
- Excellent Microsoft Office skills.
- Able to work independently while collaborating and communicating cross-functionally.
What’s In It For You
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival!
- Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees.
- Death in Service Benefit.
- Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families).
- Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform!
- Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral – T&C’s dependent).
- Employee Recognition Awards.
- Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in-house development course!).
- An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation.
Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK, and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team, and we want every individual to have the skills and capabilities to achieve both your own personal goals and our business goals. We want good people to join our company, to help our company continue to go from strength to strength. If this sounds like you, please get in contact to learn more!
Lead Automation Engineer – PLCs, Robotics & Vision in Manchester employer: Finsbury Food Group
Finsbury Food Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cardiff where innovation and employee development are at the forefront. As a Lead Automation Engineer, you will enjoy extensive learning opportunities, a supportive culture that values your contributions, and a range of benefits including enhanced parental leave and a robust pension scheme. Join us to make a significant impact in a growing organisation dedicated to quality and efficiency in the specialty bakery sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Automation Engineer – PLCs, Robotics & Vision in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Memory Lane Cakes on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Automation Engineer role. Personal connections can give you an edge!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with PLCs, robotics, and vision systems in detail. Show us how you’ve tackled challenges in the past and how you can bring that expertise to our team.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just focus on your technical skills; highlight your ability to work cross-functionally. Share examples of how you’ve collaborated with engineering, operations, and IT teams to improve automation systems. We love team players!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our fantastic team at Memory Lane Cakes.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Automation Engineer – PLCs, Robotics & Vision in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your technical expertise with PLCs, robotics, and vision systems. We want to see how your experience aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your application for this specific role. Mention how your structured and analytical approach can drive automation standards and improve system reliability at Memory Lane Cakes. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their skills to our needs!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and avoid jargon that might confuse us. We appreciate clarity and want to understand your journey without sifting through unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved!
How to prepare for a job interview at Finsbury Food Group
✨Know Your PLCs Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Allen Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix systems, as well as Siemens, Omron, and Mitsubishi PLCs. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've implemented or optimised these systems, showcasing your technical expertise.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've conducted root cause analysis for automation failures in the past. Highlight your structured approach to identifying issues and implementing long-term solutions, as this will demonstrate your analytical mindset and reliability.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with how automation integrates with SCADA/MES platforms. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured data integrity and accurate downtime capture in previous roles, as this shows your ability to work cross-functionally and align with site standards.
✨Emphasise Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with engineering, operations, and IT teams, be prepared to share examples of successful collaborations. Discuss how you've coached others or built automation capability within a team, highlighting your communication skills and teamwork.
