At a Glance
- Tasks: Optimise and maintain automation systems in a dynamic food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join Danish Crown, a leader in the food industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to train and develop your skills.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety and production efficiency while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or relevant technical experience in automation.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Job Description
- Automation Engineer – Food Manufacturing Environment (Danish Crown)
- Role Purpose
The Automation Engineer is responsible for the reliability, safety, optimisation, and continuous improvement of industrial automation and control systems within Danish Crown’s food manufacturing environment.
The role ensures stable and compliant operation of automated production and utility systems in line with food safety, quality, and health & safety requirements.
The position works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and IT.
IT infrastructure and enterprise systems remain owned by the IT function; this role provides operational input, coordination, and system expertise to support them.
Key Responsibilities
- Automation & Production Systems
- Develop, maintain, and optimise PLC, HMI, SCADA, and MES‑related automation systems supporting production performance (e. g. OEE, SAP PM interfaces).
- Troubleshoot automation, electrical, and process control issues across production and utilities.
- Ensure high availability and reliable performance of automated equipment in a regulated food environment.
- Act as the production automation interface to IT by providing requirements, impact assessments, testing support, and coordination for system changes.
- Food Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Ensure automation solutions comply with HACCP, hygienic design principles, and Danish Crown standards.
- Support QEHS compliance, legal obligations, and internal governance.
- Participate in risk assessments, validation, and controlled change processes for automation changes.
- Continuous Improvement & Reliability
- Drive CI initiatives targeting efficiency, uptime, yield, and waste reduction.
- Apply RCA, FMECA, RCM, and CBM methods to reduce recurring failures.
- Support LEAN ways of working, site performance boards, and problem‑solving routines.
- CAPEX & Project Delivery
- Provide automation input to CAPEX projects including scope definition, functional specifications, commissioning, and handover.
- Coordinate with IT where projects affect IT‑managed systems.
- Manage suppliers, system integrators, and contractors within the automation scope.
- Maintenance & Technical Governance
- Support specialist automation maintenance activities and standards.
- Develop and maintain SOPs and work instructions.
- Act as CMMS (SAP PM) super‑user from an automation and maintenance perspective.
- Support design reviews, upgrades, and obsolescence management.
- Collaboration & Capability Building
- Work closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, and IT teams.
- Train and coach operators and technicians in automation systems and process optimisation.
- Support peer‑site collaboration and external supplier engagement.
- Required Education & Experience
- Degree in Automation, Electrical, Mechanical, or Process Engineering or a relevant technical apprenticeship with strong automation specialisation.
- Experience in automation or engineering roles within food, FMCG, or regulated manufacturing environments.
- Hands‑on experience with PLC, HMI, SCADA, MES environments and CMMS systems (preferably SAP PM).
- Technical Knowledge & Competencies
- Strong understanding of HACCP, hygienic design, and food manufacturing constraints.
- Experience with reliability engineering and LEAN principles.
- Structured problem‑solving, strong communication skills, and the ability to challenge constructively.
- Solid digital literacy and ability to work effectively alongside IT‑owned systems.
Automation Engineer employer: Friland
Danish Crown UK is an exceptional employer located in Rochdale, offering a dynamic work environment where you can take ownership of your role as Deputy Production Manager. With a strong focus on professional growth, competitive salary, and a collaborative culture, employees are empowered to drive real-time improvements and influence operational success. Join a team that values trust, teamwork, and ambition, ensuring that your contributions are recognised and your development is actively supported.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Automation Engineer
✨Get Involved in Local Automation Meetups
We can’t stress this enough – getting your face out there in the automation and control systems community can really set you apart. Look for local meetups or workshops where you can chat with industry professionals, learn about what’s trending, and even discover hidden job gems. Who knows, you might meet someone from a company like Friland!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make sure you have a portfolio of your work ready to roll. Whether it’s academic projects, internships or personal experiments, showcase how you’ve tackled automation challenges. When you apply for the Automation Engineer position at Friland, linking your portfolio gives your application that extra oomph and demonstrates your practical knowledge.
✨Leverage Your Uni Career Services
If you’re fresh out of uni, don’t forget about your career services! Many universities have established connections with companies in the automation field. They may know when Friland is looking for fresh talent or even have internships that lead to full-time positions. So, hit them up!
✨Keep an Eye on Industry Certifications
While hunting for roles, consider getting certified in relevant automation technologies. It shows dedication and gives you a leg up in the job market. Plus, many organisations offer job boards or networking events to certified professionals. This might just lead you to that coveted Automation Engineer role at Friland!
We think you need these skills to ace Automation Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an automation-control-systems role, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Whether it's your proficiency in programming languages like Python or understanding control systems, make sure your CV showcases these prominently. Don't forget to mention any specific software or tools you're experienced with – that’s music to the ears of hiring managers!
Tailor Your Projects to Automation:If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving automation or control systems, make them stand out in your CV. Use a dedicated section to highlight these projects, explaining your role and the impact of your contributions. This could be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tell us why you’re passionate about automation-control-systems! Discuss specific experiences that sparked your interest in this field. Maybe it's a university project or a previous job that truly got you hooked. We love seeing that spark! Make sure to reference how you can contribute to Friland and its goals.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the world of automation, results matter. When listing your experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you improve system efficiency by a percentage? Did you reduce downtime? Putting numbers to your successes not only demonstrates your impact but also lets us see the tangible outcomes of your efforts. It makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Friland
✨Master Your Technical Knowledge
In the automation control systems field, you need to brush up on your technical know-how. Be prepared to talk about specific control systems you’ve worked with, such as PLCs or SCADA systems, and expect technical questions or even hands-on problem-solving scenarios during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Whether it's freelance projects or your academic work, come ready to showcase your portfolio of automation projects. Bring along any diagrams, code samples, or automation solutions you’ve implemented—these can really set you apart and demonstrate your applied skills to Friland.
✨Understand Industry Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in automation technologies and methodologies, like Industry 4.0 or IIoT. We'll want to discuss how these concepts may affect the role and future projects at Friland, so showing that you're knowledgeable about current and emerging technologies can give you an edge.
✨Commit to Continuous Learning
As this is a full-time role, it's essential to express your eagerness for continuous improvement and learning. Share how you plan to enhance your skills and keep pace with the evolution of automation in the workforce – companies love candidates who are committed to growth and adaptability.
