At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI strategy and delivery, driving transformational change in building materials.
- Company: Tarmac, a leader in sustainable building materials and construction solutions.
- Benefits: Enhanced holiday, pension scheme, discounts, and employee assistance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with AI and automation in a high-impact role.
- Qualifications: Experience in AI solutions, data governance, and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with opportunities for growth and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
CRH is a global leader in building materials solutions, and Tarmac is a leading sustainable building materials and construction solutions business in the UK. This role offers an exciting opportunity to drive transformational change through artificial intelligence and automation technologies.
About the role
Tarmac is seeking a visionary Senior Manager - AI & Automation to lead the strategy, delivery, and governance of Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, and RPA across our UK operations. This is a senior, high-impact role driving measurable value, operational excellence, and industry leadership as we transform how we work through intelligent technologies.
Responsibilities
- Shape and Deliver the AI Strategy
- Identify, prioritise, and deliver AI opportunities across plant optimisation, predictive maintenance, computer vision, logistics, forecasting, sustainability, and quality.
- Lead end-to-end delivery of AI solutions—from idea and prototyping to production and business-as-usual service.
- Define value metrics and ensure every initiative delivers measurable ROI.
- Maximise enterprise platforms such as Microsoft Copilot, Multiply by CRH, SAP Joule, and Salesforce Einstein.
- Track emerging AI technologies and position Tarmac as an industry leader.
- Develop and operate AI delivery frameworks: LLMOps, model evaluation, monitoring, RAG, and integration architecture.
- Create AI reference architectures, quality standards, and assurance processes including red-teaming and model drift detection.
- Oversee secure OT/IT integration to unlock value from plant, quarry, and IoT data.
- Own the AI readiness roadmap including data governance, MDM, security, and enterprise knowledge architecture.
- Lead AI FinOps: cost controls, usage telemetry, optimisation, and ROI analysis.
- Implement governance aligned to CRH standards, NIST, Cyber Essentials, SOx, ISO/IEC 42001 and data protection requirements.
- Ensure safe, transparent, explainable AI with robust controls for agentic systems.
- Build a blended delivery model of internal experts and specialist partners.
- Develop workforce plans for AI product managers, engineers, knowledge engineers, risk specialists, and UX roles.
- Lead change, adoption, training, and enablement—including role-based training and AI champions.
- Manage RPA strategy and delivery, ensuring alignment with AI governance and value measurement.
- Work closely with CRH Group and international partners to leverage global capability.
- Partner across IT, Cyber, Compliance, Data and business functions to deliver integrated, secure solutions.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers, innovation networks, and academia.
Requirements
- A proven ability to deliver business value from AI or advanced analytics with measurable ROI.
- Experience leading AI solutions from concept to production and BAU.
- A developed understanding of AI platforms, LLMOps/GenAIOps, governance, cyber security, and regulatory requirements (NIST, Cyber Essentials, SOx).
- Skilled in data governance, enterprise AI platforms, and scaling innovation into operational services.
- A demonstrated ability to lead blended teams and manage strategic partners.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership abilities.
- Track record of staying current with emerging technologies.
- Experience with RPA (UiPath), industrial/processing environments, OT data, predictive maintenance, or computer vision.
- A familiarity with large multi-site organisations.
- A knowledge of RAG, agentic AI, enterprise AI tools, and ISO/IEC 42001.
Qualifications
- A degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Business or equivalent experience.
- Relevant certifications (AI/ML, data, project management, cyber security) are beneficial.
Benefits
- Enhanced holiday entitlement
- Contributory pension scheme
- Access to the Tarmac Reward website with discounts on retailers, holidays, etc.
- Access to our Employee Assistance helpline for free and confidential advice
- Working Parents training and development opportunities
Senior Manager - AI & Automation employer: Oldcastle Inc.
Contact Detail:
Oldcastle Inc. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager - AI & Automation
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the AI and automation space. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your AI projects or any relevant work you've done. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise and make a lasting impression on potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply blindly! Tailor your approach for each role. Research Tarmac and their AI initiatives, and then highlight how your experience aligns with their goals. A personalised touch can really set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Leverage our website! We’ve got loads of resources and tips to help you ace your job search. Plus, applying through our site can give you a better chance of getting noticed. So, don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager - AI & Automation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Manager - AI & Automation. Highlight your experience with AI strategies, governance, and any relevant technologies like RPA or predictive maintenance. We want to see how your skills align with our vision!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about AI and automation, and how you can drive transformational change at Tarmac. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Impact: When detailing your past experiences, focus on measurable outcomes. We love numbers! Whether it's ROI from AI initiatives or improvements in operational excellence, make sure to quantify your contributions to demonstrate your ability to deliver business value.
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. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oldcastle Inc.
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in AI and automation technologies. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully implemented AI solutions in the past, focusing on measurable ROI and operational excellence.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead blended teams and manage strategic partners. Prepare examples of how you've driven change and adoption in previous roles, especially in complex environments.
✨Understand the Business Impact
Be prepared to talk about how AI can transform operations in the building materials industry. Think about specific opportunities for plant optimisation, predictive maintenance, and sustainability that you could bring to Tarmac.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication is key in this role. Practice explaining complex AI concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to engage with various stakeholders across IT, Cyber, Compliance, and business functions.