Automation Engineering Manager
| Posting date: | 25 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Competitive |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 23 January 2026 |
| Location: | None, None |
| Company: | Tesco |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | tesco/TP/6617774/972550 |
Summary
About the role
We’re opening a state‑of‑the‑art, high‑spec Distribution Centre in Hinckley, one of the most strategically important logistics locations in the UK — and we’re on the lookout for an exceptional Automation Engineering Manager to help bring it to life.
In this pivotal role, you’ll lead all aspects of engineering across one of Tesco’s most advanced automated sites, while taking full ownership of a multi‑million‑pound budget and shaping the future of our engineering capability.
The Hiring Manager for this vacancy is Iain Spencer
You will be responsible for
- Managing one of Tesco’s most technologically advanced automated Distribution Centres, setting and maintaining the highest of engineering standards.
- Playing a key role in Tesco’s UK automation engineering team, contributing to long‑term strategy and direction.
- Influencing how automation evolves across the network as we expand our capabilities and modernise our distribution model.
- Ensure strong automation maintenance routines, minimising downtime and managing an effective pipeline of parts, critical spares and repairs.
- Working closely with vendors and contractors to deliver all planned and compliance maintenance activities to the highest standard and within agreed timescales.
- Driving continuous Improvement & Investment Planning – collaborating with senior automation peers to identify where investment is needed and lead the planning and execution of improvement work.
- Oversee capacity planning and workload management, ensuring the team is set up for success through strong, proactive maintenance scheduling.
- Developing trusted, effective relationships across the business and communicate clearly with all stakeholders.
You will need
- Automation & AMR expertise at an operational management level, ideally within a fast‑paced or high‑tech environment.
- Strong senior leadership experience, confident working with senior stakeholders (DCMs, GMs, Directors).
- Proven ability to lead large, multi‑skilled engineering teams, including automation specialists across complex areas like RSU and chilled chambers.
- Excellent people leadership skills, able to inspire, coach and develop high‑performing teams.
- Exceptional stakeholder and relationship management, influencing effectively across the business.
- Solid financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing multi‑million‑pound budgets.
- Engineering degree (or equivalent) with significant experience in highly automated distribution or operational environments.
- Strategic mindset, contributing to long‑term planning and working closely with senior engineering leaders.
- Adaptive, dynamic working style, able to lead both on‑site and remotely.
- Strong understanding of safety, compliance and legal requirements within a distribution centre environment.
What’s in it for you
We’re all about the little helps. That’s why we make sure our Tesco colleague benefits package takes care of you – both in and out of work. Click Here to find out more!
- Annual bonus scheme of up to 20% of base salary
- Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays)
- Private medical insurance
- 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (after 1 years’ service) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay, we also offer 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave
- Free 24/7 virtual GP service, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and your family, free access to a range of experts to support your mental wellbeing
About us
Tesco has become a market leader by doing the little things that really matter for our customers and colleagues.
It’s part of what makes Tesco such a great place to work, and we’re proud to have been accredited as one of Britain’s Top Employers again this year.
We're the UK's number one retailer and we pride ourselves on offering a great shopping experience. We are passionate about our food, merchandise and services and will always try to get things right for our customers.
But did you know we also offer great job opportunities? With stores, distribution centres and offices across the UK, and a vast variety of roles, we are always looking for people who have a hunger to work with customers and colleagues across our exciting business.
We believe in treating each other with respect and giving everyone an equal opportunity to get on. It's our people that make the difference every day - helping us make a difference for our customers
Should you be successful in your application, your offer will be subject to and conditional upon you providing your bank account details before your agreed start date.
For more information about us please visit www.tescoplc.com
#VP25
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme