Automation Engineering Manager - Europe at Haleon

About the role

• This role in the EUROPE Business Unit Quality Supply Chain reports to the EUROPE Engineering & EHS Lead and exists to provide leadership and technical expertise in automation systems performance across the Europe QSC Manufacturing Sites and into Logistics to reduce losses and ensure efficient operation, leveraging new technologies and digital platforms to drive the business forward.
• The role requires a level of expertise and knowledge on technology and developments in the field of instrumentation, control technology, digital opportunities and Haleon standards so that strategies and activities to identify and optimise automation solutions to enhance productivity and improve our manufacturing and distribution performance and delivery of business goals.  The breath and impact is across all Europe sites to design, implement and improve operational automation working closely with site and central engineering teams, Tech IT teams, QSC Europe lead team and business stakeholders.
• Analytical thinking and problem solving is required including experience in data analysis, trending and understanding of performance metrics, as well as automation knowledge of Manufacturing execution systems and their integration, the use of equipment automation in manufacturing and logistics and AI/Digital learning.  
• Review site digital and automation plans to understand if the levels of investments, preventative and predictive maintenance are optimal and where not identify improvement.
• The individual must have the leadership, functional and financial acumen to prioritise and simplify initiatives and deploy programmes, while having a track record of communicating, stakeholder management and influencing effectively. Able to communicate complexities in automation engineering and digital in a manner that defines the issue and risk to senior, non-engineering audiences as well as communicate in depth to expert teams for peer review and governance. 

Role Responsibilities

Automation/Digital Strategy Development & deployment.

• Define and execute the continuous investment plan to ensure the business remains current and innovative in both automation and digital technologies to leverage business benefit and avoid significant obsolescence in both skills and technology:
• Work in collaboration with the global teams to develop and implement Smart Factory and Logistics strategies to enhance production efficiency, product quality and cost.
• Support the sites and collaborate with central teams across Engineering & EHS, Tech, Quality and Operational Excellence in the identification of potential opportunities, and the development of robust business cases, to introduce automation and digital solutions to maximise operational performance across the sites.
• Collaborate with the Tech IT and Engineering organisations to identify potential equipment obsolescence and recommend remediation activities that align with Europe Business Capital plans and business strategy.
• Ensuring consistent standards in hardware and software are applied and obsolescence risks are addressed/mitigated.
• Support and staff key projects being executed at site.

System Design and Integration

• Oversee and approval of design, program and integration of automation systems such as MES, Robotics, Machine learning. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the seamless integration with existing systems.

Lead the Europe Business Unit automation and digital programme in alignment with the global strategies to manage the capex, reliability, maintenance, and performance improvement of the automation infrastructure across the Europe QSC Manufacturing sites:

• Gather performance metrics and identify trends and improvement opportunities. Utilize data modelling tools and reporting systems, to drive deeper insights, improved visibility, and effective improvement opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with the global teams to identify and onboard new automation and digital solutions
• Implement best practices and innovative solutions to optimise production performance and Logistics masterplan x.

Provide subject matter expertise and specialist technical advice:

• Support projects during key stages of projects such as user requirements specifications, detailed design reviews, validation and handover  
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues to minimise downtime and maintain production efficiency

Capability & Talent Development:

• Identify automation and OT skill gaps across sites, support targeted development plans, and provide coaching to build strong talent pipelines and succession plans.
• Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing: Lead the automation community of practice to strengthen cross-site collaboration, build relationships, and promote knowledge exchange that accelerates capability and innovation.

Safety:

• Intolerant for unsafe situations or implementing changes where the impact of the change relevant to safety or quality has not been considered and understand it’s impact on people or the environment and the necessary mitigations to reduce risk.
• Ensure all automation systems comply with industry standards and safety regulations.
• Implement safety protocols and conduct regular safety audits (such as Cyber security).

Supplier & Vendor Management:

• Work with central Engineering, Procurement, and global/regional vendors to source automation equipment, systems, and platforms that meet organisational standards and specifications.
• Support sites with tenders and contractor selection for automation and OT services, ensuring technical requirements are met and solutions deliver value for money for Haleon.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

• Degree qualified in an Engineering discipline preferably in automation, mechatronics or related field. 
• Demonstrated record of successful automation project delivery.
• Experience in a highly compliant industry, such as healthcare, pharma or FMCG
• Execution with excellence delivery
• Capability Building
• Foundations of Safety and Quality
• Related experience in manufacturing operations and engineering teams.
• Skilled in installing, testing, troubleshooting, and maintaining manufacturing
• Automation systems including PLCs, SCADA, instrumentation, packaging controls, serialisation platforms, and vision systems.
• Knowledge of OT and IT architecture and network infrastructure, segmentation principles, communication protocols, firewalls and cyber security risk management.
• Ability to analyse data and use problem solving skills to  resolve issues and implement change.
• Previous experience in a formal management/leadership role

Preferred Qualifications:

• Holds registered membership of an Engineering Professional body.
• Experience in Digital strategy definition