Automation Design Manager

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 the role

In this role, you will design Tesco’s next‑generation automation solutions, turning strategy into scalable robotic capabilities and future‑ready blueprints that strengthen operational performance across the business. You will work collaboratively across functions to develop automation solutions that enhance both existing and emerging operating models, supporting Tesco in serving customers, communities and the planet better every day.

You will collaborate with agility, delivering improvements aligned to business plans and budgets, and supporting others to achieve strong results. You will identify and address issues quickly, champion technology as a key enabler of Tesco’s future, and act as the automation design authority guiding the long‑term automation ecosystem.

You will be responsible for

• Designing automation solutions using robotics, AMRs and machine vision to deliver significant efficiency gains and strengthen future automation readiness.
• Developing modular, scalable automation solutions that minimise customisation effort and accelerate deployment across a range of operational environments.
• Leading Tesco’s automation horizon‑scanning activity, translating global robotics and automation trends into clear strategic design pathways.
• Acting as Tesco’s technical lead with robotics and automation partners, setting design standards, integration requirements and assessing supplier capability.
• Developing long‑term plans (10+ years) and strategies that shape comprehensive short‑ and long‑term automation solutions.
• Delivering strong stakeholder management with external partners and senior leaders across Tesco, providing clear and regular updates on project progress, outcomes and deliverables.
• Managing budgets and forecasts, ensuring costs are accurate, timely and aligned to financial expectations.
• Designing structured change plans for blueprints and sites, working across multiple teams to ensure changes land effectively first time.
• Providing design governance and assurance so that automation solutions are delivered as intended by downstream delivery teams.
• Generating solution options supported by detailed business cases and costings.
• Working within an Agile methodology to develop plans at pace, adapting to shifting priorities while fully leveraging the Agile framework, QBR process and supporting tools.

You will need

• Experience in solution design and concept engineering, including multi‑vendor system integrations.
• Strong automation architecture skills and the ability to provide governance for blueprint standards.
• Expertise in evaluating robotics systems, including AMRs, vision systems and integrated automation technologies.
• A solid background in quality control and assurance across automation solutions.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and assessing technical capability, integration maturity, safety compliance and scalability.
• The ability to lead full lifecycle automation design planning, from early concepts through to deployment‑ready solutions.
• Strong collaboration and networking skills, working effectively across multiple teams and technical disciplines.
• Experience engaging senior leaders and managing stakeholders with clarity and confidence.
• Proven capability in budget and cost management, including accurate financial planning.
• Hands‑on automation solution design and system evaluation experience, ideally across multiple robotics platforms.
• Experience modelling automation lifecycle costs (capex/opex forecasting, ROI analysis and total cost of ownership for robotic systems).
• Practical experience applying Agile delivery methods to automation design cycles, enabling rapid iteration and close collaboration with engineering teams.
• The ability to translate complex automation design and performance data into clear, actionable recommendations for technical and operational leaders.

About us

You might know us as a supermarket, technology company or even for our award-winning mobile network. Truth is, we’re all of those things, and much more. Our colleagues work with one goal in mind, helping to make every day a little better for our customers, colleagues and communities all over the world. No two customers are the same, neither are our colleagues.

At Tesco, we champion a balance that lets you thrive both in and out of work. Spend 60% of your week collaborating with colleagues at our office locations or local sites and the rest remotely. Whether you're just kicking off your career, juggling passions, or navigating big life events, we're here to support you. We always welcome a conversation about flexible working, so talk to us throughout your application about how we can support.

We're proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Leader, where everyone’s welcome. That’s why we commit to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need support with your application, click here for more information. And if you're interested in joining our team but don't tick every box, don't let that hold you back from applying.