Senior Automation Solutions Manager - Grocery Automation

Senior Automation Solutions Manager - Grocery AutomationLocation: EMEA – flexible on locationTravel: European travelType: Full-time | Permanent The OpportunityWe are supporting a high-growth global robotics and warehouse automation business as they expand their presence across EMEA. The business has established a strong position across areas including e-commerce and fashion and is now looking to significantly grow within the grocery sector. This is a newly focused role around the grocery market, combining industry expertise, warehouse automation, solution design and go-to-market strategy. We are looking for someone who understands how grocery fulfilment operations work and, importantly, knows how automation solutions can be designed around those requirements.This is not a traditional marketing position. You will work closely with customers, integrators, sales, engineering and product teams to understand market requirements, develop automation solutions and help shape the company's approach to the European grocery market. Key Responsibilities Customer & Solution DevelopmentEngage with grocery retailers, 3PLs, integrators and other industry stakeholders to understand operational challenges.Translate customer requirements into practical warehouse automation solutions.Design solutions around different grocery environments.Assess storage strategies, picking processes, throughput, capacity and operational KPIs.Support the development of ROI models and business cases for automation projects.Work alongside commercial and technical teams during customer meetings, RFPs and proof-of-concepts. Product & Market DevelopmentAct as the voice of the grocery customer internally.Feed market and customer insight into product and engineering teams.Identify opportunities to improve existing solutions or develop new capabilities for grocery.Support new product launches and market introductions.Help ensure automation solutions remain competitive as grocery requirements evolve. Cross-Functional LeadershipWork closely with sales, solutions, engineering, product and delivery teams across EMEA and global headquarters.Coordinate resources to support major grocery opportunities.Deliver internal training, customer demonstrations, webinars and industry events.Help establish the company's grocery proposition and build the market from early-stage opportunity through to wider adoption. What We're Looking ForEssential3+ years' experience within grocery automation, warehouse automation or a closely related environment.Strong understanding of grocery fulfilment and warehouse operations.Experience across automation planning, solution design, warehouse engineering, fulfilment engineering, systems integration or a similar function.Ability to understand an operation end-to-end, rather than only one individual product or process.Strong understanding of warehouse automation technologies and how different systems work together.Experience analysing operational requirements, KPIs, throughput and capacity.Strong analytical and commercial skills, including ROI and business-case development.Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Logistics, Automation, Supply Chain or a related discipline.Strong communication skills and the ability to work across technical, commercial and operational teams.Fluent English. DesirableExperience working directly with grocery retailers or 3PLs.Experience within an automation integrator or robotics/warehouse automation technology business.Experience with AutoCAD or 2D warehouse layout/design tools.Experience with mobile robots, AS/RS, ACRs, AMRs or similar technologies.Experience supporting pre-sales, RFPs, PoCs or customer solution development. What You'll GetThe opportunity to play a key role in expanding an established robotics business into a major new market.Significant ownership over the development of the grocery proposition across EMEA.Exposure to major retailers, 3PLs and automation projects.The opportunity to work across product, engineering, sales and commercial teams internationally.Regular international travel and exposure to a global robotics environment.Competitive salary, performance-based bonus and benefits package.