Danish Crown

Automation Engineer

Danish Crown  •  Rochdale, GB (Onsite)  •  2 hours ago
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Job Description

Automation Engineer – Food Manufacturing Environment (Danish Crown)

Role Purpose

The Automation Engineer is responsible for the reliability, safety, optimisation, and continuous improvement of industrial automation and control systems within Danish Crown’s food manufacturing environment.

The role ensures stable and compliant operation of automated production and utility systems in line with food safety, quality, and health & safety requirements. The position works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and IT. IT infrastructure and enterprise systems remain owned by the IT function; this role provides operational input, coordination, and system expertise to support them.

Key Responsibilities

Automation & Production Systems

  • Develop, maintain, and optimise PLC, HMI, SCADA, and MES‑related automation systems supporting production performance (e.g. OEE, SAP PM interfaces).
  • Troubleshoot automation, electrical, and process control issues across production and utilities.
  • Ensure high availability and reliable performance of automated equipment in a regulated food environment.
  • Act as the production automation interface to IT by providing requirements, impact assessments, testing support, and coordination for system changes.

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

  • Ensure automation solutions comply with HACCP, hygienic design principles, and Danish Crown standards.
  • Support QEHS compliance, legal obligations, and internal governance.
  • Participate in risk assessments, validation, and controlled change processes for automation changes.

Continuous Improvement & Reliability

  • Drive CI initiatives targeting efficiency, uptime, yield, and waste reduction.
  • Apply RCA, FMECA, RCM, and CBM methods to reduce recurring failures.
  • Support LEAN ways of working, site performance boards, and problem‑solving routines.

CAPEX & Project Delivery

  • Provide automation input to CAPEX projects including scope definition, functional specifications, commissioning, and handover.
  • Coordinate with IT where projects affect IT‑managed systems.
  • Manage suppliers, system integrators, and contractors within the automation scope.

Maintenance & Technical Governance

  • Support specialist automation maintenance activities and standards.
  • Develop and maintain SOPs and work instructions.
  • Act as CMMS (SAP PM) super‑user from an automation and maintenance perspective.
  • Support design reviews, upgrades, and obsolescence management.

Collaboration & Capability Building

  • Work closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, and IT teams.
  • Train and coach operators and technicians in automation systems and process optimisation.
  • Support peer‑site collaboration and external supplier engagement.

Required Education & Experience

  • Degree in Automation, Electrical, Mechanical, or Process Engineering or a relevant technical apprenticeship with strong automation specialisation.
  • Experience in automation or engineering roles within food, FMCG, or regulated manufacturing environments.
  • Hands‑on experience with PLC, HMI, SCADA, MES environments and CMMS systems (preferably SAP PM).

Technical Knowledge & Competencies

  • Strong understanding of HACCP, hygienic design, and food manufacturing constraints.
  • Experience with reliability engineering and LEAN principles.
  • Structured problem‑solving, strong communication skills, and the ability to challenge constructively.
  • Solid digital literacy and ability to work effectively alongside IT‑owned systems.
Danish Crown

About Danish Crown

The Danish Crown Group is a global food processing company and among the largest in its field. The Group is the world’s largest pork exporter and Europe’s largest pork processor. Furthermore, Danish Crown Beef is a significant player in the European beef market.

Just like the crops in the fields continuously change, Danish Crown tirelessly refine and improve how we work, from farm to fork, to ensure good, safe food for people around the world to enjoy. Our history goes back to 1887 and the Danish cooperative movement, and responsibility towards society, our employees and our owners, the farmers, is quite simply in our genes.

As a global leader in meat production, we have big obligations; not just to deliver, but to explore new opportunities. We still have a long way to go and face many challenges. But we remain committed to improving how food is produced - with respect for animals, people and the environment. In this quest, we are prepared to challenge ourselves, the industry and the market.

This journey is not ours alone, but we promise to be the leaders of change.

You will become a part of a strong culture with roots in the Danish co-operative movement, and at all levels of the organization, you will be met by an informal and direct tone.

Industry
Food & Beverage
Company Size
1,001-5,000 employees
Headquarters
Randers, DK
Year Founded
1887
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