Engineering Director, Automation & Robotics

About The Role

The Engineering Director, Automation & Robotics will define and lead Kerry’s global automation and robotics strategy across a diverse manufacturing footprint. Accountable for the end-to-end lifecycle from concept development through deployment and value realisation, this role will translate innovative automation and robotics opportunities into scalable, high-impact business solutions that enhance safety, productivity, quality, and operational excellence.

Combining strategic leadership with deep technical expertise, the role will accelerate the adoption of advanced automation, robotics, and smart factory technologies while ensuring rigorous capital prioritisation and investment governance.

Kerry operates a Hybrid working policy, candidates will be required to work from our offices in Naas each week.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Define and own the end-to-end global robotics and automation strategy in alignment with Kerry’s 2030 Integrated Operations growth, sustainability and operational excellence goals.
• Serve as Kerry’s global subject matter expert for robotics, mechatronics and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Lead enterprise-wide alignment on a multi-year manufacturing automation roadmap, advancing plant capabilities from foundational automation to robotics, smart manufacturing and autonomous operations.
• Expand and lead a global robotics and automation centre of excellence, providing technical leadership, standards, governance and expertise across all regions.
• Transform automation into a core enabler of business performance.

Operational Excellence & Capability Building

• Partner with regional and site engineering teams to identify automation opportunities that enhance safety, strengthen product quality, improve throughput and reduce waste.
• Build global standards, governance frameworks and best practices for automation design, deployment and life cycle management.
• Lead capability development across the network, including training, upskilling and knowledge-sharing programmes for engineering and operations teams.
• Define and implement an automation maturity model to benchmark sites, identify gaps and prioritise investments.
• Establish KPIs and dashboards to measure automation performance, maturity progression and financial impact.

Programme & Portfolio Management

• Own the global automation and robotics project portfolio, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and return on investment expectations.
• Drive disciplined capital planning, ensuring all projects meet cost, payback and performance criteria.
• Monitor project execution, ensuring safety, quality and operational readiness are embedded from concept through commissioning.

Stakeholder Engagement & Innovation

• Build and manage strategic relationships with key robotics manufacturers, automation providers, OEMs and system integrators to maximise value from global partnerships.
• Act as Kerry’s internal ambassador for automation, influencing senior stakeholders and building alignment across regions and functions.
• Develop strategic partnerships with research institutions and industry bodies to accelerate innovation and maintain awareness of emerging technologies.
• Lead change management efforts to ensure the successful adoption of new technologies and ways of working.
• Continuously assess advancements in robotics, autonomous systems, machine vision, artificial intelligence, cobots, mobile robotics and mechatronic solutions, translating opportunities into scalable business applications.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, Automation, Mechatronics or a related field.
• 10+ years demonstrated leadership experience in the deployment of advanced robotics, mechatronics, autonomous material handling, machine vision and industrial automation technologies within large-scale manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience building strategic partnerships with robotics suppliers, automation technology providers and system integrators at a global level.
• Hands-on experience working within a matrix organisation and contributing from a Centre of Excellence perspective.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex capital portfolios with a focus on ROI, payback and cost discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Operational Technology and its integration with IT data architecture and control systems.
• Exceptional leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience within food manufacturing is highly desirable, including exposure to spray drying, dry blending, UHT processing, membrane filtration and pasteurisation processes, together with GMP standards and food industry regulations (e.g. BRC, IFS and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for data integrity).

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

Get in touch today!

In Kerry we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles, and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.

Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit. We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kerry and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.