Posted Tuesday 24 February 2026 at 01:00 Development Technologist Location: Lees of Scotland Shift: Monday to Friday 8.00am-4.30pm We have an exciting opportunity to join the Development team in the role ofDevelopment Technologist at ourLeessite as part of Finsbury Food Group. Lees stands out for its ability to create confections that are more than just sweets -they'reedible nostalgia. Our iconic snowballs, teacakes, and meringues have woven themselves into the fabric of more than just Scottish culture, becoming go-to treats for both everyday indulgence and celebratory moments. As a Development Technologist, you willbe responsible to develop, trial and validate new and existing products in line with agreed customer briefs, commercial targets and factory capability. The role plays a key part in accurate costings, robust documentation, effective risk management and smooth translation from concept through to factory launch, while supporting innovation, food safety, quality and continuous improvement standards. This is what you'll actually do! As a Development Technologist, you will drive innovative product development from concept to launch, ensuring compliance with legal, brand and customer standards. You will create and manage cost-effective recipes aligned to margin and nutritional targets, producing accurate trial documentation and handover packs. You will be responsible for QAS and arranging customer samples. You will plan and coordinate factory trials, capturing key data, managing risks and delivering clear, evidence-based recommendations. Working closely with Technical and cross-functional teams, you will support product validation including shelf-life, microbiological and physical testing. You will benchmark products against the market, identify opportunities for improvement and contribute to continuous innovation and process excellence. Flexibility in working hours is required to support factory trials and launch activities. Ideally this is you! Degree preferred Food Science / Technology / Process Engineering or similar degree / HND equivalent or relevant experience Strong understanding of product development processes from concept to launch Knowledge of factory processes and manufacturability considerations Experience generating recipes, costings and managing BoMs Ability to manage multiple projects to critical path deadlines Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret trial and validation data Knowledge of food safety, microbiology and shelf-life validation Commercial awareness and understanding of margin targets Strong communication and stakeholder management skills Passion for food innovation and emerging market trends Detail-oriented, organised and solutions-focused Valid UK driving license preferred What'sin it for you! Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival! Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees Free Employee AssistanceProgramme(open to colleagues and their families) Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform! Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral - T&C's dependent) Employee Recognition Awards Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in-house development course!) An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growingorganisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more! Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK, and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team, and we want every individual to have the skills and capabilities to achieve both your own personal goals and our business goals. We want good people to join our company, to help our company continue to go from strength to strength. If this sounds like you, pleaseget in contactto learn more!
06/05/2026
Full time
Posted Tuesday 24 February 2026 at 01:00 Development Technologist Location: Lees of Scotland Shift: Monday to Friday 8.00am-4.30pm We have an exciting opportunity to join the Development team in the role ofDevelopment Technologist at ourLeessite as part of Finsbury Food Group. Lees stands out for its ability to create confections that are more than just sweets -they'reedible nostalgia. Our iconic snowballs, teacakes, and meringues have woven themselves into the fabric of more than just Scottish culture, becoming go-to treats for both everyday indulgence and celebratory moments. As a Development Technologist, you willbe responsible to develop, trial and validate new and existing products in line with agreed customer briefs, commercial targets and factory capability. The role plays a key part in accurate costings, robust documentation, effective risk management and smooth translation from concept through to factory launch, while supporting innovation, food safety, quality and continuous improvement standards. This is what you'll actually do! As a Development Technologist, you will drive innovative product development from concept to launch, ensuring compliance with legal, brand and customer standards. You will create and manage cost-effective recipes aligned to margin and nutritional targets, producing accurate trial documentation and handover packs. You will be responsible for QAS and arranging customer samples. You will plan and coordinate factory trials, capturing key data, managing risks and delivering clear, evidence-based recommendations. Working closely with Technical and cross-functional teams, you will support product validation including shelf-life, microbiological and physical testing. You will benchmark products against the market, identify opportunities for improvement and contribute to continuous innovation and process excellence. Flexibility in working hours is required to support factory trials and launch activities. Ideally this is you! Degree preferred Food Science / Technology / Process Engineering or similar degree / HND equivalent or relevant experience Strong understanding of product development processes from concept to launch Knowledge of factory processes and manufacturability considerations Experience generating recipes, costings and managing BoMs Ability to manage multiple projects to critical path deadlines Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret trial and validation data Knowledge of food safety, microbiology and shelf-life validation Commercial awareness and understanding of margin targets Strong communication and stakeholder management skills Passion for food innovation and emerging market trends Detail-oriented, organised and solutions-focused Valid UK driving license preferred What'sin it for you! Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival! Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees Free Employee AssistanceProgramme(open to colleagues and their families) Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform! Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral - T&C's dependent) Employee Recognition Awards Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in-house development course!) An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growingorganisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more! Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK, and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team, and we want every individual to have the skills and capabilities to achieve both your own personal goals and our business goals. We want good people to join our company, to help our company continue to go from strength to strength. If this sounds like you, pleaseget in contactto learn more!
We have a new opportunity for a Business Account Manager to join our Commercial team within Finsbury Food Group. Finsbury Food Group is one of the UK's leading speciality bakery manufacturers. We continually raise quality, innovation, and operational standards while building long term, trusted relationships across retail, foodservice, and brand partnerships. Our portfolio spans a wide range of bakery categories-from market leading retailer own brand products to beloved licensed and branded ranges-produced across our nationwide network of bakeries. This is an exciting time to join us. With a highly ambitious commercial agenda, growing customer partnerships, and major development projects underway, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping long term success for both Finsbury and our retail partners. To be successful in this role, you will create long term, strategic customer relationships and deliver commercial growth across both retailer own brand and Finsbury's branded portfolio. You will act as the primary day to day contact for one of the UK's top grocery customers, developing and executing business plans, leading commercial negotiations, managing full P&L ownership, and ensuring the successful delivery of product development projects from concept to launch. You'll work collaboratively with a wide network of internal stakeholders-including NPD, Marketing, Commercial Finance, and bakery site teams-to deliver best in class solutions that meet customer needs, align with our strategic direction, and support profitable, sustainable growth. This is what you'll actually do! As Business Account Manager, you'll take full ownership of the commercial performance and day to day relationship with one of the UK's top grocery retailers. You'll be the key point of contact, building strong relationships, understanding customer priorities, and ensuring our plans, proposals, and product developments align with their long term strategy. You'll lead the full commercial planning process-managing the P&L, forecasting, negotiating pricing and promotions, and tracking ongoing performance. Alongside this, you'll oversee a range of product development projects, working closely with NPD, Technical, Marketing, Finance, and site teams to ensure launches land on time and meet both commercial and customer expectations. A big part of your role will be identifying and driving growth opportunities, whether through expanding existing ranges, introducing new formats, or improving promotional and forecast accuracy. When challenges arise, you'll act as the escalation point, resolving issues quickly and maintaining excellent service. Your success will be measured through key KPIs such as sales and profit delivery, forecast accuracy, launch execution, and overall account growth. Ideally this is you! Proven experience in Account Management or Commercial roles-ideally with exposure to major UK grocery retailers Strong track record of building customer relationships and delivering commercial growth Experience managing projects, development pipelines, or cross functional initiatives Ideally retail own brand experience, with understanding of development processes and commercial evaluation Excellent communicator, influencer, and presenter with confidence engaging senior stakeholders Skilled in forecasting, planning, negotiation, and commercial analysis Competent in MS Office (particularly Excel) and familiar with commercial systems/tools Highly organised and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously Positive attitude, resilient mindset, and a willingness to take on new challenges What's in it for you? Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival! Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families) Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform! Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral - T&C's dependent) Employee Recognition Awards Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in house development course!) An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more! Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK, and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team, and we want every individual to have the skills and capabilities to achieve both your own personal goals and our business goals. We want good people to join our company, to help our company continue to go from strength to strength. If this sounds like you, please get in contact to learn more!
06/05/2026
Full time
We have a new opportunity for a Business Account Manager to join our Commercial team within Finsbury Food Group. Finsbury Food Group is one of the UK's leading speciality bakery manufacturers. We continually raise quality, innovation, and operational standards while building long term, trusted relationships across retail, foodservice, and brand partnerships. Our portfolio spans a wide range of bakery categories-from market leading retailer own brand products to beloved licensed and branded ranges-produced across our nationwide network of bakeries. This is an exciting time to join us. With a highly ambitious commercial agenda, growing customer partnerships, and major development projects underway, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping long term success for both Finsbury and our retail partners. To be successful in this role, you will create long term, strategic customer relationships and deliver commercial growth across both retailer own brand and Finsbury's branded portfolio. You will act as the primary day to day contact for one of the UK's top grocery customers, developing and executing business plans, leading commercial negotiations, managing full P&L ownership, and ensuring the successful delivery of product development projects from concept to launch. You'll work collaboratively with a wide network of internal stakeholders-including NPD, Marketing, Commercial Finance, and bakery site teams-to deliver best in class solutions that meet customer needs, align with our strategic direction, and support profitable, sustainable growth. This is what you'll actually do! As Business Account Manager, you'll take full ownership of the commercial performance and day to day relationship with one of the UK's top grocery retailers. You'll be the key point of contact, building strong relationships, understanding customer priorities, and ensuring our plans, proposals, and product developments align with their long term strategy. You'll lead the full commercial planning process-managing the P&L, forecasting, negotiating pricing and promotions, and tracking ongoing performance. Alongside this, you'll oversee a range of product development projects, working closely with NPD, Technical, Marketing, Finance, and site teams to ensure launches land on time and meet both commercial and customer expectations. A big part of your role will be identifying and driving growth opportunities, whether through expanding existing ranges, introducing new formats, or improving promotional and forecast accuracy. When challenges arise, you'll act as the escalation point, resolving issues quickly and maintaining excellent service. Your success will be measured through key KPIs such as sales and profit delivery, forecast accuracy, launch execution, and overall account growth. Ideally this is you! Proven experience in Account Management or Commercial roles-ideally with exposure to major UK grocery retailers Strong track record of building customer relationships and delivering commercial growth Experience managing projects, development pipelines, or cross functional initiatives Ideally retail own brand experience, with understanding of development processes and commercial evaluation Excellent communicator, influencer, and presenter with confidence engaging senior stakeholders Skilled in forecasting, planning, negotiation, and commercial analysis Competent in MS Office (particularly Excel) and familiar with commercial systems/tools Highly organised and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously Positive attitude, resilient mindset, and a willingness to take on new challenges What's in it for you? Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival! Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families) Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform! Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral - T&C's dependent) Employee Recognition Awards Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in house development course!) An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more! Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK, and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team, and we want every individual to have the skills and capabilities to achieve both your own personal goals and our business goals. We want good people to join our company, to help our company continue to go from strength to strength. If this sounds like you, please get in contact to learn more!
We have an opportunity for a Senior Development Technologist to join our Development team in Hamilton. 135 years of craft baking skills lie behind the quality of the special branded cakes, sweet snacks and slices we produce in Hamilton and 55 million products are produced each year. Lightbody's is the UK's largest supplier of celebration cakes to UK retailers, with Disney, Mars, Universal and Thorntons all within the portfolio of branded cakes made under license. We also make a variety of supermarkets' well-loved own-label cakes and in-store bakery bites. The Senior Development Technologist will work as part of the development team to develop and innovate new products and processes. Ensuring our bakery products are produced and delivered effectively to the satisfaction of our customers. They will work as part of our development team to support the delivery of the development pipeline. This is a fast paced role, where the successful candidate will have excellent organisational and communication skills. They will have worked in a similar development position innovating new products and processes in response to customer briefs to maintain and grow a creative catalogue of products for our customers. With great attention to detail, they will present new product and process facts and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively to customers internally and externally and cross function. This role is based in Hamilton, however a willingness to travel is required as the Senior Development Technologist may occasionally visit our other sites. This is a great opportunity for someone to gain experience with one of the UK's largest bakery businesses. They'll work closely with a friendly and engaging team from both a site and group perspective, offering opportunities for growth and long-term career development. This is what you'll actually do! As the Senior Development Technologist you will to able to develop new products to meet internal and external standards and requirements for the broader area of responsibility. As well as overall awareness of comparative products from major retailers and competitors, you will manage focused development of new products to deliver the required margin of our customers and the business. You will monitor and benchmark product quality of new and existing products and raise issues with the development manager. You will work to critical path plans, organise and control resources to deliver products and processes to an agreed quality and timescale. Ideally this is you! Degree preferred Food science / technology or similar degree / HND equivalent or relevant experience Knowledge and interest of Food Computer literate - computer skills and knowledge of word and excel systems Driving license Basic or above Food hygiene What's in it for you? Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival! Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families) Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform! Company shop available at sites (heavily discounted, yummy products!) Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral - t&cs dependent) Employee Recognition Awards Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in-house development course!) An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more! Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team, and we want every individual to have the skills and capabilities to achieve both your own personal goals and our business goals. We want good people to join our company, to help our company continue to go from strength to strength. If this sounds like you, please get in contact to learn more!
06/05/2026
Full time
We have an opportunity for a Senior Development Technologist to join our Development team in Hamilton. 135 years of craft baking skills lie behind the quality of the special branded cakes, sweet snacks and slices we produce in Hamilton and 55 million products are produced each year. Lightbody's is the UK's largest supplier of celebration cakes to UK retailers, with Disney, Mars, Universal and Thorntons all within the portfolio of branded cakes made under license. We also make a variety of supermarkets' well-loved own-label cakes and in-store bakery bites. The Senior Development Technologist will work as part of the development team to develop and innovate new products and processes. Ensuring our bakery products are produced and delivered effectively to the satisfaction of our customers. They will work as part of our development team to support the delivery of the development pipeline. This is a fast paced role, where the successful candidate will have excellent organisational and communication skills. They will have worked in a similar development position innovating new products and processes in response to customer briefs to maintain and grow a creative catalogue of products for our customers. With great attention to detail, they will present new product and process facts and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively to customers internally and externally and cross function. This role is based in Hamilton, however a willingness to travel is required as the Senior Development Technologist may occasionally visit our other sites. This is a great opportunity for someone to gain experience with one of the UK's largest bakery businesses. They'll work closely with a friendly and engaging team from both a site and group perspective, offering opportunities for growth and long-term career development. This is what you'll actually do! As the Senior Development Technologist you will to able to develop new products to meet internal and external standards and requirements for the broader area of responsibility. As well as overall awareness of comparative products from major retailers and competitors, you will manage focused development of new products to deliver the required margin of our customers and the business. You will monitor and benchmark product quality of new and existing products and raise issues with the development manager. You will work to critical path plans, organise and control resources to deliver products and processes to an agreed quality and timescale. Ideally this is you! Degree preferred Food science / technology or similar degree / HND equivalent or relevant experience Knowledge and interest of Food Computer literate - computer skills and knowledge of word and excel systems Driving license Basic or above Food hygiene What's in it for you? Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival! Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families) Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform! Company shop available at sites (heavily discounted, yummy products!) Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral - t&cs dependent) Employee Recognition Awards Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in-house development course!) An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more! Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team, and we want every individual to have the skills and capabilities to achieve both your own personal goals and our business goals. We want good people to join our company, to help our company continue to go from strength to strength. If this sounds like you, please get in contact to learn more!
A leading bakery group in Scotland seeks a Development Technologist to enhance product innovation from concept to launch. In this role, you will manage recipes, conduct factory trials, and ensure compliance with food safety standards. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Food Science, strong analytical skills, and a passion for food innovation. Join a dynamic team and contribute to exciting product development initiatives.
06/05/2026
Full time
A leading bakery group in Scotland seeks a Development Technologist to enhance product innovation from concept to launch. In this role, you will manage recipes, conduct factory trials, and ensure compliance with food safety standards. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Food Science, strong analytical skills, and a passion for food innovation. Join a dynamic team and contribute to exciting product development initiatives.
A leading UK bakery group is seeking a Senior Development Technologist in Hamilton. This role focuses on developing innovative products and processes while ensuring quality standards are met. Candidates should have a degree in Food Science or related fields, alongside organizational and communication skills. The position involves product benchmarking and requires a driving license. Enjoy perks like enhanced parental leave and learning opportunities as part of a supportive team.
06/05/2026
Full time
A leading UK bakery group is seeking a Senior Development Technologist in Hamilton. This role focuses on developing innovative products and processes while ensuring quality standards are met. Candidates should have a degree in Food Science or related fields, alongside organizational and communication skills. The position involves product benchmarking and requires a driving license. Enjoy perks like enhanced parental leave and learning opportunities as part of a supportive team.
A leading specialty bakery manufacturer in the UK is looking for a Business Account Manager to manage commercial relationships with a top grocery customer. This role involves developing business plans, overseeing product launches, and driving growth opportunities. The ideal candidate should have experience in Account Management, strong negotiation skills, and a track record of delivering commercial growth. The position offers a chance to be part of a growing organisation with numerous employee benefits, including enhanced maternity leave and learning opportunities.
06/05/2026
Full time
A leading specialty bakery manufacturer in the UK is looking for a Business Account Manager to manage commercial relationships with a top grocery customer. This role involves developing business plans, overseeing product launches, and driving growth opportunities. The ideal candidate should have experience in Account Management, strong negotiation skills, and a track record of delivering commercial growth. The position offers a chance to be part of a growing organisation with numerous employee benefits, including enhanced maternity leave and learning opportunities.
A leading bakery manufacturer in Cardiff is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to oversee automation systems and ensure reliability across the site. The ideal candidate will take ownership of PLC platforms primarily Allen-Bradley, implement programming standards, and lead root cause analysis. Desired qualifications include a Degree in Control & Automation Engineering and strong experience with PLC systems. The role offers opportunities for professional development and enhanced employee benefits.
06/05/2026
Full time
A leading bakery manufacturer in Cardiff is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to oversee automation systems and ensure reliability across the site. The ideal candidate will take ownership of PLC platforms primarily Allen-Bradley, implement programming standards, and lead root cause analysis. Desired qualifications include a Degree in Control & Automation Engineering and strong experience with PLC systems. The role offers opportunities for professional development and enhanced employee benefits.
Location: MLC - Memory Lane Cakes, Cardiff Shift: Weekdays (with call-out support as required) We have a new opportunity for an Automation Engineer within our Engineering team at Memory Lane Cakes, part of the Finsbury Food Group. As our Automation Engineer, you will act as the site's sole automation specialist, taking full ownership of PLCs, robotics, vision systems, and control architecture. This is a highly autonomous role where you will drive automation standards, system reliability, and digital integration across the site. You will play a key role in reducing downtime, improving OEE, and ensuring robust, future proof automation systems. Finsbury Food Group is a leading specialty bakery manufacturer. We constantly raise quality and efficiency standards and build long-term relationships within the foodservice channel. Finsbury offer a wide range of bakery products and are a leading frozen supplier into the Foodservice sector. To be successful, you will take a structured and analytical approach to automation, with strong technical expertise and the confidence to challenge and improve existing systems. You'll work closely with engineering, operations, and IT to ensure automation systems are reliable, compliant, and aligned with site and group standards. This is a new opportunity where you can truly make your mark, building and shaping automation systems with full ownership and accountability. This is what you'll actually do! As Automation Engineer, you'll take ownership of all site PLC platforms, primarily Allen Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix, while also supporting Siemens, Omron, and Mitsubishi systems where required. You'll maintain and optimise robotic systems including ABB, Fanuc, and Mitsubishi, alongside supporting vision systems such as Keyence and Thingtrax. You'll lead structured root cause analysis for automation related failures, implementing long term corrective actions to reduce repeat issues and improve reliability. You'll develop, implement, and enforce PLC programming standards, ensuring consistency across naming conventions, documentation, alarm handling, and governance. You'll own all backup and version control processes, ensuring secure storage, change tracking, and full compliance with governance standards. Working closely with cross functional teams, you'll integrate PLC systems into SCADA/MES platforms, ensuring data integrity, accurate downtime capture, and reliable OEE reporting. You'll also support capital projects from specification through to commissioning and validation, ensuring robust technical handovers. In addition, you'll collaborate with IT on network infrastructure, support machine safety systems, and provide coaching and guidance to engineers to build automation capability across the site. Ideally this is you! Electrical/Electronic indentured apprenticeship trained. Degree/HND and equivalent experience in Control & Automation Engineering Strong experience with Allen Bradley / Rockwell (Studio 5000) Experience working with Siemens, Omron, or Mitsubishi PLCs Knowledge of robotics systems such as ABB, Fanuc, or Mitsubishi Experience with industrial communication protocols (e.g. Ethernet/IP, Profibus, RS232/485)Experience integrating PLC systems with SCADA/MES platforms Strong fault-finding and root cause analysis capability Strong experience of machine safety principles and safety PLC systems Experience with vision systems (Keyence, Thingtrax) (desirable) Detail-driven with strong documentation discipline and analytical mindset Experience within fast paced food manufacturing (desirable) Familiarity with Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations Able to work independently while collaborating and communicating cross functionally What's in it for you Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival! Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families) Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform! Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral - T&C's dependent) Employee Recognition Awards Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in house development course!) An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more!
06/05/2026
Full time
Location: MLC - Memory Lane Cakes, Cardiff Shift: Weekdays (with call-out support as required) We have a new opportunity for an Automation Engineer within our Engineering team at Memory Lane Cakes, part of the Finsbury Food Group. As our Automation Engineer, you will act as the site's sole automation specialist, taking full ownership of PLCs, robotics, vision systems, and control architecture. This is a highly autonomous role where you will drive automation standards, system reliability, and digital integration across the site. You will play a key role in reducing downtime, improving OEE, and ensuring robust, future proof automation systems. Finsbury Food Group is a leading specialty bakery manufacturer. We constantly raise quality and efficiency standards and build long-term relationships within the foodservice channel. Finsbury offer a wide range of bakery products and are a leading frozen supplier into the Foodservice sector. To be successful, you will take a structured and analytical approach to automation, with strong technical expertise and the confidence to challenge and improve existing systems. You'll work closely with engineering, operations, and IT to ensure automation systems are reliable, compliant, and aligned with site and group standards. This is a new opportunity where you can truly make your mark, building and shaping automation systems with full ownership and accountability. This is what you'll actually do! As Automation Engineer, you'll take ownership of all site PLC platforms, primarily Allen Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix, while also supporting Siemens, Omron, and Mitsubishi systems where required. You'll maintain and optimise robotic systems including ABB, Fanuc, and Mitsubishi, alongside supporting vision systems such as Keyence and Thingtrax. You'll lead structured root cause analysis for automation related failures, implementing long term corrective actions to reduce repeat issues and improve reliability. You'll develop, implement, and enforce PLC programming standards, ensuring consistency across naming conventions, documentation, alarm handling, and governance. You'll own all backup and version control processes, ensuring secure storage, change tracking, and full compliance with governance standards. Working closely with cross functional teams, you'll integrate PLC systems into SCADA/MES platforms, ensuring data integrity, accurate downtime capture, and reliable OEE reporting. You'll also support capital projects from specification through to commissioning and validation, ensuring robust technical handovers. In addition, you'll collaborate with IT on network infrastructure, support machine safety systems, and provide coaching and guidance to engineers to build automation capability across the site. Ideally this is you! Electrical/Electronic indentured apprenticeship trained. Degree/HND and equivalent experience in Control & Automation Engineering Strong experience with Allen Bradley / Rockwell (Studio 5000) Experience working with Siemens, Omron, or Mitsubishi PLCs Knowledge of robotics systems such as ABB, Fanuc, or Mitsubishi Experience with industrial communication protocols (e.g. Ethernet/IP, Profibus, RS232/485)Experience integrating PLC systems with SCADA/MES platforms Strong fault-finding and root cause analysis capability Strong experience of machine safety principles and safety PLC systems Experience with vision systems (Keyence, Thingtrax) (desirable) Detail-driven with strong documentation discipline and analytical mindset Experience within fast paced food manufacturing (desirable) Familiarity with Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations Able to work independently while collaborating and communicating cross functionally What's in it for you Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival! Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families) Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform! Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral - T&C's dependent) Employee Recognition Awards Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in house development course!) An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more!