FM and Depot Automation Manager: Argos

Behind every Argos order is a network of cutting edge logistics automation. As our FM and Depot Automation Manager, you'll own it from the day a new site is mobilised through to steady state operation, refurbishment and eventual replacement.

You'll be the single point of accountability for how our automated assets are handed over, stabilised and performed once live. You'll make sure new technology launches safely and runs reliably. You'll also manage suppliers, protect service performance and make sure our automation investment keeps paying back.

This is a high impact role for someone who loves the pace of a 24/7 operation and wants to shape how automation is run across multiple sites. You'll report to the Head of Facilities Management, Operations and Systems and work closely with senior stakeholders across the business.

What you'll be doing day to day

• Leading the mobilisation and early life stabilisation of new automated logistics assets, taking them safely from project delivery into business as usual.
• Providing operational oversight across multiple automated sites, setting consistent standards, deployment strategies and recovery approaches.
• Acting as the primary link with automation suppliers, holding them to account on KPIs, SLAs, milestones, commissioning, testing and operational readiness.
• Leading automation contract renewals and supplier governance with Procurement, challenging performance and commercial proposals to make sure contracts deliver value and resilience.
• Owning automation budgeting, forecasting and financial management, and prioritising annual and multi year capital and operating investment against risk, asset condition and business need.
• Building and maintaining a rolling five year asset lifecycle and refurbishment plan, spotting obsolescence, reliability and capacity risks early.
• Identifying, prioritising and governing improvements across mechanical, electrical, controls and software systems to boost safety, reliability, performance and cost effectiveness.
• Providing out of hours leadership for major incidents. You'll coordinate site teams, suppliers and senior stakeholders for rapid recovery, and use asset, incident and supplier data to drive better decisions.

What experience you'll bring (essential skills)

• A strong Facilities Management and/or automation background, with experience in a 24/7 logistics or industrial automation environment.
• Demonstrable experience of site set up and mobilisation, including defining and running performance frameworks, reporting and governance.
• Experience managing multiple service providers, and handling incidents, escalations and supplier performance at pace.
• Commercial awareness, including a solid understanding of service contracts, service level agreements and cost drivers.
• A methodical, analytical approach to decision making under pressure, with clear ownership during mobilisation, stabilisation and incidents.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including confidence updating senior leaders during live incidents.
• The ability to challenge suppliers constructively and drive corrective action.
• Proven leadership and strong organisational skills, with the ability to influence decisions and juggle competing priorities across multiple sites. Degree level education or equivalent is also required.

Responsibilities

At Argos, we’re a digital-led UK retailer that keeps pushing boundaries to meet every generation with what they want, how and when they want it. As a market leader in general merchandise, serving millions of customers through our website, app, same-day delivery and Click & Collect services, we offer real opportunities to learn, grow and shape your career. With roles spanning Commercial, Buying, Merchandising, Design and Supply Chain, through to Digital, Operations, Customer Experience, Marketing, and People and Transformation, you will work with brilliant colleagues and directly shape how we serve our customers every day. From enabling inspiring choice across our owned brands, including Habitat, Chad Valley and Bush, alongside the world’s biggest brands like Apple, Lego, Xbox and Samsung, to making shopping effortlessly convenient, championing trusted value and accelerating our strategy - Argos is an exciting place to build your future.

Qualifications

We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new — whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:

Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to save 10% on your shopping online and instore at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat, and we regularly increase the discount to 15% at points during the year. We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 20% of salary, depending on how we perform.

Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy up to an additional week's holiday, and we provide private healthcare. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, interest free car loan of up to £10k, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, salary advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. And if you ever need it there is also an Employee Assistance Programme.

Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.

Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).