Automation Engineer
Finsbury FoodsCardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Posted April 8, 2026
Full Time
About the Company
Finsbury Foods is a leading UK bakery group that supplies a broad portfolio of cakes, breads, and snack items to supermarket own-labels, high‑street restaurants, hotels, and pubs. Operating eight production sites under brands such as Memory Lane Cakes, Lightbody, and Johnstone’s Food Service, the company delivers fresh and frozen rolls, artisan breads, organic varieties, and specialty products like Cranks and Vogels. Its cake division produces premium sponge and loaf cakes, seasonal and licensed celebration cakes for brands such as Disney and Thornton’s, as well as individually portioned sweet snacks. Finsbury’s strength lies in its integrated supply chain, commitment to quality, and ability to tailor products for diverse retail and hospitality partners.
Job Description
We have a new opportunity for an Automation Engineer within our Engineering team at Memory Lane Cakes, part of the Finsbury Food Group. The Automation Engineer will take full ownership of PLCs, robotics, vision systems, and control architecture, driving automation standards, system reliability, and digital integration across the site.
Requirements
- 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
- Excellent Microsoft Office skills
- Able to work independently while collaborating and communicating cross-functionally
Benefits
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave
- Enhanced Pension Scheme
- Death in Service Benefit
- Free Employee Assistance Programme
- 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!)
- Employee relocation assistance
