Project Manager - Warehouse Automation

THG Ingenuity · Manchester

About THG Ingenuity

THG Ingenuity is a proprietary Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology, robotics, and operations platform built for global ecommerce. Developed through more than two decades of operating ecommerce and retail services at scale, its software and automation capabilities have been engineered, tested, and refined through the real-world demands of managing complex commerce operations. Today, THG Ingenuity provides an integrating operating environment that enables brands to intelligently optimise the entire commerce lifecycle from browsing and checkout to AI inventory management and forecasting, automated fulfilment, carrier control, and customer experience. The platform comprises:

THG Fulfil: The fulfilment operating system for global ecommerce. Delivered via a proprietary SaaS and Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, THG Fulfil orchestrates every stage of checkout, fulfilment, delivery, and customer experience through an integrated system.

THG Studios: The UK's most innovative creative hub, helping brands create content that connects, experiences that engage, and IP that scales, all from its end-to-end, in-house facilities.

THG Commerce: A cloud-native technology stack enabling retailers and brands to create intelligent, AI-powered, digital shopping experiences, while integrated marketplace and social commerce functionality allows brands to reach customers across every sales channel

With its expertise in building and scaling brands, THG Ingenuity is uniquely positioned to bring pertinent, pragmatic, and global know-how across all aspects of commerce.

Role Purpose

The Automation Project Manager is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of warehouse automation projects, from initial concept development and solution design through procurement, installation, commissioning, testing and operational handover.

The role will manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery within agreed timescales, budgets and quality standards, while maintaining high levels of health and safety, stakeholder engagement and technical compliance.

Working closely with internal engineering, IT, operations, procurement and commercial teams, alongside external technology providers, integrators and principal contractors, the Automation Project Manager will ensure that automation solutions are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with business and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Management and Delivery

Take ownership of automation projects from initiation through to final handover and project close-out.
Develop and maintain detailed project plans, programmes, milestones and resource forecasts.
Manage project scope, budgets, expenditure, risks, dependencies and change control.
Coordinate multiple workstreams to ensure delivery against agreed deadlines and commercial commitments.
Identify programme delays and delivery risks, implementing corrective actions and escalating issues where necessary.
Lead regular project meetings, producing progress reports and communicating project status to key stakeholders.
Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with agreed specifications, contractual requirements and business objectives.

2. Warehouse Automation and Technology

Manage the implementation of automated fulfilment technologies, including:

AutoStore robotic storage and retrieval systems.
AMRs, AGVs and goods-to-person robotics.
Conveyor systems, sortation and material handling equipment.
Automated packing, carton handling and labelling solutions.
Warehouse control systems (WCS), warehouse management systems (WMS) and system integrations.

Coordinate suppliers and integrators throughout design, manufacture, installation and commissioning.
Review technical drawings, layouts, equipment specifications and installation methodologies.
Ensure automation equipment and software integrate effectively with existing warehouse infrastructure and operational processes.
Support technical reviews, design approvals, factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT).

3. Installation, Commissioning and Go-Live

Coordinate site mobilisation, construction activities, equipment installation and commissioning programmes.
Manage interfaces between automation suppliers, building contractors, electrical and mechanical contractors, IT teams and operational stakeholders.
Ensure equipment installation is completed in accordance with approved designs, relevant standards and manufacturer requirements.
Develop and manage testing plans, including system integration testing, end-to-end testing and operational readiness activities.
Coordinate defect management, snagging, performance testing and final acceptance.
Lead go-live planning, operational handover and hypercare support.
Ensure all project documentation, operating manuals, training materials and maintenance requirements are completed before handover.

4. Commercial and Financial Management

Manage project budgets, purchase orders, supplier costs and expenditure forecasts.
Monitor project costs against approved business cases and identify potential cost savings.
Review supplier quotations, variations, change requests and claims.
Challenge supplier performance and ensure contractual obligations are met.
Maintain accurate cost reporting, including committed expenditure, forecast final costs and financial risks.
Support procurement and commercial teams with supplier selection, tender evaluations and contract negotiations.

5. Stakeholder and Supplier Management

Build effective working relationships with customers, internal stakeholders, technology partners and contractors.
Act as the primary project contact for assigned automation projects.
Manage supplier performance against programme, quality, safety and commercial expectations.
Coordinate engineering, operations, IT, procurement, facilities and health and safety teams.
Communicate project risks, decisions and progress clearly to senior management and customers.
Lead project review meetings and ensure actions are completed within agreed timescales.

6. Health, Safety and Quality

Ensure health and safety requirements are embedded throughout project delivery.
Work with principal contractors and site management teams to ensure safe working practices and compliance with applicable legislation.
Review risk assessments, method statements, permits to work and construction phase requirements where applicable.
Monitor site standards, housekeeping, installation quality and contractor compliance.
Ensure appropriate testing, inspections, certifications and technical documentation are completed.
Proactively identify and resolve safety, quality and compliance issues.

7. Continuous Improvement and Operational Performance

Identify opportunities to improve project delivery methods, installation efficiency and commissioning processes.
Capture lessons learned and implement improvements across future projects.
Support operational teams in achieving agreed throughput, productivity, availability and reliability targets.
Work with engineering and software teams to resolve technical issues and optimise system performance.
Promote standardisation, best practice and effective knowledge sharing across the automation project portfolio.

Key Skills and Experience

Essential

Proven experience delivering automation, engineering, material handling or capital equipment projects.
Strong project management skills, including programme planning, budgeting, risk management and change control.
Experience managing external suppliers, contractors and multidisciplinary project teams.
Good understanding of mechanical, electrical and controls engineering interfaces.
Experience with equipment installation, commissioning, testing and operational handover.
Strong commercial awareness and the ability to manage project costs and supplier performance.
Excellent communication, organisation, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver projects within challenging timescales.
Willingness to travel to UK project sites as required.

Desirable

Experience with AutoStore, AMRs, AGVs, conveyor systems, sortation or goods-to-person technologies.
Knowledge of warehouse management and warehouse control systems, including WMS/WCS integrations.
Experience in e-commerce, retail distribution, third-party logistics or automated fulfilment centres.
Relevant project management qualifications, such as PRINCE2, APM or PMP.
Knowledge of CDM Regulations, construction site coordination and contractor management.
Experience with FAT, SAT, systems integration testing and high-volume operational go-lives.

THG Ingenuity is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you are invited to interview, please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to the recruitment process that will enable you to perform to the best of your ability.

THG Ingenuity is committed to creating a diverse & inclusive environment and hence welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Because of the high volumes of applications our opportunities attract, it sometimes takes us time to review and consider them all. We endeavour to respond to every application we receive within 14 days. If you haven't heard from us within that time frame or should you have any specific questions about this or other applications for positions at THG Ingenuity please contact one of our Talent team to discuss further.

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