Senior Manager AI & Automation

Solihull
2 days ago
Create job alert

About CRH and Tarmac

CRH is a global leader in building materials solutions, and Tarmac is a leading sustainable building materials and construction solutions business in the UK.This role offers an exciting opportunity to drive transformational change through artificial intelligence and automation technologies.

Tarmac is seeking a visionary Senior Manager - AI & Automation to lead the strategy, delivery, and governance of Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, and RPA across our UK operations.This is a senior, high‑impact role driving measurable value, operational excellence, and industry leadership as we transform how we work through intelligent technologies.

About the Role

In this role you'll:

Shape and Deliver the AI Strategy

Identify, prioritise, and deliver AI opportunities across plant optimisation, predictive maintenance, computer vision, logistics, forecasting, sustainability, and quality.
Lead end‑to‑end delivery of AI solutions—from idea and prototyping to production and business‑as‑usual service.
Define value metrics and ensure every initiative delivers measurable ROI.
Maximise enterprise platforms such as Microsoft Copilot, Multiply by CRH, SAP Joule, and Salesforce Einstein.
Track emerging AI technologies and position Tarmac as an industry leader.Build Enterprise AI & Automation Capability

Develop and operate AI delivery frameworks: LLMOps, model evaluation, monitoring, RAG, and integration architecture.
Create AI reference architectures, quality standards, and assurance processes including red‑teaming and model drift detection.
Oversee secure OT/IT integration to unlock value from plant, quarry, and IoT data.Strengthen Data, Governance & Responsible AI

Own the AI readiness roadmap including data governance, MDM, security, and enterprise knowledge architecture.
Lead AI FinOps: cost controls, usage telemetry, optimisation, and ROI analysis.
Implement governance aligned to CRH standards, NIST, Cyber Essentials, SOx, ISO/IEC 42001 and data protection requirements.
Ensure safe, transparent, explainable AI with robust controls for agentic systems.Scale Capability & Adoption

Build a blended delivery model of internal experts and specialist partners.
Develop workforce plans for AI product managers, engineers, knowledge engineers, risk specialists, and UX roles.
Lead change, adoption, training, and enablement—including role‑based training and AI champions.
Manage RPA strategy and delivery, ensuring alignment with AI governance and value measurement.Lead Collaboration & Partnerships

Work closely with CRH Group and international partners to leverage global capability.
Partner across IT, Cyber, Compliance, Data and business functions to deliver integrated, secure solutions.
Build strong relationships with suppliers, innovation networks, and academia.Experience & qualifications

To be successful in this role you'll need:

A proven ability to deliver business value from AI or advanced analytics with measurable ROI.
Experience leading AI solutions from concept to production and BAU.
A developed understanding of AI platforms, LLMOps/GenAIOps, governance, cyber security, and regulatory requirements (NIST, Cyber Essentials, SOx).
To be skilled in data governance, enterprise AI platforms, and scaling innovation into operational services.
Demonstrated ability to lead blended teams and manage strategic partners.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership abilities.
A track record of staying current with emerging technologies.Desirable

Experience with RPA (UiPath), industrial/processing environments, OT data, predictive maintenance, or computer vision.
Familiarity with CRH or large multi‑site organisations.
Knowledge of RAG, agentic AI, enterprise AI tools, and ISO/IEC 42001.Qualifications

A degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Business or equivalent experience.
Relevant certifications (AI/ML, data, project management, cyber security) are beneficial.Why Tarmac

We don't just offer a job, we offer a career.

Alongside this role, you'll have access to industry-leading rewards, development opportunities, and a culture that puts people first, including:

Bonus scheme
Enhanced holiday entitlement
Contributory pension scheme
Access to the Tarmac Reward website with discounts on retailers, holidays, etc.
Access to our Employee Assistance helpline for free and confidential advice
Access to join our Employee Communities (employee networks) we currently have nine communities inc.(REACH) Religious, Ethnic, Cultural Heritage, LGBTQ+, Parents & carers, Ability, Wellbeing, Female voice and menopause
Training and development opportunitiesWe’re proud to be part of CRH, and even prouder to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone.If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know, we’re here to support you.

Ready to build your future?

Click ‘Apply’ to get started. Please note: we sometimes close roles early due to high interest, so don’t wait too long!

#Tarmac #TarmacCareers

Tarmac Trading Limited

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Technology Resilience Architect

Legal Technologist

Head of Geo-Intelligence & Earth Observation

AI Systems Architect

Senior Manager Software Engineering

Software Engineering Senior Manager

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Space Sector Job Applications (UK Guide)

The space industry is one of the most exciting and multidisciplinary sectors in technology and engineering today. Whether you’re applying for roles in spacecraft design, aerospace systems, robotics, satellite communications, mission operations, payload engineering, space software, ground systems, or scientific research, your application must quickly show hiring managers that you are relevant, technically credible and ready to deliver. In the UK space jobs market — spanning organisations from startups to defence primes, agencies, research labs and commercial constellations — hiring managers do not read every word of your CV. They scan applications rapidly, often making a judgement about whether to read further within the first 10–20 seconds. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers look for first in space sector applications, how they assess CVs and portfolios, why specific signals matter, and how you can position your experience to stand out on www.ukspacejobs.co.uk .

The Skills Gap in UK Space Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

The UK space sector is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing high-tech industries in the world. From Earth observation and satellite communications to space robotics, launch systems and deep-space exploration, the breadth of opportunity is enormous. The UK Government’s ambition to capture a significant share of the global space economy has driven investment, policy support and a wave of innovative companies — both established and start-up. Yet despite strong academic programmes and a pipeline of graduates with relevant degrees, employers in the UK space sector consistently report a persistent problem: Many graduates are not prepared for real-world space industry jobs. This is not a matter of intelligence or motivation. Rather, it reflects a growing skills gap between what universities are teaching and what employers actually need from space professionals. In this article, we’ll explore why that gap exists, what universities are doing well, where they fall short, what employers want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build thriving careers in the UK space sector.

UK Space Jobs for Career Switchers in Their 30s, 40s & 50s (UK Reality Check)

The UK space sector is no longer a niche reserved for astronauts and rocket scientists. It is a broad, fast-growing industry covering satellites, Earth observation, navigation, telecoms, space data, launch services, space sustainability and defence-related capability. That breadth creates genuine career opportunities for professionals switching careers in their 30s, 40s or 50s — especially in roles where delivery, quality, operations, safety, regulation and customer outcomes matter as much as pure engineering. This article gives you a UK reality check: what space jobs actually look like, which roles are realistic for career switchers, what skills UK employers value, how long retraining tends to take and whether age is a barrier (usually far less than people fear).