Senior Manager - AI & Automation

About CRH & 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.  

About the role

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.

Main responsibilites

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.
• A demonstrated ability to lead blended teams and manage strategic partners.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership abilities.
• Track record of staying current with emerging technologies.

Desirable

• Experience with RPA (UiPath), industrial/processing environments, OT data, predictive maintenance, or computer vision.
• A familiarity with large multi‑site organisations.
• A 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.