Dir Automation and Engineering CoE

DHL Supply Chain•Westerville, OH

2d•$104,000 - $198,000•Onsite

About The Position

Manages execution of automated equipment projects with high automation complexity for new and existing sites across one or more projects and multiple locations within a business unit. The role develops equipment project plans and detailed equipment and software functional designs, plans equipment testing and acceptance, communicates project status to leadership, and coordinates with other DHL functional groups. Significant travel to sites is required. Typical projects involve conveyors, case sorters, shuttle systems, unit sorting, print and apply systems, and warehouse control systems. The director provides technical and operational leadership on automated equipment selection, rates, productivity, cost, layouts, and implementation at distribution centers. The role leads deployment work streams, vendor management, equipment testing, and a small team of on-site process and equipment support engineers. It also supports operations teams in learning and optimizing automated equipment, develops engineering talent, and identifies solutions that meet customer requirements while improving productivity, cycle time, and cost. The role works in a matrix environment and manages external vendors and contractors for engineering and maintenance-related projects.

Requirements

9+ years of experience in relevant equipment implementation.
5+ years of project management experience.
2+ years of experience managing engineering direct reports.
Prior experience implementing automated unit or case handling equipment.
Data analysis using Excel, Access, SQL, and Power BI.
MOST / MTM labor modeling.
CAD for equipment layout.
Excellent verbal and written communication.
Project management skills.
Warehouse control systems (WCS).
Warehouse management systems (WMS).
Leadership and mentoring of a team.
Great organizational skills.
Experience with new distribution center start-ups.

Nice To Haves

1+ years of financial reporting, including capital projects.
Automated equipment business case development.
PLC equipment control.
Barcoding.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and expert guidance to operations and solution design teams on automated equipment types, target rates, productivity, cost, and layout.
Provide equipment and process engineering expertise and leadership at new distribution centers implementing automated material handling equipment.
Lead work streams for deployment of highly automated material handling systems.
Manage automated equipment vendors to ensure equipment and software meet contracted schedules, functionality, rates, and quality requirements.
Lead automated equipment testing across project phases, including functionality and rate testing, warehouse control system software integration and testing, and equipment punch-listing.
Lead project activities including data analysis, business case creation, equipment cost estimating and layout, equipment evaluation, process productivity modeling and estimates, vendor management, equipment flow control design, operations start-up training, and query and report development.
Lead and train on-site process and equipment support engineers, developing their expertise in operating and supporting project-site equipment.
Support distribution center operations teams in learning and optimizing the use of automated equipment.
Stay current on distribution equipment technologies and best practices across sectors.
Develop process and equipment solution options to meet customer requirements, improve productivity, reduce cycle time, and decrease cost.
Partner with multiple functional groups in a matrix environment to deliver customer results.
Select and manage external vendors and contractors for engineering and maintenance-related projects.
Maintain stakeholder alignment through project management and communication.
Train site engineering teams to become experts on installed equipment and develop talent on the automation engineering team.
Perform other duties as assigned.