Director - Automation

Wesco • Cranbury, NJ

4d

About The Position

As the Director – Automation, you will be responsible for supporting and implementing Wesco’s Operations Engineering strategy by identifying and developing data-driven automation use cases that enhance safety, productivity, and cost efficiency across the distribution network. You will apply a strong understanding of warehouse and distribution operations to design practical, effective automation solutions that deliver measurable business value. You will also lead automation opportunity development and business case creation within the strategic framework and investment priorities established by senior leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelors Degree – Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management or related field required
• 10 years of experience in warehouse or distribution center operations, including exposure to automation, material flow, or process improvement
• Demonstrated ability to translate operational challenges into engineered automation opportunities
• Proven experience developing business cases and evaluating return on investment for technology-enabled process improvements
• Familiarity with warehouse automation technologies (e.g., AMR, GTP, AutoStore, conveyor systems) and supporting software (WMS, WES, WCS)
• Deep understanding of warehouse operations and fulfillment processes.
• Knowledge of automation and robotics technologies
• Strong analytical and ROI modeling capabilities
• Systems integration proficiency (WMS, LMS, TMS, ERP)
• Cross-functional leadership and change management
• Hands-on problem solving and solutioning for technical challenges
• Ability to travel 25% - 50%

Nice To Haves

• Masters Degree - MBA preferred
• Expertise in specialized automation (e.g., cable spooling, bundling)

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate automation opportunities that align with defined network and engineering strategies.
• Develop project scopes and business cases, and support implementation teams in achieving defined objectives.
• Develop detailed use cases that describe the problem statement, operational requirements, and projected business benefits of potential automation solutions.
• Conduct feasibility studies, process mapping, and financial modeling (ROI, payback, total cost of ownership) to support business case development.
• Partner with Industrial Engineering, Facility Design, and Implementation teams to ensure alignment between automation concepts, layouts, and process design.
• Provide analytical input to project planning, technology assessments, and vendor proposals as directed.
• Participate in proof-of-concept evaluations and technical reviews for approved projects.
• Monitor post-implementation performance metrics and provide recommendations for optimization and continuous improvement.
• Maintain centralized documentation of automation concepts, approved use cases, and project performance data.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees