Lead Industrial Engineer - Supply Chain Operations

Target • Minneapolis, MN

2d • $95,000 - $171,000

About The Position

The Lead Industrial Engineer in Supply Chain Operations is a technical leader responsible for improving business performance through the deployment of Engineered Labor Standards, maintenance of the Labor Management System, and use of Industrial Engineering governance to support process improvements. The role applies operational knowledge and engineering methods—including quantitative analysis, time and motion studies, ELS, Lean principles, Six Sigma, productivity performance results, and field-leader insights—to turn improvements into measurable business results.

A major focus is deploying Engineered Labor Standards and the Labor Management System across multiple supply chain facilities. Work includes validating time studies, XYZ coordinate mapping, vehicle speed testing, configuring standards in the Labor Management System, leading onsite team training, and supporting adoption of new leader and operational routines through change management. The engineer also maintains labor standards in the system and identifies opportunities to reduce operating costs, eliminate waste, and improve productivity.

The role provides engineering guidance, mentorship, and subject matter expertise to operational leaders, engineering teams, and cross-functional partners. It also supports the development, implementation, and sustainment of Engineered Labor Standards, preferred work methods, productivity performance, and the labor management system. The position may be remote or hybrid depending on Target's needs. The team member must be located within commuting distance of a Target Supply Chain facility and a major airport hub, and must be able to travel approximately 80% of the time and/or work at a Target Supply Chain facility up to four days a week.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 3 years of experience as an Industrial Engineer in distribution, fulfillment, manufacturing, logistics, or retail operations; direct field operations experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience using process observation, elemental time analysis, work sampling, cycle time data, and related techniques to assess current-state performance and quantify process loss.
• Experience designing and maintaining Engineered Labor Standards and configuring them into a Labor Management System or platform.
• Ability to develop and validate causal hypotheses using quantitative analysis and direct observation.
• Proficiency in structured problem-solving, including 8-step problem solving, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standardized Work, Visual Management, root cause analysis, and waste identification.
• Ability to analyze process performance and variation using descriptive statistics, segmentation, Pareto analysis, distributions, trend analysis, correlation where appropriate, and before-and-after performance comparisons.
• Project management skills, including scoping, defining problem statements and goals, identifying benefits, planning implementation, and managing timelines.
• Ability to collaborate and build relationships across teams and in cross-functional settings.
• Ability to influence others and advocate for change.
• Strong interpersonal communication, time management, presentation, and organizational skills; ability to handle changing priorities and use good judgment in stressful situations.
• Ability to access all areas of distribution facilities, including mezzanine platforms.
• Enjoys detailed work and communicating updates to leaders at various levels.
• Must be located within commuting distance of a Target Supply Chain facility and a major airport hub.
• Ability to travel approximately 80% of the time and/or work at a Target Supply Chain facility up to four days a week.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience deploying Engineered Labor Standards to supply chain facilities.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or demonstrated equivalent capability.
• Experience with DMAIC, A3, or 8-step structured problem solving.
• Experience analyzing high-volume transactional or operational data.
• Experience with work measurement, labor standards, and engineered labor-management systems.
• Experience scaling large-scale changes across multiple facilities.

Responsibilities

• Deploy Engineered Labor Standards and the Labor Management System across multiple supply chain facilities.
• Conduct time study validations, XYZ coordinate mapping, and vehicle speed testing.
• Configure labor standards in the Labor Management System and perform ongoing maintenance of those standards.
• Lead onsite team trainings and support adoption of new leader and operational routines through change management.
• Identify process improvement opportunities that reduce operating costs, eliminate waste, and improve productivity.
• Apply quantitative analysis, time and motion studies, Lean principles, Six Sigma, productivity performance results, and field-leader insights to achieve measurable business results.
• Provide engineering guidance, mentorship, and subject matter expertise to operational leaders, engineering teams, and cross-functional business partners.
• Support development, implementation, and sustainment of Engineered Labor Standards, preferred work methods, productivity performance, and the labor management system.

Benefits

• Eligible team members and their dependents may receive comprehensive health benefits, including medical, vision, dental, and life insurance.
• 401(k).
• Employee discount.
• Short-term disability.
• Long-term disability.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid national holidays.
• Paid vacation.
• Financial, education, and well-being benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior