Manager III Automation Engineering & Design

Category/Area of Expertise: Distribution & Transportation Leadership
Job Requisition: 375273_external_USA-NC-Salisbury
Address: USA-NC-Salisbury-2110 Executive Drive
Store Code: ADUSA Dist L&D-Executive (5142177)
ADUSA Distribution is the distribution company of Ahold Delhaize USA, providing distribution services to one of the largest grocery retail supply chains in the nation. ADUSA Distribution fosters a culture that inspires and empowers our associates to always deliver exceptional service and value. Our team is supporting the supply chain network evolution to an integrated self-distribution model of the future, serving leading omnichannel grocery brands - Food Lion, Giant Food, The GIANT Company, Hannaford and Stop & Shop. To learn more about our company and the other supply chain companies of Ahold Delhaize USA, visit
Position Summary
The Automation Engineering Manager III will be responsible for leading a diverse team of Engineers and Project Managers that are responsible for the execution of ADUSA's robotics and automation strategy through the design, implementation, and maintenance of best-in-class robotics and advanced automation to enable world class quality and delivery to our customers across the entire network. Additionally, this individual will lead the team responsible for supporting, upgrading, and improving all existing automation and mechanization across the entire supply chain. In this role, the individual will be a day-to-day leader of widespread organization imbedded within individual sites across the network supporting the business needs while designing and delivering complex, highly automated solutions responsible for reducing cost, improving speed, and minimizing facility downtime. This individual will also collaborate with peer leadership groups (e.g. D&T Services, Operations, Finance) within the organization as part of a cohesive strategy supporting the overall company goals and achieving stakeholder buy-in.
Principle Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional and geographically widespread teams to identify, design, and successfully deliver high-profile automation solutions on-time and under budget while managing a capital budget of up to +$100M annually.
• Develop detailed designs and implementation strategy for automation projects across the supply chain that will support and align with the overall vision for ADUSA's supply chain and create supporting narratives.
• Lead the organization in the selection, design, implementation, and maintenance of automation systems and processes.
• Collaborate with leadership and peer organizations in the development and evolution of supply chain strategies and initiatives.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to understand their needs and requirements and ensure that is considered when creating the design.
• Partner with peer organizations to develop business case propositions (benefits, payback, ROI, etc.) for projects.
• Develop and maintain relationships with automation vendors and evaluate new solutions that can drive innovation.
• Act as the owner of support contracts for all robotics, automation, and mechanization within the DC's
• Collaborate with IT and Operations teams to ensure that automation solutions are integrated into the overall technology landscape and processes.
• Lead and direct external vendors in the design, support, and maintenance of all equipment within the facilities.
• Develop, negotiate, and execute vendor contracts and direct any required internal support in doing so.
• Perform research into new technologies within the industry to determine feasibility and impact to the business.
• Provide leadership that will motivate employees and function as an effective promoter of change and growth.
• Provide leadership and support in a constantly changing environment.
• Foster associate engagement, commitment and enthusiasm, ensuring associates understand their role in the company.
• Responsible for the development, talent planning and performance management of associates.
• Maintain relationships with key suppliers and vendors, and leverage economies of scale in negotiation.
• Leads communication with internal and external business partners, and the vendor community.
• Success in this role requires the individual to have and maintain a high degree of organizational and industry credibility.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Highly proficient in AutoCAD (AutoCAD Electrical preferred), Excel, PowerPoint, Visio and other MS Office Products
• Highly proficient and deep working knowledge of the development of engineered labor standards, time and motion studies, project management and project plan development, business case development, capital justification, change management processes, presenting complex data.
• Experience in the design, implementation, commissioning, and maintenance of automation systems; including high volume sortation, conveyor, pick-to-light, ASRS and robotics in a distribution environment required.
• Proficient in the development and interpretation of vendor support contracts to ensure that all scopes of work are completed.
• Technical skills in electrical, mechanical, PLC, WMS/WCS/WES systems and material handling maintenance preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication and team building skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage capital, occupancy, and support budgets as well as provide regular reporting on progress to budget and forecast changes throughout the fiscal year.
• Ability to communicate project scopes, outcomes, and details to all levels of the organization (executive, middle management, individual contributors, and floor associates)
• Skilled at planning, organizing, and directing teams to deliver projects on-time while supporting operational requirements.
• Highly proficient in and proven ability to read, negotiate, and interpret contract language as well as hold vendors accountable for specific deliverables within their scope.
• Ability to keep up with industry trends through seminars, conferences, webinars, and other knowledge transfer events.
• Source vendors for and negotiate scope of work deliverables within vendor contracts (for both services and support)
• Must be flexible with schedule and hours to oversee and respond to the needs of a 24/7 operation.
• Adhere to all regulatory requirements.
• Supervise or manage projects and vendors across multiple sites in fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills; oral & written. Including the ability to comprehend, negotiate, and speak to highly technical documents.
• Ability to think innovatively, communicate effectively, and problem-solve in high-demand environments on tight timelines without oversight or guidance.
• Work needed schedule to perform assigned duties.
• Requires travel - typically 30-40%

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
• Experience with organizational change management
• Demonstrated project management expertise.
• Experience with pricing, logistics, retail operations, supply chain, procurement, automation, and distribution.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of experience in automation and supply chain Engineering roles.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in automation and technology leadership roles.
• Strong financial planning and budgeting experience.
• Cross-functional project leadership experience with a demonstrated ability to build cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated relationship management experience with vendors and third-party consultants.

We are an organization that values diversity and encourages all qualified individuals to apply without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Our organization is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, including applicants. If you have a disability and require assistance in the application process, please email