Lead Engineer - Automation
Apply NowCompany: Kenco
Location: Dallas, TX 75217
Description:
About the Position
This role is responsible for applying industry best practices and a structured approach to optimize and standardize how Kenco designs, deploys and implements automation solutions across our operations.
Lead Engineers are in a co-managed environment with Operational leaders, setting the overall project priorities to deliver value to customer networks through a technology / systems solution. The position will address business and technical needs related to Kenco's platform of systems, serving the warehousing / logistics industry as we complete the initial implementation at our operational sites. This position should be comfortable with collaborative approach to project management and be willing to work toward consensus, agreement/alignment.
Functions
Mentor and train junior level Automation Design and Implementation Engineers
May mentor and guide up to 3 engineers
Work with clients to understand business requirements, budgets and staffing needs
Typically lead the design & implementation projects of medium complexity
Provide guidance to junior engineers to deliver quality designs and successful implementations
Lead the design and implementation automation solutions such as Conveyors, AMR, ASRS, etc., by working third party vendors, automation integrators, Solutions Design, IT, and Operations teams
Establish critical KPI specific to the deployed automation solution
Develop a cadence of reporting and analysis to provide visibility of deployment and performance of automation solutions
Works with internal stakeholders to ensure operational team is trained on technologies being implemented
Works with vendors and integrators to ensure functional requirements are met per SOW and design specifications
Develops reporting and dashboards for selected robotics and automation packages
Develops automation capacity plans
Develop playbooks and standard work for automation solutions
Work with Data Science and BI and Marketing teams to develop required marketing collateral
Build reporting as a storytelling tool - allowing stakeholders to digest insights quickly and to drive action
Lead LMS (Labor Management System) integration efforts with WCS (Warehouse Control System) and WMS (Warehouse Management System)
Develop best practices and cost reduction activities
Track value (Value Creation Index, or VCI) created from all assigned projects
Align the organization around lean principles and drive establishment of lean systems in all areas through use of Hoshin planning activities
Ensure that the correct tools be utilized to solve the most important problems affecting our customer's satisfaction, quality, cost, and delivery.
Utilize lean and six sigma methodologies to reduce waste and variation within the operation
Understand Solutions design, Financial model, and Contract Pricing
Write business requirement documents and support Requests for Proposal (RFPs)
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Industrial or Logistics Engineering or related discipline
7-10 years of applied experience in a distribution setting (or 3PL) or a Master's degree with 5 years of experience
Lean Six Sigma Certification required
cPMP, ISO/QMS, American Production Inventory Control Society (APICS) and/or Supply Chain Logistics Certifications preferred
Understanding and experience in core engineering and data analysis functions (slotting, utilization, labor planning, layouts, metrics, etc.) and warehouse design tools such as CAD (e.g. AutoCAD); slotting (e.g. Slot3D), Predetermined Motion and Time Systems and methods (e.g. MOST); Warehouse Management Systems (e.g. Manhattan Scale), and Labor Mgt. Systems. Advanced/Preferred
Microsoft Office Suite expert with emphasis on Access, Excel and PowerPoint & Visio required
Intermediate Data visualization (PowerBI, Tableau) and database programming (SQL, DAX, etc.) knowledge preferred
Effective interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
Ability to create and maintain professional relationships within all levels of the organization (peers, work groups, customers, supervisors)
Ability to work independently and as a leader or member of a team
Flexibility to operate and self-driven to excel in a fast-paced environment
Ability to lead cross-functional and complex CI projects from beginning to sustained results
Capable of multi-tasking, highly organized, with excellent time management skills required
Experience with change management development and execution
Demonstrated experience in applying Lean Six Sigma process improvement methods with evidence of results
Demonstrated ability to effectively analyze data to identify trends, performance results, and opportunities for improvement
Competencies
Business Acumen - Knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, technology, and information affecting his/her business and organization
Communicate for Impact - Devoting the time and resources necessary to communicate the strategic vision, direction, priorities, and progress of the team for which you are responsible
Leading People - Ability to develop and implement strategies to maximize employee performance and foster employee engagement in meeting the organization's strategy
Managing Transitions/ Change Management - Effectively plans, manages and communicates changes in processes with appropriate stakeholders
Relationship Management - Building and maintaining relationships with internal partners to successfully complete projects and organizational objectives.
Strategic Agility - Gains perspective and balances the pressure between daily tasks and strategic actions that impact the long-term viability of the organization
Travel Requirements
For California residents - please enter or copy/paste the address below into your address bar to review an important notice regarding Kenco's privacy policy.
Benefits offered:
Kenco strives to provide a supportive, professional environment for all employees. As a part of Kenco, we expect our team to uphold our three key pillars: be honest, serve, and get better. Each should strive for operational excellence, pursue innovation, and want to grow with our company.
Kenco Group is an Equal-Opportunity Employer. All employees and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please click the image to download the EEOC 'Know Your Rights; Discrimination is Illegal' posting.
https://www.eeoc.gov/poster
#LIREMOTE
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
This role is responsible for applying industry best practices and a structured approach to optimize and standardize how Kenco designs, deploys and implements automation solutions across our operations.
Lead Engineers are in a co-managed environment with Operational leaders, setting the overall project priorities to deliver value to customer networks through a technology / systems solution. The position will address business and technical needs related to Kenco's platform of systems, serving the warehousing / logistics industry as we complete the initial implementation at our operational sites. This position should be comfortable with collaborative approach to project management and be willing to work toward consensus, agreement/alignment.
Functions
Mentor and train junior level Automation Design and Implementation Engineers
May mentor and guide up to 3 engineers
Work with clients to understand business requirements, budgets and staffing needs
Typically lead the design & implementation projects of medium complexity
Provide guidance to junior engineers to deliver quality designs and successful implementations
Lead the design and implementation automation solutions such as Conveyors, AMR, ASRS, etc., by working third party vendors, automation integrators, Solutions Design, IT, and Operations teams
Establish critical KPI specific to the deployed automation solution
Develop a cadence of reporting and analysis to provide visibility of deployment and performance of automation solutions
Works with internal stakeholders to ensure operational team is trained on technologies being implemented
Works with vendors and integrators to ensure functional requirements are met per SOW and design specifications
Develops reporting and dashboards for selected robotics and automation packages
Develops automation capacity plans
Develop playbooks and standard work for automation solutions
Work with Data Science and BI and Marketing teams to develop required marketing collateral
Build reporting as a storytelling tool - allowing stakeholders to digest insights quickly and to drive action
Lead LMS (Labor Management System) integration efforts with WCS (Warehouse Control System) and WMS (Warehouse Management System)
Develop best practices and cost reduction activities
Track value (Value Creation Index, or VCI) created from all assigned projects
- Ensure warehouse flow, conduct zoning and slotting assessments, profile analysis etc.
- Conduct process observations and time-motion studies, line balancing, one-piece flow simulation analysis, zoning/slotting, profile analysis, takt time methods, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), process mapping, Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), Process Capability and performance (Cp/Cpk), exploratory data analysis, hypothesis testing, process improvement methods, waste analysis (Value Added vs Non-Value Added activities, VA-NVA), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Control Charting, and Control Planning
Align the organization around lean principles and drive establishment of lean systems in all areas through use of Hoshin planning activities
Ensure that the correct tools be utilized to solve the most important problems affecting our customer's satisfaction, quality, cost, and delivery.
Utilize lean and six sigma methodologies to reduce waste and variation within the operation
Understand Solutions design, Financial model, and Contract Pricing
Write business requirement documents and support Requests for Proposal (RFPs)
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Industrial or Logistics Engineering or related discipline
7-10 years of applied experience in a distribution setting (or 3PL) or a Master's degree with 5 years of experience
Lean Six Sigma Certification required
cPMP, ISO/QMS, American Production Inventory Control Society (APICS) and/or Supply Chain Logistics Certifications preferred
Understanding and experience in core engineering and data analysis functions (slotting, utilization, labor planning, layouts, metrics, etc.) and warehouse design tools such as CAD (e.g. AutoCAD); slotting (e.g. Slot3D), Predetermined Motion and Time Systems and methods (e.g. MOST); Warehouse Management Systems (e.g. Manhattan Scale), and Labor Mgt. Systems. Advanced/Preferred
Microsoft Office Suite expert with emphasis on Access, Excel and PowerPoint & Visio required
Intermediate Data visualization (PowerBI, Tableau) and database programming (SQL, DAX, etc.) knowledge preferred
Effective interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
Ability to create and maintain professional relationships within all levels of the organization (peers, work groups, customers, supervisors)
Ability to work independently and as a leader or member of a team
Flexibility to operate and self-driven to excel in a fast-paced environment
Ability to lead cross-functional and complex CI projects from beginning to sustained results
Capable of multi-tasking, highly organized, with excellent time management skills required
Experience with change management development and execution
Demonstrated experience in applying Lean Six Sigma process improvement methods with evidence of results
Demonstrated ability to effectively analyze data to identify trends, performance results, and opportunities for improvement
Competencies
Business Acumen - Knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, technology, and information affecting his/her business and organization
Communicate for Impact - Devoting the time and resources necessary to communicate the strategic vision, direction, priorities, and progress of the team for which you are responsible
Leading People - Ability to develop and implement strategies to maximize employee performance and foster employee engagement in meeting the organization's strategy
Managing Transitions/ Change Management - Effectively plans, manages and communicates changes in processes with appropriate stakeholders
Relationship Management - Building and maintaining relationships with internal partners to successfully complete projects and organizational objectives.
Strategic Agility - Gains perspective and balances the pressure between daily tasks and strategic actions that impact the long-term viability of the organization
Travel Requirements
- This position is expected to travel approximately 50% - 75%.
- A passport is not required but recommended.
For California residents - please enter or copy/paste the address below into your address bar to review an important notice regarding Kenco's privacy policy.
Benefits offered:
- Medical insurance including HSA, HRA and FSA accounts
- Supplemental insurance including critical illness, hospital indemnity, accidental injury
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Basic Life and Supplemental Life
- Short Term and Long Term Disability
- Paid Parental Leave
- 401(k)
- Paid Time Off approximately 2 weeks (accrual begins on Day 1 of employment)
- Employer Paid Holidays- 10 days
Kenco strives to provide a supportive, professional environment for all employees. As a part of Kenco, we expect our team to uphold our three key pillars: be honest, serve, and get better. Each should strive for operational excellence, pursue innovation, and want to grow with our company.
Kenco Group is an Equal-Opportunity Employer. All employees and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please click the image to download the EEOC 'Know Your Rights; Discrimination is Illegal' posting.
https://www.eeoc.gov/poster
#LIREMOTE
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)