Operational Excellence Manager — Hybrid

This is a hybrid position requiring the candidate to reside within a commutable driving distance to one of our primary operational sites. While the role offers flexibility, the successful candidate must be able to provide consistent on-site support at our facilities.Candidates must be commutable to one of the following locations: Elgin, IL (Greater Chicago area), Hebron, KY (Greater Cincinnati area), Easton, PA, Perris, CA (Inland Empire area)

Job Summary: 

The primary purpose of this position is to foster Operational Excellence functions at iHerb, including labor management, continuous improvement, and engineering activities.  Candidates will help establish a culture of process improvement in the distribution centers. The Senior Engineer of Operational Excellence will work with his/her direct reports and the Operations teams to improve efficiency, develop, maintain, and track labor standards to reduce costs. The individual’s expertise will also be used to develop and implement regional and national projects and strategies, supporting iHerb's global fulfillment network.

Job Expectations:

Planning and Analysis

• Manage the planning, development, and deployment of supply chain projects.

• Lead supply chain planning efforts, including capacity modeling, network modeling, and capital budgeting.

• Identify capacity impacts to distribution centers associated with varying parameters within the supply chain, ensuring alignment with global inventory placement.

• Assist with transportation optimization initiatives and analyze cost reductions through process improvements.

Distribution Center Design, Automation & Implementation

• Oversee and assist with the design of distribution facilities, including new facilities, facility retrofits, conveyor changes, and other material handling equipment changes.

• Maintain relationships with key automation/material handling vendors.

• Identify and implement design changes that will improve efficiencies, capacity & throughput.

• Design and recommend department layouts and product flows in the distribution center, incorporating sustainability and energy-efficiency goals.

Continuous Improvement & Labor Management

• Develop preferred methods/standard operating procedures for the warehouse in conjunction with operational support.

• Implement and support a labor management program and software configuration.

• Develop and maintain multi-variable labor standards utilizing modern WMS (Warehouse Management System) data.

• Troubleshoot Labor Management System and interface issues(as needed).

• Lead the engineering team to identify, define, and implement process improvement opportunities.

• Introduce and adapt improvement methodologies as appropriate to drive change (ex., Lean or Six Sigma).

• Address all aspects of change, including people, processes, systems, and equipment.

Management of Team Members

• Manage direct reports, systems, and projects to achieve unit goals in accordance with company policies and practices.

• Create an effective work environment by developing a common vision, setting clear objectives, expecting teamwork, recognizing outstanding performance, and maintaining open communication.

• Guides others in resolving complex issues in own specialized area and solves complex problems with implication on cross-functional business processes and outcomes.

• Serves as an expert within own discipline.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Analytical & Leadership: Analytical, planning and organizing, sound judgment, decision making, and leadership skills required. Proven project management/leadership skills.

• Systems & Automation: Experience with work measurement & performance management programs, conveyor design and optimization, large project management, and warehouse systems.

• Technical Proficiency: Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office products with an emphasis in Excel and Access. Proficient with AutoCAD.

• Automation Maintenance: Expertise in maintaining & troubleshooting conveyor systems (e.g,. sensors & controls). Experience with WMS integration, Dematic, and Bastian WCS is desired.

• Labor Management: Experience with labor reporting systems. Proficient at utilizing labor data to cost-justify capital expenditure and process change ROI.

• Process Improvement: Ability to analyze and provide solutions for cost reduction through process improvements and cost/benefit analysis. Ability to drive process improvements and work within a team to resolve problems.

• Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills, professional attitude, and approach (and the ability to interact with individuals at various levels of the organization, up and down).

• Safety & Ergonomics: Able to conduct ergonomic evaluations, recommending and implementing improvements to work area designs.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial or Mechanical engineering; Master's degree a plus

Experience Requirements:

• Generally requires a minimum of ten (10) plus years of experience as an engineer in retail and/or e-commerce distribution.

• Lean/Six Sigma certification desired.

Judgment/Reasoning Ability:  

• Able to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve problems quickly using sound judgment, poise, and diplomacy.

• Ability to use judgment and reasoning skills, and determine when to escalate issues, as required,on time.

Physical Demands & Work Environment 

• Physical: While performing the duties of this job, the team member may be required to be on their feet for several hours a day, performing process observations or collecting data for labor standards.

• Environment: The noise in the work environment is usually moderate. Factors include: Hectic, fast-paced with multi-level distractions; Professional, yet casual work environment; Warehouse environment.

• Travel: Special Requirements: Multi-site responsibility. Some travel is required, averaging roughly 20-30%.