Distribution Automation Engineer

Distribution & Automation Engineer

Location: Maple Heights, OH (travel up to 50%)

Position Summary

The Distribution & Automation Engineer drives the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of automation and warehousing processes across Famous distribution centers. Core focus areas include deploying and optimizing advanced systems—most notably the AutoStore automated picking system—along with recommending and implementing new technologies that improve throughput, accuracy, safety, and cost. This role blends hands-on operational work, data-driven engineering, and project leadership with vendors and cross-functional teams. This role will also provide functional leadership to warehouse project team members and provide technical and functional direction to warehouse associates involved in automated systems.

What You’ll Do

Automation & Systems

· Implement, maintain, and optimize automated systems, including AutoStore, warehouse telematics, and related technologies.

· Support configuration and documentation of WMS to optimize operations

· Monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and drive continuous improvement to maximize uptime and throughput.

Process Engineering & Standards

· Develop and maintain SOPs, PM programs, quality checks, and labor standards (e.g., picking, loading, unloading; PvA/EvA).

· Lead Kaizen/5S/Lean events to improve cost, quality, safety, and delivery.

· Conduct time studies and ergonomic risk analyses; document and scale best practices through gap analysis and audits.

Functional Leadership

· Provide daily and weekly functional leadership to other associates including warehouse project team members, warehouse selectors, and others involved in automated systems.

· Work with the warehouse operations leadership team to ensure that operational and safety practices are understood and followed.

· Train associates in best practices related to automated and other warehouse systems.

Layout, Flow & Capacity

· Design and optimize facility layouts, slotting, truck cubing, racking standards (size/weight), and product/labor flows using CAD.

· Identify capacity expansion opportunities and perform feasibility studies and throughput analyses.

Data, Metrics & ROI

· Build and track warehouse KPIs and engineering standards (e.g., cost per unit, throughput, utilization).

· Perform ROI/economic justifications for capital proposals and automation investments; recommend equipment and programs with clear business cases.

· Provide data-driven insights to operations to improve labor utilization, reduce cost, and remove bottlenecks.

Project & Vendor Management

· Scope, plan, and deliver engineering and automation projects from concept through testing and go-live.

· Select and manage vendors; coordinate integration, change management, and training.

· Ensure effective cross-functional communication and readiness across operations, IT, and leadership.

Qualifications

Required

· B.S. in Industrial Engineering, Logistics, or equivalent warehouse/distribution experience.

· Experience with modern WMS and warehouse operations (receiving, selection, replenishment, routing, dispatch).

· Proficiency with AutoCAD (or similar), Microsoft Excel/Word/Project (Access a plus).

· Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills; comfortable in both office and warehouse environments.

· Ability to travel up to 50%.

Preferred

· Experience implementing or optimizing AutoStore or comparable automated picking/ASRS solutions.

· Background in distribution facility/racking layout and design.

· Working knowledge of statistical analysis or operations research.

· Lean/Six Sigma or equivalent continuous improvement experience.

· Experience with Blue Yonder WMS.

What Makes Us Famous!

• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Holidays)
• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
• 401K Employer Match
• Bonus Opportunity
• Strong Culture through our 40 Fundamentals
• Family Atmosphere
• Fitness Reimbursement Program
• Associate Referral Bonus Program
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Leadership Development Program
• Career Growth Opportunities

Famous Supply is a wholesale distributor committed to serving contractors, builders and remodelers in the HVAC, Plumbing, Building Products, Lighting, and Industrial/PVF segments.

Since 1933, Famous has been a family-owned business that treats its associates like family. Our 5 Core Values are Family, Trust, Communication, Teamwork, and Continuous Improvement. We bring those Core Values to life every day by practicing our 40 Fundamentals for Living the Famous Way (https://famous-supply.com/famous-40-fundamentals/)!

To learn more about what makes us Famous, visit Famous-Supply.com!

We continually strive to create a diverse work culture and seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we hire the best, most creative talent on our team. Famous Supply provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, military service, or veteran status, or other legally protected characteristic under federal, state and local law, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

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Client-provided location(s): Cleveland, OH

Job ID: 10281909

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-09-12T23:30:28