Innovation Manager , Middle Mile Eng Programs - Amazon

The role could be based in different sites in the UK, France, or Germany.

The Innovation & Engineering vision is to develop novel end-to-end process-centric and sustainable infrastructure concepts, striving to meet or even exceed current True North. The team is working against ambitious targets concerning All-in TPH, VCPP, space efficiency (shipments per sqm / cbm) and embodied carbon. The team consolidates SMEs to cover complex tasks concerning yard, MHE, UTR processes, container design and sustainability.

Responsibilities encompass designing Yard and UTR infrastructure concepts, governing new builds or retrofits from Building Requirements Sheet to Design Reviews, developing functional requirements with ACES and WWDE, and supporting Procurement for vendor selection. Collaborating with NASC Engineering, the team designs Middle Mile Nodes using infrastructural models derived from analytical work.

Middle Mile Engineering Programs (MMEP) Innovation & Engineering is looking for a process and technical driven Innovation Manager. The role is empowered to challenge status quo and directly influence future infrastructure designs. Process centric solutions for cost optimal and most efficient Material Handling Systems and process equipment are the desired output. A strong cooperation with EU and NA based engineering teams, ACES, Operations and team internal SME are key. Driving continuously innovation and inspiring others to provide novel ideas to meet and exceed the current True North is a key role requirement. A process engineering driven mindset is required, operational understanding in Middle Mile or Last Mile are ideal. Building relationships with above mentioned stakeholders, proven track of meeting and exceeding design KPI driven goals are requirements as well.

The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate relevant experience in designing innovative and groundbreaking material handling systems and processes. These concepts and solutions should aim to exceed industry standards in terms of efficiency, waste reduction, and automation. The candidate will be responsible for developing lean and efficient material handling equipment (MHE) and processes that embody design excellence. The need for such concepts and solutions may arise from site-specific requirements or long-term network optimization initiatives, where a systematic approach is taken to identify and address business needs.

Would you like an opportunity to travel and work in multiple countries and cultures? The role will be based in UK, France or Germany with 25-50% of time traveling across European Middle Mile Nodes and corporate offices.

Key job responsibilities

• Develop novel and process centric material handling system concepts and solutions (processes & MHE) for EU ATS Middle Mile Nodes (MMN) – reflecting Amazon internal and external volume.
• Foster a design excellence design approach starting from business requirements towards optimal costs for new infrastructure that strives to zero process waste.
• Working backwards from True North processes and available data to close the gaps from current to desired state.
• Create Material Flow Diagrams.
• Create concepts and layouts with AutoCAD or similar software at least in 2D.
• Drive design reviews with partners to share ideas and receive feedback.
• Provide data driven process and engineering related advice to the leadership by written narrative business documents.

A day in the life

Starting from the Inbound vehicle and volume profile, indicators of the to be processed volume hourly distribution is available. This is the starting point for process centric design. Working backwards from minimum manual interactions with shipments, the Sr. Innovation Engineer has to create material flow concepts and evaluate them against True North processes, productivity and costs. Together with ACES, WWDE and Finance, the preferred concept has to be presented and aligned with leadership. After concept selection, the Sr. Innovation Engineer drives the concepts further towards a detailed engineering design and a matching process description. During RFC and RFP (Request For Concept / Proposal), the Sr. Innovation Engineer gatekeeps the high quality of the conceptual design and supports during vendor selection. As soon as the firm engineering phase starts, the Sr. Innovation Engineer will hand over the full responsibility of the design to WWDE and TES. However, Sr. Innovation Engineer will consult during firm engineering.

About The Team

Amazon couldn’t deliver at pace without the Amazon Transportation Service (ATS) team. As part of ATS, you’ll be welcomed into a diverse team that plays a central role in our success. Using air, sea and road transport, as well as sortation centres equipped with the latest technology, you’ll help Amazon’s transport run at maximum efficiency. Our team captures data and uses it to drive decisions. They are key to making Amazon more innovative and efficient.

We put safety first as our people are our priority. And we use the expertise of our people to get packages to their destination – quickly, conveniently and sustainably.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (any discipline), Operations, or a related field and proven experience in the specialty.
• Experience with automated material handling equipment, packaging technologies, and systems including robotics and high-speed manufacturing.
• Experience with process design based on Lean Principles.
• Experience in Capital project management.
• Experience with concepts like system architecture, optimization, system dynamics, system analysis, statistical analysis, reliability analysis, and decision making.
• Experience must involve ownership/management of engineering design projects.
• Experience using business/technical software like MS Excel, MS Project, and CAD software.
• Fluency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications are not required to apply for a position at Amazon. If you have all the basic qualifications above, we’d love to hear from you.

• Master’s degree in Engineering (any discipline), 2-5 years Operations, or a related field.
• French, German, Polish, Portuguese, Arabic, Turkish, Afrikaans and Zulu are considered preferred qualifications.

Amazon is an equal opportunities employer. We believe passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We value your passion to discover, invent, simplify and build. Protecting your privacy and the security of your data is a longstanding top priority for Amazon.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers.