Assistant Manager - Distribution Center

Apparel Group - UAE; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Apparel Group - UAE is seeking an experienced Automation Operations Manager to oversee daily automated system operations within its distribution facility in the UAE. You will lead engineers and technicians, coordinate maintenance, and drive uptime and performance KPIs.

Responsibilities include planning automation upgrades, coordinating with IT and OEMs, and ensuring safety and compliance across all automated areas. Strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in warehouse automation or engineering roles
• 2–3 years in a supervisory or assistant managerial capacity
• Hands-on experience with warehouse automation systems, PLCs, HMI, SCADA
• Strong understanding of material handling equipment, layouts, and automation metrics
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics or Industrial Engineering; automation certifications preferred
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of automated systems such as conveyors, sorters, AS/RS, and robotics within the distribution facility.
• Ensure system availability and performance meets operational KPIs (uptime, throughput, cycle time).
• Monitor and coordinate with operations and maintenance teams to minimize downtime and disruptions.
• Lead and mentor automation engineers, supervisors, and technicians to ensure high standards of technical competency and productivity.
• Assist in planning and execution of new automation initiatives and upgrades with DC Engineering and IT teams.
• Contribute to testing, commissioning, and validation of new equipment and software integrations.
• Coordinate with OEMs, contractors, and consultants for project execution and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations; lead root-cause analyses and safety audits.
• Prepare regular reports on equipment performance, maintenance KPIs, downtime, and project progress.
• Maintain SOPs and risk assessments for all automated areas.
• Provide insights and recommendations to senior management for system enhancements and cost optimizations

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Maintenance planning

Team coordination

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Industrial Engineering

Automation certifications (preferred)

Tools

PLC

HMI

SCADA

Industrial control systems

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Key Responsibility:

Automation Operations Management

• Oversee daily operations of automated systems such as conveyors, sorters, AS/RS, and robotics within the distribution facility.

• Ensure system availability and performance meets operational KPIs (uptime, throughput, cycle time, etc.).

• Monitor and coordinate with operations and maintenance teams to minimize downtime and disruptions.

Preventive & Corrective Maintenance

• Supervise the implementation of preventive maintenance schedules for all automation equipment.

• Ensure timely resolution of technical issues by coordinating with internal teams and third-party vendors.

• Analyze recurring faults and drive corrective actions to avoid future failures.

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Lead and mentor automation engineers, supervisors, and technicians to ensure high standards of technical competency and productivity.

• Assign tasks and monitor progress to ensure timely and accurate completion of maintenance and improvement projects.

• Support training and skill development of the technical team on new systems and safety practices.

Project Execution & System Upgrades

• Assist in planning and execution of new automation initiatives and upgrades in collaboration with the DC Engineering and IT teams.

• Contribute to testing, commissioning, and validation of new equipment and software integrations.

• Coordinate with OEMs, contractors, and consultants for project execution and documentation.

Compliance & Safety Standards

• Ensure that all automation systems operate in compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.

• Lead root-cause analysis and safety audits related to automated processes and implement corrective measures.

• Maintain SOPs and risk assessments for all automated areas.

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare regular reports on equipment performance, maintenance KPIs, downtime incidents, and project progress.

• Maintain updated documentation of equipment manuals, logs, and system configurations.

• Provide insights and recommendations to senior management for system enhancements and cost optimizations
  DESIRED EXPERIENCE

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• 5-7 years of experience in warehouse automation or engineering roles, with at least 2-3 years in a supervisory or assistant managerial capacity.

• Hands-on experience with warehouse automation systems, PLCs, HMI, SCADA, and industrial control systems.

• Strong understanding of material handling equipment, warehouse layouts, and automation performance metrics.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Industrial Engineering certifications in automation systems or lean operations preferred.

• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills