DC Automation & Optimization Lead

Woolworths Group; Greater Dandenong; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team discounts across Woolworths Group

Competitive remuneration

Job summary

Primary Connect is seeking a Senior Automation Leader to oversee storage and order processing automation, ensuring performance, reliability and throughput while guiding a team of technical specialists and vendor partners. You will develop system performance metrics, lead RCFA and telemetry analysis, and drive continuous improvement across processing equipment, control systems and workflows.

This role sits within Woolworths Group and offers a collaborative culture, strong career progression and a

Qualifications

• Experience leading technical/reliability/engineering teams in large-scale fulfilment or manufacturing.
• Proven vendor/contractor management track record.
• Experience driving continuous improvement in a complex matrix environment.
• Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving with advanced Excel/Sheets modelling.
• Leadership to optimise team performance and development.

Responsibilities

• Ensure automation equipment performs to throughput and capacity requirements.
• Lead supplier relationships and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Plan and budget to meet yearly throughput, efficiency targets.
• Track and report reliability and operational metrics (OEE, MTBF, MTTR).
• Lead RCFA and telemetry data analysis to prevent recurring failures.
• Guide operations team on optimal setup and technical aspects.
• Liaise with internal/external stakeholders to optimise processing equipment.
• Develop and document work instructions and SOPs.

Skills

Leadership

Vendor management

Continuous improvement

Analytical skills

Excel modelling

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Tools

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

• Work with the world's leading site automation, systems &robotic technology
• High profile role to lead the overall automation equipment performance and optimisation

With end-to-end responsibility including functionality, reliability, system performance and improvement, you will lead a team of technical specialists and vendor partners to cultivate a culture of teamwork, inclusion and high performance.

Welcome to Primary Connect

Primary Connect is the most extensive food and retail supply chain network in Australia and New Zealand. Our 10,000-strong team are an essential part of the expansive Woolworths Group, which encompasses Woolworths Supermarkets and Metro stores, BIG W, Countdown NZ, Quantium, and more. With us, your possibilities are not limited to a single opportunity.

We’re delivering to more than 3,000 retail stores every day (stores like Woolworths, BIG W, Dan Murphy’s, and BWS), but at Primary Connect, we’re more than just a supply chain business. We’re a big team, but every individual plays a pivotal role and leaves a distinctive impact.

Our extensive reach opens up boundless opportunities for learning, growth, and professional development. By raising your hand, fostering relationships, and seizing the moment, you can take control of your own unique path.

What you’ll do

• Ensure that automation (storage and order processing equipment) is performing in line with functional outcomes, capabilities, and throughput/capacity requirements, including developing system performance metrics.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives through the leadership of supplier relationships, improved operational practices, and, where appropriate, business process changes that enhance safety, customer satisfaction, and efficiency.
• Implement ongoing planning and budgeting processes to ensure the automation equipment continues to meet the business’s required throughput, efficiency, capacity, and functional outcomes year on year.
• Track, analyse, and report critical reliability and operational metrics (OEE, TPM, MTBF, MTTR, Availability)
• Spearhead Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) and telemetry data analysis to systematically eliminate recurring failures and enhance facility automation capability
• Lead a team of technical specialists, and guiding the operations team in the optimal setup and technical aspects the operational
• Liaise with internal and external technical stakeholders in the ongoing optimisation and enhancement of the processing equipment, control systems and system functionality.
• Develop and document complex work instructions, SOPs, and processes.

What you’ll bring

• Previous experience in leading technical / reliability / engineering teams and functions in large scale order fulfilment, manufacturing or continuous processing environment, or similar.
• Proven track record of service provider / vendor / contractor management.
• A track record of driving continuous improvement and delivering results in a complex, matrix environment.
• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving capabilities with advanced knowledge of Excel/Google Sheets and modelling.
• Deep understanding of process, material flows, optimisation and enhancement of processing equipment and technical processes, cause-and-effect, and system strategy
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to optimise team performance and development (a team of technical staff)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams & drive change in a complex & large environment.
• Exposure to automation systems and suppliers, such as Vanderlande, Dematic, Schaeffer, Swisslog, Knapp, or Witron, would be highly regarded.

What you’ll experience

• We create a thriving team experience through a culture of belonging that champions safety and wellbeing for our people and partners.
• We offer competitive remuneration and access to a number of employee benefits.
• Team discounts across our range of Woolworths Group brands
• Work with the world's leading site automation, systems & robotic technology.
• This role offers a high level of support and autonomy to make it your own.
• A global business with endless career possibilities
• A range of programs to help you prioritise and manage your wellbeing, including a competitive leave policy and 24/7 access to the Sonder app.

Endless possibilities with Woolworths Group

We’re a proud part of the Woolworths Group – 200,000+ bright minds, passionate hearts and unique perspectives working together connected by a shared Purpose – ‘to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow.’

Here you’ll be supported and empowered to explore new ideas, make brave commitments and innovate better ways to meet the food and everyday needs of more than 24 million customers every week. Backed by a culture of genuine care, a flexible approach to work and the support to grow your career and make a meaningful impact, the possibilities for what we can achieve together are endless.

Everyone belongs at Woolworths Group

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key to realising our purpose of better together for a better tomorrow. We recognise the value our team’s diversity brings to our business, customers, and communities and that teams with diverse experiences and backgrounds enrich our group and are better able to innovate and solve problems. As one of the largest employers in Australia and New Zealand, we aim to create a truly inclusive workplace where everyone feels that they belong, can be their best selves, and reach their full potential.

We encourage all candidates to apply; please let us know in your application if we can support you with any adjustments in the hiring process.

Platinum Tier Employer - Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQ+ inclusion

Employer of Choice for Gender Equality - Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

Our Talent Acquisition Team and Hiring Leaders kindly request no unsolicited resumes or approaches from Recruitment Agencies. Woolworths Group is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes

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