Distribution Systems & Automation Specialist (Engineering)

Simon and Schuster Books; Jackson (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Broad Based Ownership program

Job summary

Simon & Schuster US seeks a Distribution Systems & Automation Specialist to support automated warehouse distribution operations. You will work with Industrial Engineering, Operations leaders, and IT to optimize WMS/WCS, conveyance equipment, scanners, and workflows.

The role combines operational expertise with technical problem solving to ensure warehouse systems run efficiently, diagnose issues, program/configure workflows, and collaborate across departments to boost performance.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in Industrial Technology, Information Systems, Engineering Technology, or related field.
• 5+ years supporting automated warehouse or distribution operations.
• Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Experience troubleshooting Warehouse Control Systems (WCS) or similar automation platforms.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Comfortable interpreting system data, logs, and workflow behavior.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor performance of warehouse automation systems including conveyors, scanners, sortation, and material handling technologies.
• Troubleshoot WMS and WCS issues impacting distribution operations.
• Analyze system errors and determine root causes before escalation to engineering/IT partners.
• Configure, modify, and test workflows within warehouse control systems.
• Support programming changes for conveyor routing and workflow logic.
• Validate system changes through testing and operational verification.
• Coordinate system workflows between warehouse operations, automation equipment, and business applications.
• Monitor throughput and identify bottlenecks; recommend workflow improvements.
• Serve as first point of contact for technical issues; coordinate with engineering, IT, vendors, and maintenance teams.

Skills

WMS

WCS

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Data interpretation

Education

Undergraduate degree in Industrial Technology

Related field experience

Tools

PLC programming

SQL

Job description

Simon & Schuster was named to Forbes magazine list of America's Best Mid-Size Employers 2022. Simon & Schuster is a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages, and in all printed, digital and audio formats. Its distinguished roster of authors includes many of the world's most popular and widely recognized writers, and winners of the most prestigious literary honors and awards. It is home to numerous well-known imprints and divisions such as Simon & Schuster, Scribner, Atria Books, Gallery Books, Pocket Books, Adams Media, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing and Simon & Schuster Audio and international companies in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom, and proudly brings the works of its authors to readers in more than 200 countries and territories. For more information visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.

Position Summary

Simon & Schuster is seeking a Distribution Systems & Automation Specialist to support the day-to-day performance of our automated distribution operations. Working closely with the Industrial Engineer, Operations leaders, and IT teams, this role serves as the primary technical resource for warehouse automation systems, workflow optimization, and operational troubleshooting.

This position combines operational expertise with technical problem-solving to ensure our Warehouse Management System (WMS), Warehouse Control System (WCS), conveyance equipment, scanners, and automated workflows operate efficiently. The ideal candidate enjoys diagnosing issues, improving processes, programming and configuring system workflows, and collaborating across departments to enhance distribution performance.

Key Responsibilities

Systems & Automation Support

• Monitor the performance of warehouse automation systems including conveyors, scanners, sortation equipment, and material handling technologies.
• Troubleshoot WMS and WCS issues impacting distribution operations.
• Analyze system errors and determine root causes before escalating to engineering or IT partners.
• Configure, modify, and test operational workflows within warehouse control systems.
• Support programming changes for conveyor routing, workflow logic, and operational sequencing.
• Validate system changes through testing and operational verification.

Workflow Coordination

• Coordinate system workflows between warehouse operations, automation equipment, and business applications.
• Monitor throughput and identify bottlenecks affecting productivity.
• Recommend workflow improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, and system reliability.
• Partner with operations leadership during peak production periods to quickly resolve workflow interruptions.

Operational Troubleshooting

• Serve as the first point of contact for technical issues impacting automated operations.
• Diagnosing problems involving:
• Warehouse Management System (WMS)
• Warehouse Control System (WCS)
• RF scanners
• Labeling systems
• Conveyor controls
• Print-and-apply equipment
• Sortation systems
• Inventory movement logic
• Coordinate with Engineering, IT, vendors, and maintenance teams to resolve complex issues.

Data and Analytics

Monitoring KPIs and identifying opportunities before they become operational issues, such as:

• Conveyor throughput and utilization
• Carton flow rates
• System downtime and recurring faults
• WMS/WCS exception reporting
• Pick path efficiency
• Inventory movement bottlenecks
• SLA and order processing performance
• Root cause trend analysis

Continuous Improvement

• Identify recurring operational issues and recommend permanent solutions.
• Assist with automation projects, equipment upgrades, and new system implementations.
• Document workflow logic, troubleshooting procedures, and system configurations.
• Support testing for software upgrades and warehouse system enhancements.
• Participate in Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with:
• Distribution Engineering
• Operations Management
• IT
• Maintenance
• External automation vendors
• Train operations personnel on new workflows and system functionality.
• Provide technical support during new equipment launches and operational changes.

Qualifications

Required

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in Industrial Technology, Information Systems, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• 5 + years supporting automated warehouse or distribution operations.
• Experience working with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Experience troubleshooting Warehouse Control Systems (WCS) or similar automation platforms.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Comfortable interpreting system data, logs, and workflow behavior.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Preferred

• Experience supporting conveyor or sortation systems.
• Familiarity with PLC-controlled equipment (troubleshooting; programming experience is a plus).
• Experience configuring warehouse workflows.
• SQL or database query experience.
• Experience with automation vendors such as Honeywell, Dematic, Vanderlande, Intelligrated, or similar.
• Exposure to barcode scanning, RFID, or industrial networking.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma principles.

Simon & Schuster US is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). At Simon & Schuster US, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do. From employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression), age, citizenship status, marital status, and Veteran status where protected by law or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York City, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education. The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, tuition assistance program and PTO or, if applicable. Additionally, employees have access to our industry-first, Broad Based Ownership program, which makes all employees partners in our shared success.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals in accordance with applicable law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at [insert contact information]. Unrelated emails, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

Candidates hired for this or any other posted Simon & Schuster role will be employees of Simon & Schuster, LLC, subject to all policies, including the Workplace Privacy Notice, and eligible solely for the benefits plans thereof.