Logistic Engineer - Automotive domain

Global Connect Technologies; Benson (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Connect Technologies is seeking an experienced Logistics Engineer – Warehouse to optimize warehouse operations, material flow, and inventory management. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to identify inefficiencies and implement data‑driven improvements.

The role emphasizes Lean methodologies, capacity planning, KPI development, and the design of layouts, labor utilization, and safety enhancements to boost productivity and reduce costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Professional experience in warehouse engineering, logistics engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing logistics, material handling, supply chain, or warehouse operations.
• Strong knowledge of warehouse processes, material flow, inventory management, capacity planning, and process optimization.
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, and communication skills.
• Experience conducting time studies, capacity analysis, labor utilization studies, process mapping, and root cause analysis.
• Ability to analyze operational data and translate findings into practical engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

• Analyze warehouse processes, inventory movement, labor utilization, and material handling activities to identify opportunities for improvements in productivity, quality, cost, and safety.
• Design and optimize warehouse layouts, storage locations, staging areas, receiving and shipping zones, picking areas, and material presentation systems.
• Conduct warehouse capacity studies based on inventory levels, production requirements, SKU characteristics, throughput, and future business demand.
• Identify process bottlenecks and develop data‑driven solutions to improve warehouse throughput and operational efficiency.
• Develop and implement standardized work procedures, work instructions, process documentation, and performance standards.
• Conduct time studies, work measurement, labor analysis, and process assessments to improve resource utilization.
• Design and optimize internal material flow routes for forklifts, carts, tuggers, AGVs/AMRs, and other material handling systems.
• Improve receiving, inspection, put‑away, replenishment, picking, kitting, staging, shipping, and line‑side material delivery processes.
• Develop efficient inventory storage and replenishment strategies based on demand, production schedules, and material consumption.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Warehouse Operations to establish efficient material delivery and replenishment parameters.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to improve inbound logistics, packaging, material presentation, and delivery frequency.
• Support implementation of Just‑in‑Time (JIT), Kanban, supermarket, point‑of‑use storage, and pull‑system concepts.
• Evaluate opportunities to reduce transportation distance, handling requirements, excess inventory, and material movement.
• Develop dashboards, reports, process maps, presentations, and implementation plans for management and cross‑functional teams.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives throughout warehouse and logistics operations.
• Apply Lean methodologies and Industrial Engineering techniques, including: 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Standard Work, Visual Management, Process Mapping, PDCA.
• Identify and eliminate waste associated with transportation, motion, waiting, excess inventory, over‑processing, and inefficient material handling.
• Lead improvement projects from opportunity identification and analysis through implementation, validation, and results tracking.
• Establish measurable improvement targets and track project benefits related to cost, productivity, quality, safety, and throughput.

Skills

Industrial Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering

Logistics

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Project Management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering

Supply Chain

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Visio

Power BI

Excel

SAP/EWM

WMS

ERP

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Logistics Engineer – Warehouse to optimize warehouse operations, material flow, storage systems, labor utilization, inventory management, and overall logistics performance. The Logistics Engineer will work closely with Warehouse Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and other cross‑functional teams to identify operational inefficiencies and implement data‑driven improvements.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in warehouse engineering, logistics optimization, material flow, Lean methodologies, capacity planning, warehouse layout, KPI development, and continuous improvement. This position will play a key role in improving productivity, reducing operational costs and waste, maximizing warehouse space, enhancing safety, and supporting operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Warehouse Operations & Process Engineering

• Analyze warehouse processes, inventory movement, labor utilization, and material handling activities to identify opportunities for improvements in productivity, quality, cost, and safety.
• Design and optimize warehouse layouts, storage locations, staging areas, receiving and shipping zones, picking areas, and material presentation systems.
• Conduct warehouse capacity studies based on inventory levels, production requirements, SKU characteristics, throughput, and future business demand.
• Identify process bottlenecks and develop data‑driven solutions to improve warehouse throughput and operational efficiency.
• Develop and implement standardized work procedures, work instructions, process documentation, and performance standards.
• Conduct time studies, work measurement, labor analysis, and process assessments to improve resource utilization.

Material Flow & Logistics Optimization

• Design and optimize internal material flow routes for forklifts, carts, tuggers, AGVs/AMRs, and other material handling systems.
• Improve receiving, inspection, put‑away, replenishment, picking, kitting, staging, shipping, and line‑side material delivery processes.
• Develop efficient inventory storage and replenishment strategies based on demand, production schedules, and material consumption.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Warehouse Operations to establish efficient material delivery and replenishment parameters.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to improve inbound logistics, packaging, material presentation, and delivery frequency.
• Support implementation of Just‑in‑Time (JIT), Kanban, supermarket, point‑of‑use storage, and pull‑system concepts.
• Evaluate opportunities to reduce transportation distance, handling requirements, excess inventory, and material movement.

Data Analysis, Capacity Planning & KPI Management

• Develop, monitor, and improve warehouse KPIs related to:
• Labor productivity
• Inventory accuracy
• Warehouse throughput
• Order/pick accuracy
• Replenishment performance
• Warehouse utilization and capacity
• Perform data analysis, capacity planning, time studies, and labor assessments to support operational decisions.
• Analyze historical and forecasted demand to determine warehouse space, labor, equipment, and storage requirements.
• Use data to identify performance gaps, quantify improvement opportunities, and develop sustainable corrective actions.
• Develop dashboards, reports, process maps, presentations, and implementation plans for management and cross‑functional teams.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives throughout warehouse and logistics operations.
• Apply Lean methodologies and Industrial Engineering techniques, including:
• 5S
• Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
• Standard Work
• Visual Management
• Process Mapping
• PDCA
• Identify and eliminate waste associated with transportation, motion, waiting, excess inventory, over‑processing, and inefficient material handling.
• Lead improvement projects from opportunity identification and analysis through implementation, validation, and results tracking.
• Establish measurable improvement targets and track project benefits related to cost, productivity, quality, safety, and throughput.

Warehouse Technology & Systems

• Evaluate warehouse equipment, material handling systems, storage solutions, and automation technologies to improve safety, capacity, productivity, and cost performance.
• Support implementation and optimization of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and ERP processes.
• Support SAP/EWM transactions and processes involving inventory management, warehouse movements, replenishment, receiving, shipping, and inventory accuracy.
• Identify opportunities for warehouse automation, including automated storage and retrieval systems, conveyors, AGVs/AMRs, scanning technologies, and other material handling solutions.
• Support data integrity and process accuracy within warehouse management and ERP systems.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Warehouse Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Purchasing, and Production teams to implement logistics improvements.
• Work with stakeholders to define requirements, develop solutions, and execute implementation plans.
• Provide engineering support for new warehouse launches, facility expansions, process changes, and production program introductions.
• Communicate technical recommendations, project status, risks, and expected benefits to management and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Support training and implementation of new warehouse processes, systems, layouts, and standard work.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Professional experience in warehouse engineering, logistics engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing logistics, material handling, supply chain, or warehouse operations.
• Strong knowledge of warehouse processes, material flow, inventory management, capacity planning, and process optimization.
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, project management, and communication skills.
• Experience conducting time studies, capacity analysis, labor utilization studies, process mapping, and root cause analysis.
• Ability to analyze operational data and translate findings into practical engineering solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SAP/EWM, WMS, ERP, or warehouse management systems.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Microsoft Visio, Power BI, Excel, or similar engineering and data‑analysis tools.
• Experience designing or optimizing warehouse layouts and storage systems.
• Knowledge of JIT, Kanban, FIFO, supermarket systems, line‑side delivery, and pull‑based material replenishment.
• Experience with warehouse automation and material handling technologies.
• Lean Six Sigma certification is preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing or high‑volume warehouse environment is highly desirable.