Warehouse Automation & Maintenance Manager

FAST RETAILING CO., LTD.; Lyndhurst (NJ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

UNIQLO in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, is seeking a senior engineer-leader to own the maintenance and optimization of high‑performance automated warehouse systems. You will build and execute plans, lead cross‑functional teams, and drive reliability across the supply chain.

This role requires travel within the U.S. for deployments, collaboration with vendors and senior leadership, and frequent coordination with global headquarters to standardize operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Proven leadership for technical initiatives and project planning.
• Experience with automation equipment and WMS.
• Willingness to travel in the U.S. and relocation to California is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement maintenance plans and staffing strategies for automated warehouse systems.
• Respond to equipment failures, analyze root causes and implement improvements.
• Drive long-term reliability through predictive maintenance and upgrades.
• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives with vendors and internal teams.
• Monitor progress, negotiate service terms, and report on operations.
• Coordinate with global HQ and prepare for peak seasons and product launches.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering (Electrical or Mechanical)

Tools

WMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

About UNIQLO

UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co. (FR), a leading global Japanese retail holding company that designs, manufactures and sells clothing under seven brands: GU, Theory, HELMUT LANG, COMPTOIR DES COTONNIERS, PRINCESSE TAM.TAM, J Brand, PLST, and UNIQLO. FR is the world's third largest apparel retail company and UNIQLO is Japan's leading specialty retailer. At UNIQLO, we are committed to providing our employees with enriching and challenging opportunities where achievements and personal growth are acknowledged and rewarded. We are dedicated to offering our employees training, performance based increases, and unlimited growth opportunities. If you are an ambitious, hard-working individual who welcomes new challenges, have a drive for success, and embrace the responsibility of leadership—then you belong at UNIQLO!

Position Overview

At UNIQLO, we are strengthening our logistics capabilities as we aim to grow our group revenue from 3 trillion yen to 10 trillion yen. In this role, you will be responsible for leading the implementation, maintenance, and improvement of world-class automated warehouse systems—critical infrastructure at the heart of our supply chain transformation. We are looking for someone who can take the lead in building and optimizing high-performance warehouse operations that never stop, helping us realize our vision of producing, delivering, and selling only what customers need, when they need it, and in the exact quantity required.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute maintenance plans, budget forecasts, and staffing strategies to ensure stable equipment operation.
• Respond to equipment failures, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Drive long-term equipment reliability through predictive maintenance, upgrades, and the adoption of advanced technologies.
• Lead improvement initiatives involving equipment vendors and cross-functional teams.
• Monitor and report progress on troubleshooting and resolution of equipment issues.
• Negotiate maintenance contracts, pricing, and service terms.
• Prepare for peak seasons, including large-scale product launches and sales events.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership.
• Establish operational standards, procedures, and supporting applications.
• Promote daily operational standardization and global best practices.
• Improve warehouse and store operations through new equipment deployment and process or existing equipment optimization.
• Report daily operations and incidents, and coordinate with global headquarters (GHQ).

This role requires a proactive, hands-on approach to identifying issues and driving solutions.

During peak periods such as major sales events or product launches, shift work—including night shifts and weekend/holiday coverage-may be required. Overtime and emergency response to equipment failures may also occur.

Desired Skills and Experiences

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (electrical or mechanical disciplines welcome) with at least 5 years of relevant work experience.
• Proven experience in leading technical initiatives, including project planning and execution, stakeholder alignment, and problem-solving.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with limited structure and direct supervision.
• Strong drive to continuously improve and achieve goals without settling for the status quo.
• Hands-on experience in designing or implementing new automation equipment.
• Experience in maintaining and improving automated systems.
• Demonstrated ability to optimize equipment and operations with cost-efficiency in mind.
• Familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS).
• Experience using performance metrics to manage operations and drive improvements.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including cross-functional initiatives.
• Experiences of coordinating and negotiating with external vendors to improve operations.
• Strong analytical skills for identifying root causes and developing effective solutions to complex issues.
• Excellent communication skills across all levels—from frontline staff to senior leadership.
• Attention to detail and a results-driven mindset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (e.g., Excel functions, macros, presentation creation).
• Demonstrated ability to build strong teamwork across departments and deliver results through collaboration.
• Willingness to travel within the U.S. for extended periods (1-3 months) to support new automation equipment deployment.
• Flexibility to relocate to California within 1-2 years is a plus.

Salary Range

Salary Range: $140,000 - $146,000 *The offered salary or salary range is based on several factors, including, but not limited to, overall experience, relevant experience, education level, certifications, applicable skills and expertise, and location of the position. The Company is committed to equal pay initiatives and will not ask candidates for their current or past salary.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Fast Retailing does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, citizenship, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or because of any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Company Description

UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. UNIQLO is the largest of eight brands in the Fast Retailing Group, the others being GU, Theory, PLST, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam, J Brand and Helmut Lang.

Fast Retailing and UNIQLO

Fast Retailing is one of the world's largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer. UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world's most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a global brand.

Store Presence

Today the company has a total of more than 2,500 UNIQLO stores across the world, including Japan, Asia, Europe and North America. The total number of stores across Fast Retailing's brands is now over 3,600.

Corporate Commitment

With a corporate statement committed to changing clothes, changing conventional wisdom and change the world, Fast Retailing is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere.

Career Information

For more information about UNIQLO and Fast Retailing, please visit www.uniqlo.com and www.fastretailing.com. For additional information regarding Uniqlo Careers please visit our Global Career Page.

LifeWear Design Philosophy

Apparel that comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity. Designed to be of the time and for the time, LifeWear is made with such modern elegance that it becomes the building blocks of each individual’s style. A perfect shirt that is always being made more perfect.

LifeWear Philosophy

The simplest design hiding the most thoughtful and modern details. The best in fit and fabric made to be affordable and accessible to all. LifeWear is clothing that is constantly being innovated, bringing more warmth, more lightness, better design, and better comfort to people’s lives.

Power of Clothing

Unlocking The Power Of Clothing We believe we can turn the power of clothing into a force for good. By designing, making and selling good clothing, we can make the world a better place. Good clothing means simple clothing, high in quality, and built to last. It's clothing that enriches the lives of people who wear it by giving them comfort, protection and pleasure.

Community & Sustainability

It is produced in a way that is harmonious with nature, without excessive burden on the environment. Good clothing is made by people of diverse backgrounds working with energy and enthusiasm, under conditions where their health, safety and human rights are respected and upheld. And we will extend this same spirit to our customers and all our Stakeholders, working with them to aspire to a better society where we all thrive.

Environmental & Social Responsibility

This is our promise: to always work toward a better, more sustainable society. Fast Retailing embraces and promotes diversity and inclusion. We believe these concepts nurture our culture, helping to change our business, the people working within it, and all of society for the better.

Diversity & Inclusion

We respect and appreciate each individual's points of difference and personality and strive to create a diverse team where every person has equal opportunity to use their greatest abilities to fulfill their potential.