Spinnaker SCA, a Publicis Sapient company, is seeking a Principal Consultant who leads end‑to‑end warehouse and distribution center optimization and facility design programs—from current‑state assessment and future‑state blueprinting to business‑case development, solution selection, and implementation oversight. You’ll blend deep intralogistics expertise with hands‑on design and data-driven decisioning to deliver scalable, automation‑ready facilities that hit throughput, cost, service, and safety goals.
This role is a part of our Warehouse Operations & Automation practice and is ideal for leaders who have designed greenfield/brownfield DCs, evaluated and right‑sized automation (e.g., AS/RS, shuttles, AMRs/AGVs, sortation, goods‑to‑person), and understand how processes, software, labor, and MHE come together on the floor.
$90,000–$205,000USD +bonus
Here’s what you need to bring to the table:
- A bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Supply Chain or equivalent experience in a relevant field is required. Equivalent experience includes a proven track record of skills, professional accomplishments, or training related to the role.
- 10+ years in warehouse operations, facility design, and/or intralogistics engineering with delivered programs in DC design/optimization and automation enablement.
- Demonstrated expertise in material flow design, storage media selection, slotting, labor modeling, and safety/ergonomics for high‑volume retail/e‑commerce/B2B environments.
- Hands‑on familiarity with automation categories (convey/sort, AS/RS, shuttles, GTP, AMRs/AGVs) and with RFP/spec development and vendor evaluations.
- Working knowledge of WMS/WES/LMS capabilities and integration touchpoints (Tier‑1 or equivalent).
- Proficiency with AutoCAD (or equivalent) and comfort using discrete‑event simulation/throughput tools such as AnyLogic, FlexSim, or similar, including experience building digital twins to validate design assumptions and de‑risk automation investments.
Executive‑level communication skills and proven ability to lead cross‑functional client and vendor teams through change.
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You’ll stand out if you also bring experience with:
- Data & analytics: SQL/Python or equivalent for data wrangling; BI tools (Power BI/Tableau) for visualization; advanced slotting and engineered standards exposure.
- WMS/WES depth (e.g., Manhattan, Blue Yonder, Körber, Infor, SAP EWM)—designing processes that systems can enable; experience partnering with application teams.
- Lean/Six Sigma credentials and experience institutionalizing continuous improvement.
- Pre‑sales/solutioning with integrators or OEMs; experience presenting solution alternatives and business cases to senior stakeholders.
- Hands‑on experience creating digital twins for warehouse operations using AnyLogic, FlexSim, or comparable platforms, including scenario modeling for capacity, labor, and automation ROI sensitivity.
- Lead facility design from discovery through concept, alternatives/trade‑off analysis, and final design—material flow, storage media, aisle strategy, pick/pack design, dock and yard, safety/ergonomics, and future expandability; produce layouts and design deliverables using CAD and simulation where appropriate.
- Build the business case (capacity, throughput, labor model, OpEx/CapEx, ROI/NPV) and define milestoneed roadmaps that balance cost, service, and flexibility.
- Evaluate and right‑size automation (e.g., conveyors/sorters, shuttle systems, AS/RS, GTP, AMRs/AGVs, automated truck loading) and orchestrate RFPs, vendor selection, and commercial/technical due diligence.
- Design process first, then technology—codify operating processes and KPIs, then align WMS/WES/LMS capabilities and integrations to enable the process.
- Apply analytics & simulation—mine and model order/SKU data (seasonality, velocity, cube, profiles), run capacity/throughput analyses, slotting studies, and where helpful, discrete‑event simulation to de‑risk decisions.
- Guide implementation—author specs, support design‑build and commissioning plans, partner with client/OEM/GC/IT teams, and provide cutover/hypercare oversight.
- Be a trusted advisor—lead executive workshops, articulate trade‑offs, and mentor Spinnaker consultants; contribute to pursuits, solutioning, and thought leadership.
You’ll thrive if you: (1) start with data and process, (2) remain technology‑agnostic until the design is proven, (3) quantify value with a credible business case, and (4) ensure the operation can actually run the design on day one—safely, simply, and measurably
Pay Range: $90,000-205,000 USD + Bonus
The range shown represents a grouping of relevant ranges currently in use at Spinnaker SCA. Actual range for this position may differ, depending on location and specific skillset required for the work itself.
As part of our dedication to an inclusive and diverse workforce, Spinnaker SCA, a company of Publicis Sapient is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected] or you may call us at +1 (213) 443-8308.
Spinnaker SCA, a Publicis Sapient company, is a supply chain consultancy purpose-built for today’s volatility and tomorrow’s opportunities. We design and deliver smarter supply chains using a hands-on blend of strategic thinking, digital systems know-how, and practical execution.
From network design and demand planning to warehouse automation and AI-powered analytics, we help companies design intelligently, implement seamlessly, and grow exponentially. If you’re ready to help rethink what supply chains can be—and have a little fun while doing it—we’d love to hear from you.
