Spinnaker SCA | A company of Publicis Sapient · 2 days ago
Distribution Center Design Lead/Architect (Industrial Engineering / Material Flow / Automation / Operations)
Los Angeles, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
7+ years expSpinnaker SCA, a company of Publicis Sapient, is a supply chain consultancy focused on designing and delivering smarter supply chains. They are seeking a hands-on Conceptual Design Lead to create the future-state operating model for a new distribution center, blending leadership with deep technical design in industrial engineering and automation.
Responsibilities
Lead Phase 1 Conceptual Design, acting as the primary architect of the future‑state DC and the coordinator for all SMEs (Operations, IE, Strategy, Transportation, Automation, WMS/IT)
Build the 5‑year demand/capacity model, including peak week/day/hour throughput, SKU cube/velocity analysis, and storage strategy
Design end‑to‑end material flows (inbound → putaway → storage → picking → packing → shipping → returns), aligning process engineering with automation options
Create the facility conceptual layout (zones, dock strategy, storage types, work areas) and define envelope requirements (clear height, bays, docks, space allowances)
Evaluate automation strategies (AutoStore, Exotec, AMRs, traditional MHE), producing trade‑offs, sizing, and throughput scenarios
Partner with Operations SMEs to define service models, exception paths, staffing needs, and productivity assumptions
Work with Strategy & Transportation Analysts to align network role, transit expectations, and upstream/downstream constraints
Collaborate with WMS Architect & IT Integration Architect to define system capabilities, integration points, and functional requirements linked to flow design
Facilitate working sessions and drive the team toward a unified Phase 1 Concept Design Package including options, recommendations, risks, and CapEx/OpEx bands
Present conceptual alternatives and recommendations to senior leadership and support Stage Gate 1 approvals
Qualification
Required
7+ years in Industrial Engineering, Material Flow Design, Automation Engineering, or Operations Design for distribution/fulfillment centers
Demonstrated ability to design DC flows from scratch and translate requirements into conceptual layouts and automation configurations
Experience working with or evaluating automation technologies such as AutoStore, Exotec, AMRs, conveyors, goods‑to‑person, or high‑density storage systems
Strong command of capacity modeling, process mapping, labor modeling, and storage/slotting logic
Proven ability to lead cross‑functional workshops, synthesize inputs from multiple SMEs, and deliver polished executive-level design deliverables
A “builder” mindset — comfortable rolling up your sleeves, doing the analysis, and also driving the broader team toward alignment
Ability to collaborate effectively with WMS/IT, Operations, Strategy, and Real Estate partners during early design
Company
Spinnaker SCA | A company of Publicis Sapient
Spinnaker SCA is not like other supply chain consulting firms. We don’t just advise—we also build, implement, and get things done.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageRecent News
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