Job Description The Sr. Manager, Supply Chain & Labor Engineering leads engineering, process design, and labor management initiatives across a high-volume, rapidly growing distribution network. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and standardizing operational processes, labor management systems, slotting strategies, and automation solutions to optimize capacity, productivity, efficiency, and service levels.
The role collaborates with DC operations leaders, corporate supply chain partners, and executive leadership to plan and execute capital improvement projects, DC expansions, operational strategies, automation implementations, and continuous process improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate is a strategic and analytical leader capable of influencing senior leadership, driving change, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Lean, Six Sigma, continuous improvement expertise and thought process are required.
Duties and Responsibilities - Lead engineering and process teams in the design, approval, and execution of operational improvement, transition, and expansion projects.
- Lead the design and enhancement of new and existing DCs, including layout, material handling, asset recovery, and automation solutions.
- Develop and govern DC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring consistency across the network.
- Own labor management (LM) program strategy, including work standards, time studies, productivity tracking, and LM standardization across sites.
- Develop and execute slotting strategies, tools, and protocols to optimize warehouse efficiency, store service, and inventory flow.
- Partner with operations leaders to identify and implement continuous process improvements to drive service, safety, quality, and cost performance. •
- Lead cross-functional project teams across Operations, IT, Transportation, Inventory, Allocations, and Engineering to implement change initiatives. •
- Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methods to deliver rapid and sustainable operational improvements.
- Conduct ROI analysis, business case development, and capital planning for projects and operational initiatives.
- Standardize processes, share best practices, and drive collaboration across the distribution network.
- Mentor, develop, and guide engineering, operations, LM, and slotting teams.
- Validate project milestones and performance outcomes, ensuring high-quality, on-time delivery.
- Travel up to 35-50% to support network operations, project rollouts, and stakeholder engagement
Scope - Staff supervision and development: Yes
- Decision making:
- Travel: Up to 50%
- Flex Designation: Anywhere
The anticipated salary range for this position is $136,900 - $205,200 depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits to Associates (and their families) such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability. Eligible Associates are able to enroll in our company's 401k plan, as well as a deferred compensation plan. Associates will accrue paid time off up to 236 hours per year, (inclusive of PTO, floating holidays and paid holidays). Paid sick time up to 80 hours per year unless otherwise required by law.
RequirementsEducation and Experience - Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
- Master's Degree in Business, Engineering or Operations Management a plus
- 8+ years of experience in high volume distribution preferred
Skills - Education and/or Experience - Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
- Master's Degree in Business, Engineering or Operations Management a plus
- 8+ years of experience in high volume distribution preferred
- Strong leadership, influencing, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Expertise in labor management, time studies, productivity tracking, process engineering, and slotting.
- Proficient in project management, automation design, capital planning, and operational improvement implementation.
- Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Exceptional analytical, financial, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Outstanding communication skills across all levels of management.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with attention to detail.
- Time & Motion, MTM, MSD, or MOST experience preferred.
- Skilled in developing and standardizing operational processes
- Experience leading operational transitions, DC design, and automation initiatives.
- Ability to mentor and develop engineering, operations, and labor management teams.
- Proven track record driving continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and productivity gains.
- Competencies: Initiative, planning & organization, problem-solving, policy compliance, and leadership aligned with company values.
- Competencies:
- Leadership - Models the Company's values and influences others to achieve individual or team objectives
- Communication - Clearly conveys information through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that is understandable, easy to retain and timely
- Initiative - Approaches work objectives with a sense of urgency and a dedication to exceeding performance expectations
- Problem-solving/Decision-making - Accurately identifies problems, issues and opportunities, collects data to draw conclusions and chooses a course of action based on facts
- Planning & Organization - Establishes courses of action for self and others to ensure that work objectives are met
- Policy Compliance - Manages in accordance with Company policies and procedures and promotes compliance in others
Physical Requirements Corporate - Remote - General office environment requiring ability to: *Stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time . *Speak and listen to others in person and over the phone and video conferencing. *Use keyboard and read from computer screen and reports. *The ability to lift up to 15 lbs.
Safety Must be able to perform this job safely in accordance with standard operating procedures and good manufacturing practices, without endangering the health or safety of self or others.
About Harbor Freight Tools We're a 45 year-old, $8 billion national tool retailer with the energy, enthusiasm, and growth potential of a start-up. We have over 1,600 stores in 48 states across the country and are opening several new locations every week. We offer our customers more than 7,000 tools and accessories, from hand tools and generators to air and power tools, from shop equipment to automotive tools. We provide our customers with the right tool for the right job at the right price, always delivering quality and value.
Job Description The Sr. Manager, Supply Chain & Labor Engineering leads engineering, process design, and labor management initiatives across a high-volume, rapidly growing distribution network. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and standardizing operational processes, labor management systems, slotting strategies, and automation solutions to optimize capacity, productivity, efficiency, and service levels.
The role collaborates with DC operations leaders, corporate supply chain partners, and executive leadership to plan and execute capital improvement projects, DC expansions, operational strategies, automation implementations, and continuous process improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate is a strategic and analytical leader capable of influencing senior leadership, driving change, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Lean, Six Sigma, continuous improvement expertise and thought process are required.
Duties and Responsibilities - Lead engineering and process teams in the design, approval, and execution of operational improvement, transition, and expansion projects.
- Lead the design and enhancement of new and existing DCs, including layout, material handling, asset recovery, and automation solutions.
- Develop and govern DC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring consistency across the network.
- Own labor management (LM) program strategy, including work standards, time studies, productivity tracking, and LM standardization across sites.
- Develop and execute slotting strategies, tools, and protocols to optimize warehouse efficiency, store service, and inventory flow.
- Partner with operations leaders to identify and implement continuous process improvements to drive service, safety, quality, and cost performance. •
- Lead cross-functional project teams across Operations, IT, Transportation, Inventory, Allocations, and Engineering to implement change initiatives. •
- Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methods to deliver rapid and sustainable operational improvements.
- Conduct ROI analysis, business case development, and capital planning for projects and operational initiatives.
- Standardize processes, share best practices, and drive collaboration across the distribution network.
- Mentor, develop, and guide engineering, operations, LM, and slotting teams.
- Validate project milestones and performance outcomes, ensuring high-quality, on-time delivery.
- Travel up to 35-50% to support network operations, project rollouts, and stakeholder engagement
Scope - Staff supervision and development: Yes
- Decision making:
- Travel: Up to 50%
- Flex Designation: Anywhere
The anticipated salary range for this position is $136,900 - $205,200 depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits to Associates (and their families) such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability. Eligible Associates are able to enroll in our company's 401k plan, as well as a deferred compensation plan. Associates will accrue paid time off up to 236 hours per year, (inclusive of PTO, floating holidays and paid holidays). Paid sick time up to 80 hours per year unless otherwise required by law.
RequirementsEducation and Experience - Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
- Master's Degree in Business, Engineering or Operations Management a plus
- 8+ years of experience in high volume distribution preferred
Skills - Education and/or Experience - Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
- Master's Degree in Business, Engineering or Operations Management a plus
- 8+ years of experience in high volume distribution preferred
- Strong leadership, influencing, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Expertise in labor management, time studies, productivity tracking, process engineering, and slotting.
- Proficient in project management, automation design, capital planning, and operational improvement implementation.
- Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Exceptional analytical, financial, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Outstanding communication skills across all levels of management.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with attention to detail.
- Time & Motion, MTM, MSD, or MOST experience preferred.
- Skilled in developing and standardizing operational processes
- Experience leading operational transitions, DC design, and automation initiatives.
- Ability to mentor and develop engineering, operations, and labor management teams.
- Proven track record driving continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and productivity gains.
- Competencies: Initiative, planning & organization, problem-solving, policy compliance, and leadership aligned with company values.
- Competencies:
- Leadership - Models the Company's values and influences others to achieve individual or team objectives
- Communication - Clearly conveys information through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that is understandable, easy to retain and timely
- Initiative - Approaches work objectives with a sense of urgency and a dedication to exceeding performance expectations
- Problem-solving/Decision-making - Accurately identifies problems, issues and opportunities, collects data to draw conclusions and chooses a course of action based on facts
- Planning & Organization - Establishes courses of action for self and others to ensure that work objectives are met
- Policy Compliance - Manages in accordance with Company policies and procedures and promotes compliance in others
Physical Requirements Corporate - Remote - General office environment requiring ability to: *Stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time . *Speak and listen to others in person and over the phone and video conferencing. *Use keyboard and read from computer screen and reports. *The ability to lift up to 15 lbs.
Safety Must be able to perform this job safely in accordance with standard operating procedures and good manufacturing practices, without endangering the health or safety of self or others.
About Harbor Freight Tools We're a 45 year-old, $8 billion national tool retailer with the energy, enthusiasm, and growth potential of a start-up. We have over 1,600 stores in 48 states across the country and are opening several new locations every week. We offer our customers more than 7,000 tools and accessories, from hand tools and generators to air and power tools, from shop equipment to automotive tools. We provide our customers with the right tool for the right job at the right price, always delivering quality and value.
