NA Centrals Lead Engineer

Who We Are

Ocado is a UK based company admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange (Ticker OCDO). It comprises one of the world's largest dedicated online grocery retailers, operating its own grocery and general merchandise retail businesses under Ocado.com and other specialist shop banners, together with its Ocado Solutions division.

The Ocado Solutions division is responsible for providing Ocado’s innovative advanced robotics technology, known as the Ocado Smart Platform ("OSP"), to our major retailer clients around the world. OSP comprises access to Ocado's physical infrastructure solutions, running highly efficient warehouse operations for the single pick of products, together with the entire end-to-end proprietary software applications and advanced robotics required to operate a world-class online grocery business.

Our unique, proprietary and industry-leading technology is set to transform the shopping experience of consumers around the world. We have partnered with several companies in NA  to help redefine the grocery customer experience through the adoption of the centralized, automated model of online retailing provided by the Ocado Smart Platform.

Come join us as we build our North American team, bringing world-class innovation and technologies to one of the most exciting global markets for e-commerce.

What You Will Do

The NA Centrals Lead Engineer,  will serve as an Engineering and Technical Project resource in the NA Centrals Engineering Department providing support for Ocado Fulfillment Centers (FCs) as well as technical project management across all FCs.  The successful candidate will support all technology related topics, developing close working relationships between Ocado Central technical teams and coordination between NA Ocado Engineering Operations. 

Key Performance Objectives:

• Represents Engineering Operations stakeholders to local Client Construction Contractors, Client PM’s, Ocado’s Construction & ImplementationI and Testing teams during pre-Go live for newly and expanding FC’s.
• Represents Engineering Operations stakeholders to Ocado’s Central Corporate operations concerning new processes, new equipment, process revisions, testing new concepts and NA technical performance reporting.
• Successful and efficient Technical Project Management execution.
• During commissioning through Go Live be a contact for reporting on project progress, defining milestones for Eng. Ops resources needed to support commissioning, identifying issues and risks, and offering viable solutions and opportunities as they arise.
• Support sign-off for all installed peripheral equipment and deviations relative to OSP systems provided they meet all design prints as approved by UK Centrals
• Oversee shared local Eng. Ops personnel resources during FC commissioning, testing, and set-up stages

Key Customers:

• NA Engineering Operations Teams and Management
• Central Engineering Operations
• SEOMs, EOMs, and local Maintenance and Controls Engineers

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Support NA Eng Ops activities at new FCs through Go-Live and for FC expansion and upgrades through Eng Ops acceptance.
• Provide support for control issues, including resolution of PLC code-related issues within live operational systems, including leading investigations through issue resolution. 
• Direct remote support for all site Control Engineers for all FC’s within the assigned region.  Be available after hours to support and answer questions for on site control engineers and be backup when control engineers that are  not on shift or out on vacation.
• Be the main contact and lead during a new FC’s equipment accepting process.  Be onsite as much as possible during a new FC go live.
• Support deployment of system-wide software bundle releases across NA FCs, including troubleshooting and issue resolution.
• Work with the Automation Control team to diagnose and deploy the required code fixes.
• Monitor the technical performance of the FC’s and advise/support Management and Technical teams with improvements.  
• Focus on continuous improvement and champion change in all areas of MHE.  The role will provide direct, effective communication to FC leadership during Commissioning through Sustainable Operations.
• Support Centrals, NA, and local management teams for any technology transfer activities.
• Champion 6S strategy across NA FCs, including requirements development and execution to ensure standardized deployment.
• Support execution of standard spare parts, tools, and EngOps area design and layouts.
• Supports initial developments with NA and local management and H&S authorities for compliance with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) practices and protocols for the facility; ensuring plant operations comply with all OSHA protection and reporting requirements.
• During launch, transfers and supports local staff with the implementation and rationalizing for preventive maintenance procedures, evaluating, and maximizing maintenance procedures in collaboration with other support personnel and staff.
• Support NA and  local purchasing/stores staff by defining/training procedures to procure equipment spare parts, define/train procedures on materials supplied by Centrals, suppliers and ensure the reordering of spare parts to maintain the defined stock levels.  Defines/provides all BOMs necessary for start-up
• Support Ocado Supplier Management activities including supplier issue resolution, and deployment of design and/or process implementation at new and existing FCs.
• Coordinates routine site and NA management meetings to communicate installation schedules, progress, schedule risks and yield improvements.
• Be an active stakeholder with site Contractors/Consultants, General Managers, REOMs SEOMs, EOMs and the NA Executive Management to maintain management team efficiency
• Monitor the effectiveness of corrective actions and introduce preventative measures where appropriate
• Assist in Bot issues by investigations reviewing data across all sites
• Support the development of technical training related to equipment, processes, and procedures.
• Assist in hiring process for all technical positions by conducting technical assessments,
• Be a technical point of contact for internal and external  escalations providing both remote and onsite resolution for control issues, including resolution of PLC code-related issues.  May be called upon to support off-hours support on major escalations.
• Support the NA and local Eng. Ops teams for FCs by being proactive and achieving targets within agreed upon timeframes
• Be an active stakeholder in the development of new procedures, improved technology, and accepting newly installed equipment ensuring the same message is delivered across all engineering and construction teams
• Assist Ocado’s Health and Safety teams by facilitating  team members and operations adherence  to Ocado’s Health, Safety and Environment Policies and Practices according to Ocado standards

You may be asked to perform tasks as required by management deemed as a reasonable request from time-to-time. This job description is a summary of the typical functions of the role, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of possible role responsibilities, tasks, and duties and is subject to review. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder might differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, might form part of the job.

This position will require domestic travel 50% to 75% of the time in order to support existing FC’s and FC’s under construction during their start-up phase. Some international travel will be required periodically in order to work with Ocado Central Operations and cross train on best practices / new technologies launches with other international FC’s.  

Qualifications:

To qualify for the NA Centrals Lead Engineer position, you should meet the following requirements:

• A Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Controls Engineering or equivalent 
• A minimum of 5 years experience as a controls engineer preferably in an automation environment.
• A good understanding of PLC control architecture and field control systems.  
• Strong understanding of electronic circuits. A good understanding of DC motor controls. 
• Online code monitoring, modification and development with Siemens TIA S7.
• Experience with Linux based automation systems.
• Experience in a warehouse, distribution, production or FMCG environment.
• Understanding of Control System Communication Protocols such as WCS and WMS systems.
• Experience with SCADA and Siemens HMI system.  
• 3+ years in Technical Project Management
• Knowledge of and demonstrable competencies in OSHA and other Health and Safety guidelines
• Background in Total Quality Management, Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma (Green Belt preferred)
• Skilled in Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action tools and techniques
• Experience working with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems).
• A sound understanding of and experience using Google Suites, Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills with the ability to communicate at all levels, within the business and with suppliers and customers
• Strong ability to organize, prioritize and maintain relevant information to support the business
• Sound analytical skills, strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

Skill Requirements for the Position:

Must be highly motivated, organized, solution-oriented, and efficient with strong technical aptitude and the ability to work effectively with multiple team members. This will be a fast-paced role within a cross functional project team. Candidates must be multi-tasker, detail oriented, deadline driven, have strong team and people skills, a good understanding of the Ocado or similar process and possess a natural talent for solving problems.

• Trained and qualified in formal and systematic methods of project planning and management or equivalent experience
• Ownership and accountability and ability to motivate others
• Ability to execute to plans while effectively managing risks and opportunities
• Ability to think strategically while tactically setting goals and tasks scope
• Languages; Fluent written and verbal English

For a sense of who we are and what we deliver we invite you to explore online to learn more about Ocado Technology and Ocado Engineering, which directly support the Ocado Solutions division, and take the next step in what will be an amazing career with us.

Learn about our partnership with Kroger:

• Kroger Bets on Robots With Ocado Deal
• Meet Ocado, Kroger’s Newest Weapon in Its Grocery Delivery War with Amazon and Walmart
• Check out this video about our advanced robotics technology

Ocado is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, veteran’s status, or any other classification as required by applicable law.