Job Description
Solutions Design Manager – Automated Warehouse (Contract)
Location: Chester (3 days onsite, travel expenses covered)
Start Date: Late May (Design Phase Kick-Off)
Duration: Initial 4 months with strong likelihood of extension (9–12 months total)
Contract Type: Inside IR35 (Umbrella)
The Opportunity
Location: Chester (3 days onsite, travel expenses covered)
Start Date: Late May (Design Phase Kick-Off)
Duration: Initial 4 months with strong likelihood of extension (9–12 months total)
Contract Type: Inside IR35 (Umbrella)
The Opportunity
- We are looking for an experienced Solutions Design Manager to lead the end-to-end physical design of a large-scale, future-ready warehouse operation.
- This is a high-impact role within a major logistics transformation programme, focused on developing a warehouse facility that is optimised for today and scalable for tomorrow’s automation technologies.
- You will play a critical role in shaping a complex distribution environment, ensuring the design supports operational efficiency while enabling future integration of advanced automation.
- Lead the physical layout design of a large-scale warehouse facility
- Develop comprehensive warehouse solution designs, including:
- Goods-in, storage, picking, packing, and dispatch flows
- Space planning and racking configurations
- Material Handling Equipment (MHE) selection and integration
- Design solutions with automation scalability in mind, including:
- ASRS (Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems)
- Conveyor systems
- AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots)
- Robotics and emerging technologies
- Support or lead proof of concept (PoC) development for automated solutions
- Translate operational requirements into practical, buildable warehouse layouts
- Facilitate and contribute to design workshops, scenario modelling, and solution validation
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders across operations, engineering, and programme delivery
- Proven background as a Solutions Design Manager / Warehouse Solution Designer / Logistics Design Consultant
- Strong track record in physical warehouse design (layout, flow, and infrastructure)
- Experience in automated or semi-automated warehouse environments
- Involvement in:
- Warehouse builds or large-scale reconfigurations
- Automation feasibility studies or PoCs
- Familiarity with design and modelling tools (e.g. CAD, simulation, flow modelling)
- Ability to operate effectively in complex stakeholder environments
- Experience in highly regulated industries (e.g. aerospace, manufacturing)
- Exposure to high-throughput distribution centres
- Background in consulting, systems integration, or large logistics programmes
- Opportunity to design a next-generation warehouse facility from the ground up
- Work at the forefront of automation-enabled logistics transformation
- High-profile programme with long-term extension potential
- Collaborative, fast-paced environment with strong stakeholder engagement
