Industrial Engineer

About the Company

Barnes & Noble is the leading book retailer in the United States, with roots dating back to 1873 and a long history of growth through innovation and expansion. Today, under CEO James Daunt and private ownership by Elliott Advisors, Barnes & Noble operates approximately 700 bookstores nationwide, serves over 700 communities across all 50 states, and maintains a robust digital presence through BN.com, NOOK® eBooks and audiobooks, and educational resources such as SparkNotes. The company also includes complementary retail brands such as Paper Source, Books Inc., Tattered Cover, and B. Dalton, further strengthening its market reach. Following a period of revitalization, Barnes & Noble is experiencing strong momentum, with plans to open approximately 60 new stores in 2026, underscoring renewed confidence in physical retail and local bookselling. Combining expansive store networks, curated selections, enhanced in-store experiences, and growing omnichannel capabilities, Barnes & Noble remains the #1 bookseller in the U.S. and a trusted, evolving partner within the publishing and retail ecosystem.

About the Role

This position is part of the B&N Engineering team and supports warehouse improvement initiatives across the distribution centers. In this role, you will be responsible for analyzing operational data, creating and maintaining engineered labor standards, tracking key operational metrics, and evaluating current processes to recommend enhancements that improve efficiency and expand the capacity of the distribution center network. Success in this role relies on strong collaboration with teams across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and review current warehouse operations with the goal of increasing productivity, safety and quality standards.
• Create, implement, and maintain engineered labor standards and work measurements to optimize workforce productivity and capacity planning.
• Review current distribution center processes and identify opportunities for improvement: reduce cycle time, increase throughput, improve quality, safety, and cost savings.
• Observe and evaluate employees’ tasks and responsibilities to identify bottlenecks and issues related to systems, procedures, or workflow.
• Recommend process modifications to maximize efficiency and reduce waste.
• Collaborate on work standardization initiatives and time studies.
• Gather and maintain data needed to support labor performance metrics, labor modeling, and workforce planning.
• Use analytical methods and tools to understand and forecast order cadence, evaluate process changes, and identify slotting needs.
• Work with large datasets in Excel and/or MS Access (300K items); analyze trends, run regressions, and conduct forecasting.
• Present and summarize data analysis through graphs, charts, and reports.
• Demonstrate knowledge of warehouse and distribution center operations, including automation and material handling solutions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent work experience
• 1–3 years of experience in distribution centers

Required Skills

• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and practices
• 5 years of experience with Microsoft Excel; experience with MS Access preferred; working knowledge of SQL, Power BI, and Python is a plus
• Experience with time study software
• Understanding of computer databases, statistical applications, and logistics programs
• Demonstrated knowledge of automation and material handling solutions, including picking and packing technologies
• Strong organizational, time management, prioritization, multitasking, decision-making, problem-solving, interpersonal, and analytical skills
• Ability to work effectively under deadlines; self-starter with an innovative, team-oriented, and customer-focused mindset
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook

This role is an on-site position working out of Reno, NV.

Pay range

An employee in this position can expect an annual starting rate between $85,000-95,000, depending on experience, seniority, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.