Senior Solutions Engineering Manager

Crane Worldwide Logistics is a leader in supply chain solutions with over 130 locations across 30 countries providing individual services that address our client's logistics challenges.

The Senior Solutions Engineering Manager – EMEIA is responsible for leading the engineering and technical solutions function in support of new business development, strategic customer opportunities, and operational excellence across the EMEIA region.

The role is responsible for developing innovative, cost-effective, and scalable warehouse and supply chain solutions that support business growth, improve operational performance, and enhance customer value. Working closely with Commercial, Operations, Business Development, Finance, Procurement, and customers, the Senior Solutions Engineering Manager will lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of Contract Logistics solutions across multiple countries.

**APPLICANTS MUST HAVE PERMISSION TO RESIDE AND WORK GERMANY**

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Solutions Design & Business Development

• Lead the engineering design process for strategic Contract Logistics opportunities across EMEIA.
• Analyse customer operational data to develop innovative and commercially competitive logistics solutions.
• Design warehouse layouts, operational workflows, and material handling solutions.
• Produce conceptual layouts, process flow diagrams, warehouse profiles, labour models, and storage strategies.
• Develop resource models and operational costing to support pricing submissions.
• Prepare technical content for customer proposals, presentations, and solution documentation.
• Support commercial teams during customer presentations, workshops, and solution reviews.
• Ensure all proposed solutions align with customer requirements and Crane operational standards.

Request for Proposal (RFP) Support

• Analyse customer operational data to support solution development.
• Deliver engineered labour and resource requirements to support pricing models.
• Produce technical solution documentation for inclusion in written client proposals.
• Develop conceptual warehouse layouts using AutoCAD.
• Create material flow diagrams, inventory profiling, and order analytics.
• Prepare budgetary estimates for warehouse equipment and automation solutions.
• Support tender responses from initial qualification through contract award.

Operational Engineering & Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate operational performance across existing Contract Logistics sites.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, quality, safety, and customer service.
• Develop engineered solutions to optimise warehouse layouts, storage capacity, inventory flow, and labour utilisation.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives using Lean methodologies and operational best practice.
• Support network optimisation projects across EMEIA.
• Develop standard engineering methodologies and best practices.

Automation & Technology

• Evaluate automation opportunities within existing and new operations.
• Develop business cases, financial analysis, and return on investment (ROI) calculations for automation projects.
• Recommend appropriate warehouse technologies including:
• Conveyor systems
• Sortation systems
• Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)
• Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
• Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
• Robotic Picking Solutions
• Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
• Support procurement and vendor selection processes.
• Manage implementation of approved automation projects.

Project Management

• Lead engineering workstreams for new customer implementations.
• Develop implementation plans, timelines, and project deliverables.
• Coordinate cross-functional project teams across multiple countries.
• Monitor project progress, risks, budgets, and deliverables.
• Ensure engineering projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Leadership

• Lead and develop the regional Solutions Engineering team.
• Allocate engineering resources across regional projects.
• Coach and mentor engineering professionals.
• Promote collaboration between Commercial, Operations, Procurement, Finance, and IT.
• Drive a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and customer focus.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead engineering support for strategic Contract Logistics opportunities throughout EMEIA.
• Develop innovative warehouse and automation solutions.
• Support regional business development and customer retention.
• Deliver technically robust and commercially competitive engineering solutions.
• Improve operational efficiency through engineering excellence.
• Lead regional engineering projects and implementations.
• Develop engineering standards across the region.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Support operational excellence initiatives across Contract Logistics.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business or related discipline.
• Master's Degree desirable.
• Minimum 15 years' experience in industrial engineering, warehouse design, supply chain management, or Contract Logistics.
• Extensive experience within Third-Party Logistics (3PL), retail distribution, manufacturing, e-commerce or consumer goods.
• Demonstrated experience designing warehouse layouts and operational workflows.
• Strong experience developing engineered labour standards and labour models.
• Extensive experience using AutoCAD.
• Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Strong understanding of warehouse automation technologies.
• Experience developing business cases, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and Return on Investment (ROI) analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent presentation and customer-facing communication skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI, Visio, SQL, SmartSheet and Access skills.
• Proven project management experience across complex regional projects.
• Strong commercial awareness and financial acumen.
• Ability to work across multiple countries and cultures.

Desirable

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
• Prince2, PMP or equivalent Project Management qualification.
• Experience implementing warehouse automation projects internationally.
• Experience with simulation and warehouse modelling software.
• Experience supporting multinational logistics operations.
• Knowledge of regional logistics regulations and compliance requirements.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Leadership
• Customer Focus
• Strategic Thinking
• Commercial Awareness
• Engineering Excellence
• Innovation
• Analytical Thinking
• Project Management
• Problem Solving
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Continuous Improvement
• Decision Making
• Planning & Organisation
• Stakeholder Management

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

• Win rate of engineering-supported proposals.
• Accuracy of engineering cost models.
• Timely delivery of engineering support for customer opportunities.
• Project implementation performance (cost, quality, schedule).
• Customer satisfaction during solution design and implementation.
• Productivity improvements delivered across Contract Logistics operations.
• ROI achieved on automation investments.
• Continuous improvement initiatives implemented.
• Engineering team development and capability growth.

DECISION MAKING

The Senior Solutions Engineering Manager is responsible for making technical and engineering decisions relating to warehouse design, operational efficiency, automation solutions, and customer proposals. The role exercises significant judgement in evaluating commercial opportunities, balancing operational requirements with financial objectives, and recommending engineering solutions that support regional business growth. Strategic decisions with significant financial or operational impact are made in conjunction with senior leadership.

CONFIDENTIALITY

This role has access to commercially sensitive customer information, pricing models, engineering designs, business development strategies, and operational data. The post holder must maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and comply with all company policies relating to data protection, information security, and confidentiality.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Crane Worldwide Logistics is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees and applicants are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, colour, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local law.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities in recruitment, training, career development, promotion, compensation, and all other aspects of employment. We value diversity and believe that an inclusive workforce strengthens our organisation, enhances innovation, and better serves our customers across the EMEIA region.