What are the responsibilities and job description for the TikTok Shop - Automation, Process Optimization & Operational Efficiency Manager, Fulfillment Center position at TikTok?
Responsibilities
About the role
We are a fast-growing U.S.-based overseas warehousing and fulfillment provider specializing in high-volume B2C cross-border e-commerce. To support our 3–5 year scaling strategy, we are seeking a highly technical and strategic leader to drive our next generation of fulfillment automation, lean process engineering, and cost-optimization initiatives.
This is not a maintenance role. This is a greenfield and brownfield transformation role. You will own the roadmap from manual workflows to semi-automated/fully automated sortation, pick-pack, and value-added services (VAS). You will be expected to deliver double-digit productivity gains while reducing cost-per-order in a highly cross-border logistics environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Automation Roadmap & Capital Execution
- Design and execute a 3-year automation master plan for 200K–1M sq ft warehouse facilities, including ASRS, AMR/AGV, goods-to-person (G2P), robotic picking, automated packing, and high-speed sortation systems.
- Lead end-to-end capital projects: business case development, ROI modeling (payback < 2 years), vendor selection, site layout re-engineering, installation, commissioning, and hypercare.
- Partner with real-estate and operations teams to integrate automation into new site launches and existing facility retrofits.
2. Process Optimization & Lean Transformation
- Map, analyze, and re-engineer all B2C fulfillment workflows: inbound receiving, putaway, inventory accuracy, wave planning, picking (piece/piece), packing, labeling, carrier sorting, and returns processing.
- Implement Lean Six Sigma / Toyota Production System methodologies to eliminate waste (muda), unevenness (mura), and overburden (muri) across labor-driven processes.
- Deploy standardized work, visual management, and error-proofing (poka-yoke) to reduce defects, mis-ships, and damage rates.
3. Efficiency & Labor Productivity
- Establish a labor management system (LMS) with engineered labor standards (ELS) and performance-based incentive models.
- Drive units-per-man-hour (UPH) , on-time shipment (OTS) , and cost-per-order (CPO) KPIs to best-in-class 3PL benchmarks.
- Optimize wave planning and order batching algorithms to maximize pick density and minimize travel time (both manual and automated).
4. Cost Optimization
- Identify and deliver $5M annualized cost savings through automation, packaging optimization, carrier consolidation, and waste reduction.
- Redesign slotting strategies to reduce handling touches and storage cube utilization.
- Collaborate with procurement to negotiate favorable terms with automation suppliers and MRO vendors.
5. Cross-Functional & Bilingual Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary technical translator between U.S. ops teams and Chinese headquarters/engineering teams—converting operational pain points into clear technical requirements and vice versa.
- Present monthly business reviews (MBRs) and quarterly capital review decks to C-suite, articulating trade-offs between CapEx, OpEx, throughput, and service levels.
- Train and mentor operations managers, shift leads, and continuous improvement specialists on new automation systems and lean tools.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Research, Supply Chain Management, or related field. MBA or Master’s in IE/SCM strongly preferred.
- Experience: 5 years of progressive experience in warehouse automation, process engineering, or operational excellence within high-volume B2C fulfillment (minimum 50K orders/day).
- Automation Track Record: Proven hands-on leadership in at least 2 major automation deployments (e.g., AMR fleets >50 units, AutoStore, shuttle systems, robotic arms, or high-speed cross-belt sorters) from conception to go-live.
- Lean/Six Sigma: Black Belt certification (or equivalent demonstrated impact) with quantifiable results (e.g., 30% productivity lift, 40% defect reduction).
- Data & Systems: Advanced proficiency in WMS (e.g., Manhattan, Blue Yonder, or proprietary), data analytics (SQL, Power BI/Tableau), and simulation modeling (e.g., FlexSim, AnyLogic).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with cross-border e-commerce (China-to-US supply chain, FBA labeling, customs compliance, multi-carrier small-parcel).
- Background in MHE (material handling equipment) controls integration or basic PLC/SCADA knowledge.
- Prior P&L responsibility or site GM experience.
- Existing network of automation vendors (Honeywell, Dematic, Knapp, Hai Robotics, Geek , Syrius, etc.).
About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
About the role
We are a fast-growing U.S.-based overseas warehousing and fulfillment provider specializing in high-volume B2C cross-border e-commerce. To support our 3–5 year scaling strategy, we are seeking a highly technical and strategic leader to drive our next generation of fulfillment automation, lean process engineering, and cost-optimization initiatives.
This is not a maintenance role. This is a greenfield and brownfield transformation role. You will own the roadmap from manual workflows to semi-automated/fully automated sortation, pick-pack, and value-added services (VAS). You will be expected to deliver double-digit productivity gains while reducing cost-per-order in a highly cross-border logistics environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Automation Roadmap & Capital Execution
- Design and execute a 3-year automation master plan for 200K–1M sq ft warehouse facilities, including ASRS, AMR/AGV, goods-to-person (G2P), robotic picking, automated packing, and high-speed sortation systems.
- Lead end-to-end capital projects: business case development, ROI modeling (payback < 2 years), vendor selection, site layout re-engineering, installation, commissioning, and hypercare.
- Partner with real-estate and operations teams to integrate automation into new site launches and existing facility retrofits.
2. Process Optimization & Lean Transformation
- Map, analyze, and re-engineer all B2C fulfillment workflows: inbound receiving, putaway, inventory accuracy, wave planning, picking (piece/piece), packing, labeling, carrier sorting, and returns processing.
- Implement Lean Six Sigma / Toyota Production System methodologies to eliminate waste (muda), unevenness (mura), and overburden (muri) across labor-driven processes.
- Deploy standardized work, visual management, and error-proofing (poka-yoke) to reduce defects, mis-ships, and damage rates.
3. Efficiency & Labor Productivity
- Establish a labor management system (LMS) with engineered labor standards (ELS) and performance-based incentive models.
- Drive units-per-man-hour (UPH) , on-time shipment (OTS) , and cost-per-order (CPO) KPIs to best-in-class 3PL benchmarks.
- Optimize wave planning and order batching algorithms to maximize pick density and minimize travel time (both manual and automated).
4. Cost Optimization
- Identify and deliver $5M annualized cost savings through automation, packaging optimization, carrier consolidation, and waste reduction.
- Redesign slotting strategies to reduce handling touches and storage cube utilization.
- Collaborate with procurement to negotiate favorable terms with automation suppliers and MRO vendors.
5. Cross-Functional & Bilingual Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary technical translator between U.S. ops teams and Chinese headquarters/engineering teams—converting operational pain points into clear technical requirements and vice versa.
- Present monthly business reviews (MBRs) and quarterly capital review decks to C-suite, articulating trade-offs between CapEx, OpEx, throughput, and service levels.
- Train and mentor operations managers, shift leads, and continuous improvement specialists on new automation systems and lean tools.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Research, Supply Chain Management, or related field. MBA or Master’s in IE/SCM strongly preferred.
- Experience: 5 years of progressive experience in warehouse automation, process engineering, or operational excellence within high-volume B2C fulfillment (minimum 50K orders/day).
- Automation Track Record: Proven hands-on leadership in at least 2 major automation deployments (e.g., AMR fleets >50 units, AutoStore, shuttle systems, robotic arms, or high-speed cross-belt sorters) from conception to go-live.
- Lean/Six Sigma: Black Belt certification (or equivalent demonstrated impact) with quantifiable results (e.g., 30% productivity lift, 40% defect reduction).
- Data & Systems: Advanced proficiency in WMS (e.g., Manhattan, Blue Yonder, or proprietary), data analytics (SQL, Power BI/Tableau), and simulation modeling (e.g., FlexSim, AnyLogic).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with cross-border e-commerce (China-to-US supply chain, FBA labeling, customs compliance, multi-carrier small-parcel).
- Background in MHE (material handling equipment) controls integration or basic PLC/SCADA knowledge.
- Prior P&L responsibility or site GM experience.
- Existing network of automation vendors (Honeywell, Dematic, Knapp, Hai Robotics, Geek , Syrius, etc.).
About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.