What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Solution Development position at Toyota Automated Logistics?
The Director, Solution Development is responsible for leading the front-end solution development organization across Toyota Automated Logistics Americas. This role connects commercial strategy, customer solution definition, consulting, estimation, application engineering, and solution architecture to accelerate sales growth and improve win rates.
The position serves as the bridge between customer needs and executable solution concepts, ensuring opportunities move efficiently from qualification through concept development while driving standardization, innovation, and technical excellence. The leader is responsible for building a scalable solution development engine that enables faster response times, improved cost accuracy, increased commercial effectiveness, and repeatable customer outcomes.
This position will be based in our Carmel, IN (soon to be Noblesville, IN) headquarters. Candidates need to be able to work in the headquarters location on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The remaining days can be remote.
Job Functions:
Commercial Solution Leadership
- Lead the development of customer-centric automation solutions from opportunity qualification through concept approval.
- Drive solution strategies that improve commercial competitiveness, hit rates, and profitable growth.
- Partner with Business Development, Account Management, Regional Sales, System Sales, and Sales Engineering teams to align commercial and technical priorities.
- Ensure customer challenges are translated into executable solution concepts and business cases.
Consulting & Solution Development Organization
- Lead consulting, solution design, simulation, operational analysis, and associated solution development functions.
- Develop and maintain a high-performing team of consulting engineers, solution architects, and technical leaders.
- Establish clear processes, standards, and methodologies for concept development and customer assessments.
- Drive organizational capability growth through cross-training and upskilling initiatives.
Innovation-to-Sell Process Ownership
- Own the front-end solution development process that supports the Commercial Platform's Innovate-to-Sell strategy.
- Reduce cycle times from qualification to concept lock.
- Improve responsiveness to customers through standardized tools, templates, and repeatable design approaches.
- Create scalable frameworks that enable faster concept generation and ROM development.
Solution Architecture & Standardization
- Develop and maintain a library of configurable-to-order (CtO) solutions by industry and application.
- Promote solution standardization to improve speed, quality, and profitability.
- Drive adoption of common design principles, software strategies, and operational best practices.
Ensure solutions are designed with long-term scalability, software integration, and lifecycle support in mind.
Travel Requirements:
- 30% travel to customer sites
Required Qualifications and Preferred Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (MBA preferred)
- 10 years practical business experience in Material Handling Industry
- Experience in Distribution Operations
- Strong computer skills with: Network Analysis Tools, MS Office, CRM, AutoCAD, AutoMod, SKU Data Analysis, and Visio
- Must be eligible to work in the USA long term without sponsorship.
- Employees must follow all information security policies, protect confidential data, complete required training, and report any suspected security incidents to support our information security controls.
About Toyota Automated Logistics:
Toyota Automated Logistics is your global partner for integrated warehouse automation. Our team combines the talents of Bastian Solutions, Vanderlande’s warehousing business and viastore under one brand to deliver scalable systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services.
In addition to exciting work at a growing company, we offer the following benefits:
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with a company match
- Vacation / Holiday Pay
- Paid Volunteer time off
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Professional Associations, Conferences and Subscriptions
- Company Meetings & Events
Toyota Automated Logistics does not work with outside recruiting agencies. No solicitation phone calls please.