Solutions Engineer

About the role

We are seeking a Solutions Engineer for Supply Chain Network Solutions at Gordon Food Service. This role involves driving the evolution of our supply chain from initial ideation to detailed design, acting as a critical liaison, and translating complex system concepts into clear, actionable insights.

Responsibilities

• Full-Lifecycle Solution Development: Own and drive the solution development process for the Network’s most complex and strategic initiatives from initial ideation and brainstorming, through conceptual development, validation via simulation and modeling, and into the final detailed design phase.
• Technology Thought Leadership & Vendor Partnership: Define and lead the technology strategy by acting as the primary internal thought leader on logistics technology, maintaining a deep understanding of the tech provider landscape. Establish standards for vendor engagement and direct feasibility studies, proof-of-concept projects, and pilot programs to vet emerging technologies.
• Business Case & ROI Justification: Develop comprehensive business cases for network-wide initiatives. Build financial models that articulate ROI and TCO, evaluating the holistic impact on the entire supply chain and presenting clear justification for capital investments.
• Technical Project Leadership & Oversight: Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise throughout the project lifecycle. Define project scopes and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure solutions are delivered on time, within budget, and meet network-wide performance goals.
• Data-Driven Solution Modeling & Validation: Utilize data analytics, simulation, and network modeling tools to validate design concepts. Analyze the flow of inventory across the network to identify systemic constraints and opportunities for improvement.
• Cross-Functional Influence & Community Engagement: Effectively communicate complex solutions to internal stakeholders and serve as a key technical representative and the face of GFS within the broader vendor and technology community. Act as the bridge between Operations, IT, Finance, and our external innovation partners.
• Solution Impact Modeling & Benefits Realization: Partner with the Industrial Engineering team to leverage existing Engineered Labor Standards (ELS) for establishing performance baselines. Use this data to model the projected labor impact of new solutions and to measure post-implementation success against established network KPIs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial, Mechanical, or Supply Chain Engineering, Logistics, or a related field required.
• Master's Degree preferred.
• 5 or more years of progressive experience in a solutions design, supply chain engineering, or logistics strategy role required.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing logistics projects of varying scale required.
• Experience collaborating with and managing technology vendors on solution evaluation, feasibility studies, or proof-of-concept projects required.
• Experience in end-to-end supply chain network design or integrating solutions across manufacturing and distribution environments preferred.
• Proficient in Warehouse Design tools like AutoCAD or related software.
• Experience with discrete event simulation software (e.g., FlexSim), digital twin platforms, or other Operations Research (OR) modeling tools is highly desirable.
• Advanced proficiency in Google Apps and data analysis/querying tools (SQL, Alteryx, BI-Query, etc.).
• Leverage Lean Six Sigma and/or other CI methodologies experience preferred.
• Expert knowledge of material handling automation and a deep curiosity for emerging logistics technologies and industry trends.
• Strong vendor relationship management skills, with the ability to partner effectively to drive innovation and evaluate solutions.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain principles, including manufacturing logistics, inventory management, and transportation.
• Familiarity with Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Yard Management Systems (YMS), and their integration with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Strong consultative skills, with the ability to guide stakeholders from initial ideation to a final, concrete technical specification.
• Ability to develop financial models (ROI, TCO) to build compelling business cases.
• Able to mine and analyze large datasets from multiple systems using tools like SQL or BigQuery or Alteryx.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain principles, including manufacturing logistics, inventory management, and transportation.
• Familiarity with Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Yard Management Systems (YMS), and their integration with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Strong consultative skills, with the ability to guide stakeholders from initial ideation to a final, concrete technical specification.
• Ability to develop financial models (ROI, TCO) to build compelling business cases.
• Able to mine and analyze large datasets from multiple systems using tools like SQL or BigQuery or Alteryx.

Skills

• Warehouse Design tools like AutoCAD or related software.
• Discrete event simulation software (e.g., FlexSim), digital twin platforms, or other Operations Research (OR) modeling tools.
• Google Apps and data analysis/querying tools (SQL, Alteryx, BI-Query, etc.).
• Lean Six Sigma and/or other CI methodologies.
• Material handling automation.
• Emerging logistics technologies and industry trends.
• Vendor relationship management skills.
• Financial modeling (ROI, TCO).
• Data mining and analysis.

Benefits

At Gordon Food Service, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Health insurance options
• Paid time off
• Flexible work schedule
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee discounts

Pay

The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $90,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

This role offers a hybrid work schedule: 4 days in office in Wyoming, MI with 1 day remote.