Distribution Centre Infrastructure Program Lead

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. If you want to be a part of our fast-paced and exciting Apple team, join us as the Regional Distribution Centre Infrastructure Program Lead. This is a regional role based in Singapore responsible for the region’s infrastructure projects including but not limited to, formulating business propositions, goals and deliverables, creating detailed project plans, and tracking projects to completion while meeting quality standards. This role will oversee from formulation to the execution and hyper-care of automation solutions, working with internal stakeholders and supporting the DC site leaders in managing the 3rd party vendors towards delivering various automation projects against deliverables.

Description

FUNCTIONAL - Collaborate with an extended team of subject matter experts on technical, systemic or non-operational issues that arise during the project lifecycle, ensuring a bridge and stitch against operational processes covering E2E of the project. Including but not limited to, automation engineers, WW Automation Steering Committee teams; Technical and Product Ops, Industrial Engineering and Innovation, Finance, GSSM, IS&T, DC operations, and 3PL vendors to deliver E2E comprehensive infrastructure projects for the regional Distribution Centres.

- Review and drive quality in achievement actions including but not limited to hiring, training, performance evaluation, and team R&R to achieve goals.

- Lead communication and engagement to Leadership covering reasons for implementation updates. Develop structured cadence and approvals to facilitate close updates and approvals. Interact with different stakeholders including senior management, vendors, and end-users. Present project updates, listen to feedback, and manage expectations to ensure everyone is aligned with the project's direction.

- Document and track performance post-launch. Drive post-launch reviews and improvement plans where required to ensure deliverables are achieved.

- Continuously look for opportunities to improve existing automation processes. Analyze data from automated systems to identify bottlenecks and areas for optimization.

- Establish a robust structure to ensure 3PLs have appropriate team structures in place to support scalability and sustainability post-launch.

- Facilitate change management programs in automation projects to minimize risk and productivity issues in a new post-automation environment.

- Support the cross-functional teams in capital project reasons.

- Develop executable BCPs post-automation within the supply chain network.

STANDARDISATION AND STRUCTURE - Document and maintain a technical playbook, in concert with WW resources, updating on the latest relevant automation technologies such as, but not limited to, conveyance technologies, robotic process automation (RPA), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and industrial automation software. Bridge the playbook to a structured DC tiering playbook to provide best-in-class infrastructure recommendations for the regional Distribution Centres.

- Collaborate and work with SME on 1st level knowledge on the suite of automation equipment available at disposal, the latest technology, and be the bridge between Apple and the industry on the latest technology in the market. Facilitate industry speakers/latest market showcases/industry visits/sessions.

- Project planning using tools like Gantt charts, PERT diagrams.

- Budgeting and cost-control skills.

- Risk management to identify and mitigate potential project risks.

- Knowledge of Agile and Waterfall project management methodologies.

- Team-building skills to foster a collaborative work environment.

- Delegation skills to assign tasks effectively.

- Performance management to evaluate and improve team members' work.

- Conflict-resolution skills to handle internal team disputes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field. Equivalent proven experience will be considered.
• Min 5 years of experience in logistics or supply chain with in-depth functional knowledge of key logistics processes.
• Equipped with strong business and operations knowledge within the relevant field, including but not limited to, B2C, Retail operations.
• Strong vendor management skills and working experience with major 3PLs in APAC.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in B2B or B2C leading company is highly advantageous.
• Strong project management experience and group development skills.
• Leadership Skills with experience in leading teams, with strong decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Highly adaptable and resilient to the challenges of a dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills. Strong written communication for reports and documentation. Verbal communication to present to stakeholders and lead team meetings. Interpersonal skills to interact with internal and end-users, and other departments.
• Strong data analysis to evaluate the performance of automated processes. Process-mapping skills to understand and optimize workflows. Ability to conduct root cause analysis of automation failures.
• Ability to build effective relationships in a cross-functional team.
• Positive energy and attitude with a thirst for personal growth.
• Automation and analytical programming will be a strong advantage (Proficiency in automation software and tools like RPA platforms (Example: UiPath, Automation Anywhere), PLC programming languages (Example: Ladder Logic) and knowledge of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems preferred.
• Experience in handling projects and using project management methodologies like Agile or Waterfall.