Program Manager

Our client is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead operational readiness for a major warehouse automation implementation within a distribution center. This person will coordinate the process changes, testing, training, and change management needed to successfully introduce automated storage and retrieval technology into day-to-day warehouse operations. The implementation partner will be responsible for installing the automation technology and integrating it with the organization’s warehouse management system.

The Program Manager will oversee the broader operational work required to prepare the distribution center for launch and ensure the solution effectively supports real-world business needs. Strong distribution center and warehouse operations experience is essential. Candidates should have a strong understanding of receiving, replenishment, put-away, and picking, along with experience introducing automation, robotics, or automated material handling technology into an operational environment.

• Build and manage the operational implementation plan, including milestones, dependencies, risks, and readiness activities
• Partner with warehouse leadership, IT, business stakeholders, and implementation partners to align technology deployment with warehouse processes
• Define and document future-state workflows for receiving, replenishment, put-away, and picking
• Coordinate change management, standard operating procedures, employee training, and adoption activities
• Develop and coordinate operational testing, including initial inventory loading, end-to-end workflows, exception scenarios, and launch readiness
• Address the needs of a significant will-call/customer pickup operation, including how urgent customer requests will be prioritized and fulfilled when inventory is stored within an automated system
• Establish contingency procedures for equipment failures, system outages, and other operational disruptions
• Coordinate go-live preparation and post-launch stabilization, ensuring issues have clear owners and are resolved promptly
• Serve as a key liaison between warehouse operations, technology teams, business stakeholders, and external implementation partners

• Program or project management experience leading complex operational implementations
• Strong, hands‑on knowledge of distribution center operations, including receiving, replenishment, put‑away, and picking
• Experience implementing warehouse automation, robotics, automated material handling, or comparable technologies
• Ability to translate warehouse operating requirements into practical workflows, testing plans, and operational readiness activities
• Experience coordinating internal stakeholders and external implementation vendors or partners
• Strong communication, change management, risk management, and issue-resolution skills
• Ability to work onsite in Illinois five days per week

• Experience with automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) or similar warehouse automation technologies
• Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS)
• Experience with WMS/ERP integrations
• Experience supporting distribution environments with substantial will‑call, customer pickup, or urgent fulfillment activity
• Experience leading warehouse automation implementations from planning through go‑live and stabilization

Location:

Chicago, IL

Pay Range:
The approximate pay range for this position is between $70.00 and $100.00. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and location. We comply with local wage…