Manager of Maintenance and Automation Solutions - Abercrombie and Fitch Co.

At Abercrombie & Fitch, quality is in our roots and we’re on a mission to honor this rich heritage. With an unwavering focus on our customer, we strive every day to deliver a unique and welcoming experience, whether in our stores or online. Our five global brands, Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, Hollister Co., Gilly Hicks and Social Tourist, are the embodiment of our passion for incredible product. At the heart of it all is our amazing 500-acre campus, nestled just outside of Columbus, Ohio. With an open workspace, inspiring views, and even a place to gather as a team around the fire pit, our Home Office fosters a diverse and inclusive culture that consistently seeks the input of our associates and focuses on the future. We are looking for leaders, visionaries, and creatives who are willing to roll up their sleeves and write the next chapter in our brand’s legacy.

The Manager of Maintenance and Automation Solutions will lead strategic development, management, and optimization of maintenance and automation systems across two large-scale distribution centers for a leading, global, omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories for men, women and kids. This role is responsible for the full lifecycle, including the roadmap, implementation, and maintenance of automated equipment, robotics, and supporting technologies essential to distribution operations. This leader will drive continuous improvement and equipment reliability, balancing cost-efficiency with high productivity and safety standards. The role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams and oversight of industrial engineers, system engineers, maintenance technicians, and testing/QA personnel.

What will you be doing?

• Develop and manage a comprehensive roadmap for maintenance and automation systems to support current and future distribution needs. 

• Define lifecycle management practices for all equipment, ensuring alignment with company goals and evolving industry standards. 

• Conduct risk assessments and maintain business continuity plans for equipment and automation resources. 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of industrial engineers, system engineers, maintenance technicians, controls techs and QA/testing staff. 

• Foster a culture of safety, innovation, and continuous improvement, supporting professional growth and technical training initiatives. 

• Collaborate with HR to ensure effective staffing, training, and succession planning for all team roles. 

• Oversee preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs to maximize equipment uptime and reliability. 

• Ensure equipment meets regulatory and safety standards, with robust reporting and compliance mechanisms. 

• Lead root cause analyses and corrective actions for equipment failures and implement enhancements to prevent recurrence. 

• Ensure that all systems meet or exceed industry standards and regulatory requirements. Implement rigorous testing, troubleshooting, and validation procedures. 

• Drive the implementation and optimization of advanced automation solutions, robotics, and IoT technologies. 

• Collaborate with IT and other engineering teams to integrate data systems and monitoring tools for real-time equipment insights. 

• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend upgrades to enhance operational efficiency and productivity. 

• Develop and manage the budget for maintenance, equipment lifecycle, and automation projects, optimizing for both cost-efficiency and high performance. 

• Work with Finance and Procurement to negotiate contracts, manage vendor relationships, and drive cost-effective solutions. 

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and improve equipment performance, maintenance efficiency, and team productivity. 

• Implement lean and Six Sigma methodologies to improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime. 

• Lead initiatives to reduce environmental impact, energy usage, and waste associated with equipment and maintenance practices. 

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.  

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities. 

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work under pressure.  

• Willingness to work until the Equipment is back up and running 

What will you need to bring?

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field. 

• 10+ years in maintenance, automation, or engineering leadership roles within a distribution or manufacturing environment; experience in automation is preferred. 

• Strong knowledge of maintenance and automation solutions, including robotics, PLCs and other control systems. 

• Understanding and familiarity with distributed controls architecture. As well as networks from various vendors. 

• General understanding of SCADA systems, graphical object linking and embedding for data sharing and viewing. 

• Proficiency in CAD software  and simulation tools. 

• Proven leadership experience with cross-functional technical teams and third-party vendors. 

• Excellent problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities. 

• Strong financial acumen and experience managing large budgets. 

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies. 

• This role will require on-site presence in the distribution center with occasional travel to other sites for benchmarking or technology evaluations. 

• This role will lead a team of supervisors and technicians and report directly to the head of DC Facilities. 

• This role will require on-site presence in the distribution center with occasional travel to other sites for benchmarking or technology evaluations. 

• This role will lead a team of supervisors and technicians and report directly to the head of DC Facilities. 

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER