Sysco · 1 day ago
Facilities Planning and Automation Director
Houston, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
15+ years expSysco is a leading foodservice distribution company, and they are seeking a Facilities Planning and Automation Director responsible for the tactical execution and continuous improvement of warehouse infrastructure and automation systems. The role involves collaborating with various teams to ensure safe, efficient, and scalable solutions across the network while managing rack systems, capacity planning, and exploring emerging automation technologies.
Electrical DistributionFood and BeverageFood DeliveryHealth CareHospitalityLogisticsMarketingMeat and PoultryRestaurantsSales
Hiring Manager
Cerynthia Sostand, MBA
Responsibilities
Develop, implement, and maintain rack standards and best practices in coordination with Operations, Construction, Field Maintenance and EHS teams
Lead rack design initiatives, including layout optimization and structural integrity assessments
Chair Sysco Rack Taskforce
Manage procurement processes and oversee installation projects to ensure compliance with safety and operational requirements
Manage site-level slotting and throughput capacity utilization reporting to support operational efficiency
Develop and maintain long-range capacity forecasting models to guide infrastructure and automation investments
Partner with Operations and Planning teams to align capacity strategies with business growth and seasonal demand
Identify constraints and recommend tactical solutions to optimize space and throughput across the network
Monitor and report on Miniload system performance, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement
Chair a cross functional Miniload committee made up of SC Engineering, operations, BT, and maintenance to ensure actions are taken to maintain system uptime and reliability
Deliver training programs and provide field support to operational teams using Miniload systems
Develop long-term strategies for Miniload system lifecycle management, including end-of-life planning and replacement roadmaps
Explore and evaluate emerging warehouse automation technologies, including robotics, AS/RS, and AI-driven solutions
Build business cases and lead pilot programs to test new technologies in live environments
Cultivate relationships with vendors and stay current on industry trends and innovations
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align automation initiatives with broader supply chain strategies
Qualification
Required
Proven experience in warehouse infrastructure, automation systems, or industrial engineering
Strong project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives
Familiarity with safety standards and operational protocols in warehouse environments
Experience with data analysis and capacity modeling tools
Excellent communication and vendor management skills
Experience leading a team of technical specialists, project managers and third party personnel. (6 to 18 depending on project load)
Minimum 15 years work experience
BS degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Research, or equivalent work experience required
Computer literacy including Excel, Powerpoint, MS Word and Outlook
CAD and SQL
Requires technical warehouse rack engineering and slotting acumen in order to account for labor, capital, product usage and inventory in decision-making
Self-motivated with the ability to overcome obstacles to achieve objectives and complete projects on time
Highly organized, able to set priorities and manage time effectively
Capable of staffing, training, and leading a professional team to achieve departmental goals
Skilled in influencing stakeholders at all organizational levels
Embraces and drives change, creating breakthrough strategies and plans
Fosters a high-performance culture and coaches team members for growth
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization
Advanced analytical skills to evaluate operational, financial, and statistical data
Proven ability to identify, define, and resolve problems using fact-based methods and deep operational knowledge
Skilled in planning, organizing, executing, controlling, and evaluating initiatives
Effective at engaging with diverse stakeholders to clarify requirements and implement solutions
Acts with initiative to positively affect Sysco's overall goals
Provides accurate, timely information to support operational objectives
Preferred
MBA
Company
Sysco
Sysco sells, markets, and distributes food products to restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality businesses.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Sysco has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (5)
2024 (2)
2023 (8)
2022 (7)
2021 (7)
2020 (6)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$4.25BKey Investors
Bank of America
2025-09-05Post Ipo Debt· $3B
2025-02-25Post Ipo Debt· $1.25B
1978-01-13IPO
Leadership Team
Kevin Hourican
President and CEO
Peter Jackson
Chief Executive Officer Sysco Europe
Recent News
2026-01-22
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2026-01-08
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