Head of Solution Design

The Head of Solution Design is responsible for driving the effectiveness, consistency, and strategic direction of Solution Design (SD) across PSA BDP. This role leads the global Contract Logistics Solution Design function, comprising a centralized team of solution design managers and engineers, and provides functional leadership, governance, and technical support to Solution Design teams across all countries. The role acts as the global functional leader for Contract Logistics Solution Design, ensuring that PSA BDP delivers innovative, cost-effective, and operationally excellent solutions that support business growth and customer success.

Key Responsibilities

▪ Establish and maintain global Solution Design standards, methodologies, and guidelines for warehousing, distribution, and value-added logistics operations to ensure consistency, scalability, and operational excellence.

▪ Develop and implement a standardized Solution Design toolbox, frameworks, templates, and training programs to enhance the capabilities of solution designers globally.

▪ Lead the hiring, development, succession planning, and performance management of Solution Design resources in alignment with business growth objectives and strategic priorities.

▪ Provide leadership and governance for strategic customer opportunities, RFQs, RFPs, and contract renewals, ensuring solutions are operationally robust, commercially competitive, and financially viable.

▪ Facilitate and lead requirements gathering workshops with senior stakeholders, customers, product teams, operations, and commercial functions to define business needs and solution requirements.

▪ Partner with external consultants, technology providers, automation vendors, and engineering firms to deliver complex solution design projects, customer proposals, network studies, and operational transformation initiatives.

▪ Provide subject matter expertise for logistics transformation programs involving warehouse automation, digitalization, systems integration, infrastructure design, and application deployment, working closely with solution architects, technical architects, and business product owners.
Drive the evaluation and adoption of emerging logistics technologies, automation solutions, robotics, AI, digital twins, and supply chain innovations to strengthen PSA BDP's competitive position.

▪ Collaborate with business stakeholders to ensure solution architectures are aligned with operational requirements, customer expectations, business strategy, and financial objectives.

▪ Establish governance processes to ensure all proposed solutions comply with corporate standards, regulatory requirements, security policies, and risk management frameworks.

▪ Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, cost optimization, sustainability, automation, and operational resilience across the global contract logistics network.

▪ Develop and maintain strong relationships with key customers, suppliers, technology partners, and industry bodies to support business development and innovation objectives.

▪ Monitor market trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices, translating insights into actionable strategies and solution enhancements for the organization.

▪ Act as the global center of excellence for Contract Logistics Solution Design, providing technical leadership, coaching, and support to regional and country Solution Design teams.

Required Skills, Experience and Educational Qualifications

Experience

▪ Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in Contract Logistics Solution Design, Supply Chain Engineering, Operations Excellence, or related disciplines across multiple industries. Experience in Life Sciences, Healthcare, Electronics, Industrial, Consumer, and Technology sectors will be highly advantageous.

▪ Proven experience leading and developing regional and/or global Solution Design teams within a matrix organization.

▪ Demonstrated expertise in warehouse operations, distribution networks, transportation, automation, robotics, and supply chain optimization.

▪ Extensive experience in designing and implementing complex warehousing and distribution solutions, including manual, semi-automated, and highly automated operations.

▪ Strong commercial acumen with experience supporting large-scale RFQs, RFPs, customer renewals, business case development, and strategic customer engagements.

▪ Experienced working with senior executives, customers, operations teams, technology partners, and external consultants.

▪ Ability to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders while influencing decision-making across all organizational levels.

▪ Strong leadership capabilities with a proven track record of driving change, fostering innovation, and delivering business outcomes in complex environments.

▪ Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior executive levels both internally and externally.

Education

▪ Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Industrial Engineering, Logistics, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.

▪ Master's Degree (MBA, Supply Chain, Engineering, Logistics, or related field) preferred.

Key Capabilities & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of Contract Logistics business models, operational cost drivers, and commercial structures

• In-depth knowledge of warehousing, transportation, and broader supply chain topics

• Advanced Computer Proficiency ( MS Excel, Word, PPT, Visio)

• Understanding of modeling/simulation/CAD tools such as AutoCAD is desirable.

Business Competency

Customer Orientation: Maintains a strong customer focus by understanding business challenges, identifying needs, and developing practical, value-driven solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and long-term partnerships.

Planning & Organizing: Establishes clear priorities, objectives, and execution plans. Effectively manages multiple projects and stakeholders while ensuring timely delivery of high-quality outcomes.

Decision Making: Makes timely, well-informed decisions based on data, experience, and sound judgment. Assesses risks, evaluates alternatives, and balances operational, commercial, and strategic considerations.

Business Acumen: Possesses a strong understanding of financial drivers, profitability, pricing, investment analysis, and value creation within the Contract Logistics business.

Global Mindset: Demonstrates cross-border thinking and an understanding of global supply chain trends, market dynamics, and regional business requirements while promoting organizational alignment.

Strategic Focus: Identifies emerging trends, technologies, and market opportunities. Develops and executes strategies that strengthen competitive advantage and support sustainable business growth.

Leadership & Personal Competencies

Influencing: Builds credibility and trust with stakeholders. Effectively gains commitment, aligns diverse perspectives, and drives decisions that support business objectives.

Communication: Communicates clearly, concisely, and persuasively in both written and verbal formats. Adapts communication style to different audiences and actively listens to understand stakeholder needs.

Commitment to Excel: Demonstrates a passion for continuous improvement and innovation. Challenges conventional thinking, drives best-in-class performance, and remains resilient when faced with obstacles or setbacks.

Collaboration: Promotes teamwork, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional cooperation across regions, functions, and cultures to achieve common goals.

Result orientation: Maintains a strong focus on execution and accountability, consistently delivering high-quality outcomes that support organizational objectives and customer success.