Operational Risk Manager Jobs in Winona, MN (NOW HIRING)

Build Your Career with Ashley Furniture- Where Innovation Meets Comfort

Who We Are:

At Ashley, inspiring the love of home is at the heart of everything we do. As the world’s largest manufacturer of home furnishings, we’re more than a business — we’re a family driven by innovation, competitiveness, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We persevere through challenges, push beyond the status quo, and constantly seek better ways to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Our solutions-first mindset and dedication to growth are why Ashley remains #1 in our industry.

If you’re ready to grow, you’ve come to the right place. With a true “Growth Mindset,” Ashley Furniture invests in developing future leaders and helps every team member learn from the best in the business.

If you are a current Ashley employee: Please login to your UKG account and apply using the internal job board.

Summary:

As a Senior Warehouse Automation Process Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in transforming our distribution centers into cutting-edge Smart Warehouses. You will lead the design and implementation of high-speed automated equipment, leveraging advanced robotics, PLC programming, and 2D and 3D modeling applications. In this senior role, you will develop custom automated solutions, ensure seamless integration with existing systems, and drive strategic decisions to optimize automation processes. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, offer expert technical guidance, and oversee the entire project lifecycle. Additionally, you will mentor junior engineers, nurturing their professional growth. Your extensive experience will be essential in maintaining our competitive edge and adapting to the evolving demands of the industry.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Visionary Planning:

• Develop and execute a long-term strategic roadmap for warehouse automation, aligning it with company goals and competitive market trends.
• Lead high-level strategy sessions with senior leadership to identify key areas for automation investments and innovation.
• Identify and implement cutting-edge robotics and automation technologies that provide a competitive edge while improving operational efficiency.

Advanced System Design & Integration:

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced automated systems for large-scale, multi-site warehouse operations.
• Create and oversee detailed engineering plans, process flow diagrams, and system layouts, ensuring they are aligned with strategic and operational objectives.
• Lead the integration of automated systems with WMS (Warehouse Management Systems), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), and other enterprise-level IT systems for cohesive operations.

Risk Mitigation & Compliance Oversight:

• Conduct thorough and advanced risk assessments, developing comprehensive mitigation strategies and contingency plans for automated systems to ensure operational reliability and safety.
• Ensure all automated processes and systems comply with international safety and industry standards, leading regular audits and compliance reviews to enforce adherence and identify areas for improvement.

Complex Project Management:

• Oversee the installation, commissioning, and testing phases of complex, multi-faceted automation projects, ensuring all milestones are delivered on time and within budget.
• Manage large-scale project timelines, budgets, and resources meticulously, using your senior-level experience to handle complex, multi-site implementations.
• Coordinate with project managers, executive stakeholders, and global partners, aligning automation projects with broader organizational and strategic goals.

Technical Expertise & Innovation:

• Provide high-level technical support and troubleshooting, drawing on your deep and diverse expertise to solve complex automation challenges and streamline operations.
• Develop advanced monitoring and analysis frameworks for system performance, making strategic, data-driven adjustments to optimize efficiency and throughput.
• Continually lead evaluations of emerging automation technologies and trends, identifying opportunities to incorporate innovative solutions into our warehouse operations.

Mentorship & Development:

• Mentor and develop junior engineers and technical staff, fostering their professional growth and ensuring they are equipped with the latest industry knowledge and skills.
• Lead collaborative workshops and training sessions for cross-functional teams and warehouse staff on advanced automation and maintenance techniques.
• Establish a culture of continuous learning and innovation within the engineering team.

Strategic Vendor & Partner Management:

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, vendors, and technology partners globally, negotiating optimal contracts and sourcing the best automation solutions.
• Lead high-level negotiations and procurement processes to ensure the acquisition of best-in-class automation technology.
• Oversee vendor performance and adherence to SLAs (Service Level Agreements) and other contractual commitments.
• Evaluate and lead the selection of third-party contractors and consultants for specialized automation projects.

Documentation & Process Improvement:

• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for all automation processes, procedures, technical manuals, and changes, fostering a culture of transparency and continuous improvement.
• Implement advanced process improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma or Lean to optimize and refine warehouse operations.
• Develop reporting and analytics dashboards for tracking and communicating the performance and impact of automation systems to executive leadership.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Actively seek and incorporate feedback from system users, stakeholders, and customers, using it to refine and enhance system performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives backed by customer insights, performance data, and industry best practices to enhance system efficiency and reliability.
• Develop customer-oriented solutions, ensuring automation systems meet or exceed customer expectations in terms of quality, efficiency, and reliability.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 7-10+ years of experience in warehouse, distribution center, logistics, or automated material handling environments.
• Proven experience leading large-scale warehouse automation projects from concept through implementation.
• Strong knowledge of automated material handling systems, robotics, conveyor systems, sortation equipment, ASRS, AMRs, and AGVs.
• Experience integrating automation systems with WMS, ERP, and other enterprise software platforms.
• Demonstrated project management experience managing budgets, schedules, vendors, and resources.
• Ability to travel up to 30-50% as required.

Additional Qualifications, preferred:

• Master's Degree in Engineering or related field.
• Experience with PLC programming and industrial controls.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Revit, FlexSim, or similar design and simulation software.
• Experience with warehouse network design and multi-site automation deployments.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent certification.
• Knowledge of Industry 4.0, AI-enabled automation, machine vision, and digital twin technologies.
• Experience within high-volume distribution, e-commerce, retail, or manufacturing operations.
• Strategic thinking and leadership
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• Project management and organizational excellence
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Customer-focused approach with a solutions-oriented mindset
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across cross-functional teams
• Professionalism, integrity, and accountability

Work Environment:

This position is located in an active industrial manufacturing and distribution center with moderate to high noise levels, temperature variations, and material handling equipment in operation. The role may require extended periods of standing or walking on concrete floors and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses and steel-toed boots. The fast-paced environment involves time-sensitive and safety sensitive operations and may include various shift schedules to support production and distribution needs.

Benefits We Offer:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off; increases with years of service
• Generous Employee Discount on home furnishings
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Ashley Wellness Centers (location specific)
• 401(k) and Profit Sharing
• Life Insurance

Our Core Values:

• Honesty & Integrity: Acts with transparency, discretion, and ethical judgment. Trusted to handle sensitive information and provide accurate, unbiased insights.

• (Dirty Fingernail: Takes full accountability for outcomes, not just tasks. Inspects details, ensures data accuracy, and follows through to completion.

• Continuous Improvement: Actively seeks better ways to improve templates, tools, and processes. Learns from prior initiatives and embeds lessons into standard work.

• Growth & Results Focus: Understands how transformation initiatives drive growth, cost reduction, and profitability. Keeps work aligned to enterprise priorities.

• Culture of Leadership: Leads through influence, reliability, and example. Builds trust across functions and supports leaders at every level.

• Customer-Centric & Boundaryless: Works across silos for the greater good of the organization. Ensures outputs meet the needs of executives, initiative owners, and teams.

• Operational Excellence: Demonstrates strong organizational discipline, attention to detail, and the ability to translate ambiguity into clear, executable tools.

Interested in learning more about Ashley Furniture’s Community Engagement programs, Environmental Stewardship, or our Core Values, click the links below:

Corporate Social Responsibility

View Our Corporate Brochure

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide a drug-free working environment. While Ashley appreciates the interest of all candidates only those meeting specific position requirements may be contacted. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Notice to Search Firms:We are not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms. We will not pay any placement, referral or other fees to any search firms unless we have agreed otherwise in a valid, written agreement for the specific position posted and signed by an authorized representative of Ashley Furniture Industries.

* Please note this position is not eligible for current or future employment sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or at any time in the future.