Director of Solutions Design

Director of Solutions Design

Why RealCold?

Established in 2022, RealCold was founded to address the unmet needs of the food cold chain sector. By combining high-growth strategic locations, state-of-the-art facilities, and exhaustive offerings that include traditional storage programs and diverse value-added services (including DTC), the company has positioned itself as a collaborative and integrated provider for food retailers, producers, and distributors. This mission is reinforced through its highly bespoke solutioning and customer-centric approach. The RealCold platform operates a national, omni-channel network, inclusive of traditional storage offerings, as well as comprehensive direct-to-consumer programs, which can reach the majority of U.S. consumers within 1- or 2-day ground service. For more information on RealCold, please visit www.realcold.com.

Role Overview:

• Identify the primary pain points of our current and prospective customers, and the areas where RealCold can deliver value to the customer.
• Interact and build relationships directly with internal and external customers and stakeholders to obtain profile data (details on volumes, turns, requirements, etc.) .
• Define customer solutions to deliver optimal value to our customers in a reasonable timeframe and cost, specific to our facilities and customer needs, including, but not limited to, the operational flow and storage design of the customer’s products  
  1. Solutions may include configuration of existing facilities (racking changes, handling equipment, or linear flow adjustments) and design of new RealCold facilities with our real estate construction and development expertise
• Develop solution costs and/or assist in customer pricing.
• Analyze, bid out, and obtain competitive quotes from vendors to ensure optimal return on investment to all stakeholders.
• Estimate and analyze labor costs and content to estimate total solution costs and customer pricing.

Essential Functions and Key Responsibilities:

• Obtain key customer profile data for effective solutions design, such as temperature requirements, inflow and outflow of product, storage requirements, value added services, and other customer requirements
• Analyze, design, and present supply chain solutions to external and internal stakeholders, including sales leads and formal RFP processes.
• Analyze and model storage methodology of inventory, calculate space requirements.
• Engineer storage and material handling equipment.
• Review and analyze customer transportation (parcel and over-the-road modes) requirements and total landed customer cost, to present a compelling solution to stakeholders.
• Analyze, review, and recommend cost-saving initiatives, such as automation, for specific customers and customer segments.
• Customer-facing presentation of solutions, value propositions, and cost analyses.
• Manage the customer solutions process, from receiving external data and internal feedback to holding deadlines.
• Assist in the development and achievement of strategic business process Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics.
• Standardize internal vetting and key milestones / critical path actions to ensure efficiency and alignment among the RealCold team.
• Work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders to develop a holistic customer solution with buy-in from customers, stakeholders, and RealCold functional leaders.
• Build relationships with customers and stakeholders through the solutions engineering, analysis, and design work.
• Aid in the design of new RealCold facilities (greenfield sites, retro-fits, and renovations), utilizing and evolving RealCold’s standard design template.

Requirements of the Position:

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, or similar field
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in designing distribution centers and transportation networks
  1. Experience with e-commerce and/or parcel transportation preferred
  2. 3 years of implementation or project management experience preferred
  3. Cold storage and/or multi-tenant warehouses /distribution center experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent data analysis skills
• Ability to create polished presentations with insightful solutions 
• Exceptional verbal communication skills, with all levels and audiences
• Very strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, for well-created and thoughtful presentations and mathematical analyses
• Knowledge and skill using AutoCAD preferred, but not required
• Exceptional organization and diligence, managing ranging priorities across multiple projects
• Excellent project management and cross-functional management skills
• Ability to analyze complex issues, consider various perspectives, and propose effective solutions
• Skill at maintaining composure and fostering a sense of calm, even when managing urgent priorities

Work Requirements:

• Full-Time onsite working out of the RealCold facility, in Lakeland, FL (between Tampa and Orlando) or Lockhart, TX (between Austin and San Antonio)
• Hours vary depending on deadlines and needs of the company; typical workweeks are standard 40 hours
• Willing to travel about 25%
• Mentor, coach, and instruct direct reports
  1. None initially, but continued plan to add engineering staff and RealCold grows

Physical Requirements:

This is not an all-inclusive list, but it is intended to give an overview physical requirement for this position. Reasonable accommodation will be provided under appropriate circumstances and in accordance with applicable law. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Continually:  Sit, walk, speak, and hear
• Continually:  Type, write, and read
• Occasionally: Stand, carry, lift push and reach up to 15 lbs.

What We Offer You:

• Comprehensive benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, Short- and Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Annual bonus eligibility
• 401(k) Match
• Paid Time Off

RealCold is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.   We believe in providing employment opportunities to all Team Members and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.