IT Automation Engineer

Ready to Join the Backstage Crew?

At Bleckmann, we’ve been delivering on promises since 1862. As a market leader in supply chain management for fashion and lifestyle brands, we keep the show running behind the scenes - from moving boxes to moving data, from pack & ship to IT and HR.

But we’re not just logistics experts. We’re The Backstage Crew - a tight-knit team of 6,500+ people who make fashion and lifestyle brands shine by doing the work that matters most, out of the spotlight but never out of impact.

Whether you're on the warehouse floor or behind a screen, you’ll find:

• Strong connections with colleagues who support and celebrate you.

• Fast growth in a company that’s expanding across Europe, the US, and Asia.

• High energy in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same.

• Guided freedom to take initiative, solve problems your way, and grow your career.

We believe in entrepreneurship, expertise, excellence, and engagement - and we live these values every day. From repairing returned goods to reducing waste, we help brands extend product lifecycles with sustainability in mind.

So if you’re ready to roll out the red carpet for our clients - and for each other - we’ve got a spot for you.

Behind the scenes is where the real excitement begins. Ready to join us?

Purpose of the Job

At Bleckmann, we drive logistics excellence through engineering and innovation, focusing on warehousing and supply chain optimization. Bleckmann initiated its automation journey and aims to make the most of it, running automation systems such as AutoStore/KCC, WCS platforms (e.g. Parallel, Enjoy Automation), and robotic picking solutions (HAI, Kardex).

The IT Automation Engineer plays a critical role in the rollout of new warehouse automation projects, acting as the connecting link between automation suppliers, warehouse operations, and internal IT - from initial requirements through to go-live and ongoing support.

By driving these rollouts, the IT Automation Engineer supports cost reduction, operational scalability, and Bleckmann's innovation agenda, keeping warehouse operations ahead of technological advancements.

Task Description

Requirement Definition & Business Analysis (30%)

• Gather business and operational requirements from warehouse operations for new automation projects.
• Translate requirements into functional specifications, process flows, and system interface definitions together with vendors.
• Analyze current warehouse processes to identify where automation adds value and where system design needs adjustment.
• Validate proposed system design against operational reality through site visits, testing, and feedback loops.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Project Follow-up (40%)

• Act as the main point of contact between automation suppliers, warehouse operations, internal IT teams (networking, infrastructure/sysadmins, WMS team), and the on-site LEAP implementation team.
• Coordinate and follow up on project planning, milestones, and open issues with suppliers and site teams.
• Work hands-on with the LEAP (automation) implementation team on site during rollout, staying close to the physical/technical realities of installation and commissioning.
• Facilitate workshops and design/kick-off sessions with stakeholders across IT and operations.
• Involve the right internal IT department (network, infra, WMS) when a project requires it, and ensure alignment between them, the LEAP implementation team, and the automation supplier.
• Provide regular project status updates to management and site stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement (20%)

• Stay informed of industry trends in warehouse automation, WCS/WES systems, and robotics.
• Identify and recommend improvements to automation processes and system configuration based on operational feedback.
• Document lessons learned and best practices from project rollouts for reuse on future sites/projects.
• Lead post-implementation reviews to capture what worked and what should change for the next rollout.

3rd-Line Supplier Support Management (10%)

• Act as escalation point for 3rd-line support issues with automation suppliers once a system is live.
• Track supplier SLAs and follow up on unresolved technical issues.
• Coordinate between internal IT/operations and the supplier's technical support during complex incidents.
• Act as a senior point of reference for the IT Automation support department, sharing knowledge and experience on complex supplier/support issues.

Your profile

1. Technical Expertise

• Business Understanding: Ability to understand warehouse operational needs and translate them into functional/technical requirements.

• IT Collaboration Skills: Proven ability to work with IT infrastructure, networking, and WMS teams to ensure system feasibility and integration.
• Data Analysis: Ability to analyze system/process data and translate insights into actionable improvements.
• Technology Familiarity: Familiarity with APIs, system integrations, and automation/WCS platforms (e.g. AutoStore/KCC, Parallel, Enjoy Automation, HAI, Kardex) is a strong plus.
• Automation Hardware & Communication: Understanding of conveyor systems and material flow, how PLCs communicate with WCS/WMS layers (e.g. TCP/IP-based protocols, OPC-UA, Profinet), and how WES/WCS systems expose and consume APIs to integrate with WMS and other IT systems, is a strong plus.

2. Experience & Education

• Professional Experience: 5-7 years of relevant experience in IT project management, business analysis, or automation within warehousing/logistics or a comparable technical environment.

• Educational Background: Degree in IT/Software, Supply Chain Management, or Warehouse Automation, or equivalent experience.

3. Personal Qualities & Soft Skills

• Structured and Driven: Can-do mindset, structured approach to problem-solving, drives projects to completion.

• Independent and Hands-on: Proactive, self-starting, comfortable working directly with suppliers, warehouse floor operations, and the on-site implementation team.
• Customer-Oriented: Focuses on understanding and meeting operational needs of the sites.
• Collaborative Mindset: Works effectively across technical and operational stakeholders, including other IT departments.

4. Communication Skills

• Language Proficiency: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and preferably Dutch. Spanish is a plus.

5. Additional Requirements

• Interest in New Technologies: High interest in warehouse automation and robotics innovations.

• Mobility: Driving license and willingness to travel ad-hoc between sites and to supplier meetings.

What we offer

At Bleckmann, you will join an international and diverse organisation where transport plays an important role in the value we deliver to our clients.

We offer:

• A role with direct impact on customer solutions and business development

• Exposure to international clients, carriers and internal stakeholders

• A dynamic environment where requests are varied and often cross-functional

• Guided freedom to take initiative and grow your expertise

• A collaborative team environment with short communication lines

• Hybrid working possibilities, depending on location and business needs

At Bleckmann, we are guided by our values: We take a parachute and jump (Entrepreneurship), we unpack our knowledge (Expertise), we raise the bar with every box (Excellence), and we spark energy that connects (Engagement).