Solutions Design Manager

Grade: RCS Grade I Contract Type: Permanent (Full-Time) Location: Remote, with weekly attendance at Rugby, Valley Cross, plus travel to sites as required Design operations that work in the real world. DHL Supply Chain is the world's leading logistics company, and our Solutions Design team is at the forefront of innovation, crafting tailored supply chain solutions that drive success on a global scale.

Some people arrive in Solution Design through warehouse design. Others build the same capability by running complex operations, improving processes, advising supply chains, planning resilient logistics or developing automation. We are interested in what you can do, not whether your current job title matches ours. As a Solution Design Manager at DHL Supply Chain, you will turn customer challenges and operational data into practical, scalable and commercially viable solutions.

You will lead design workstreams from the first assumptions and concepts through detailed design, costing, risk management and implementation support. We are looking for proven experience in either Aviation and Travel or Defence as the focus of this role will be on either of these areas. WHAT YOU'LL DO Lead several solution design workstreams from concept and assumptions through detailed design, costing, risk and implementation support.

Analyse customer data, operational flows, demand, capacity and constraints to define credible design options. Develop end-to-end warehouse and supply chain solutions for existing facilities and new builds, including manual, mechanised and automated operations. Create layouts, resource and productivity models, operational processes, costings and clear design documentation. Test designs through sensitivity analysis, stress testing and benchmarking so they remain robust as requirements change.

Work with Business Development, Operations, IT, Procurement, Finance, property specialists, technology partners and customers to reach an aligned solution. Explain complex findings clearly, challenge constructively and secure operational and commercial buy-in. Support implementation teams and share knowledge through peer review, coaching and development of design standards. WHAT YOU'LL BRING You may already work in logistics Solution Design, or you may have developed transferable capability in warehouse automation, highly automated operations, airport logistics, defence logistics, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence or specialist supply chain consulting.

Strong analytical problem-solving, with confidence interpreting complex operational data and turning it into clear options. An understanding of how warehouse or logistics operations work, including flow, capacity, labour, service, risk and cost. Experience improving, designing, operating, advising on or implementing complex logistics processes or technology. Commercial awareness and the ability to balance customer, operational and financial requirements.

Clear communication and stakeholder influence, including the confidence to present recommendations and challenge assumptions. Ownership of multiple workstreams and the discipline to make assumptions, risks, decisions and dependencies visible. Curiosity about automation and emerging technologies, combined with a practical focus on delivering solutions that work. You do not need to have held a Solution Design Manager title.

We welcome evidence of relevant capability gained through adjacent roles and sectors. WHAT THE ROLE OFFERS Variety across customers, sectors, project stages and solution types. Influence before key operational and technology decisions are fixed. Exposure to significant bids, new builds and automation programmes. The opportunity to see ideas progress from analysis and concept into operational delivery.

A collaborative design community with peer review, knowledge sharing and opportunities to support developing designers. Visible career progression: 40% of the team have built DHL careers spanning more than 20 years