Technical Associate (Warehouse Management Systems and Controls)

UNICEF

For every child, the right to Deliver

UNICEF Supply Division operates a major humanitarian supply hub supporting the procurement, storage and distribution of essential supplies to children and families worldwide. The Copenhagen warehouse uses automated material handling equipment (MHE), warehouse management systems (WMS), warehouse control systems (WCS), conveyors, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), packaging equipment and associated control infrastructure. Reliable interaction between warehouse systems and physical equipment is essential to safe and uninterrupted warehouse operations.

To strengthen in-house WMS and controls capability, support business continuity and retain operational knowledge, the Technical Associate (Warehouse Management Systems and Controls) provides daily systems support, fault diagnosis, maintenance coordination and continuous improvement in the automated warehouse environment.

How can you make a difference?

The Technical Associate (Warehouse Management Systems and Controls) provides first-line functional and technical support for warehouse management, warehouse control and related automation systems to help ensure reliable material flow and a high level of equipment availability. The incumbent analyses and resolves system and controls issues, coordinates escalation and recovery, supports testing and documentation, and contributes to knowledge transfer and readiness for Campus 4. The position reports to the Senior Technical Associate, WIMC, and collaborates with Warehouse Operations, technical colleagues, Engineering and Quality functions, and external maintenance and automation service providers. Contributes to maintaining compliance with applicable international and regulatory standards in supply chain operations, especially for regulated products such medicines. Adherence to mandatory training requirements and internal procedures to maintain product safety and quality throughout the supply chain.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. WMS, WCS and controls support

• Provide first-line functional and technical support for WMS, WCS, visualization and associated controls used in warehouse operations.

• Monitor system status, queues, interfaces, alarms and material-flow exceptions and take appropriate corrective or escalation action.

• Analyse incidents affecting order execution, inventory movements, equipment communication and automated material flow.

• Use available diagnostic tools and system information to identify whether faults originate in WMS, WCS, controls, interfaces, equipment or operational processes.

• Coordinate controlled system recovery and confirm that affected functions operate correctly before return to normal service.

2. Incident response and problem management

• Respond promptly to system, controls and automation incidents according to operational priority and safety requirements.

• Perform structured fault analysis, document findings and support root-cause investigation of recurring incidents.

• Escalate complex or safety critical issues to the appropriate UNICEF focal point or specialist service provider and provide the information needed for effective resolution.

• Follow incidents through to closure, including testing, operational verification, documentation and communication to relevant stakeholders.

• Identify trends and propose sustainable corrective and preventive actions.

3. Testing, changes and system improvement

• Support evaluation, testing and implementation of WMS, WCS, controls and automation changes in accordance with applicable change-control and quality requirements.

• Prepare or contribute to test scenarios, test protocols, results and defect follow-up.

• Coordinate with Warehouse Operations, IT, Engineering, Quality and external providers to ensure changes are operationally suitable and appropriately documented.

• Support integration and operational-readiness activities relevant to Campus 4, including material-flow and automation solutions.

• Contribute practical improvements to system availability, usability, maintainability and operational efficiency.

4. Documentation, data and knowledge management

• Maintain accurate incident records, system logs, service reports, configuration information, work instructions and related technical documentation.

• Ensure system issues, workarounds, outstanding defects and follow-up actions are clearly recorded and traceable.

• Maintain and improve troubleshooting guides, handover information and system support procedures.

• Share knowledge with the Technical Assistant, warehouse colleagues and other technical resources through structured handovers and on-the-job guidance.

5. Vendor and stakeholder coordination

• Work closely with Warehouse Operations, the Technical Assistant, IT, Engineering, Quality functions and external service providers.

• Coordinate and follow up external interventions involving WMS, WCS, controls, interfaces or automation systems.

• Assist in verifying that contracted work has been completed, tested, documented and accepted by the relevant UNICEF function.

• Communicate technical issues and operational impact clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

6. Technical Assistant duties and operational support

• Undertake Technical Assistant duties when required to maintain operational continuity and balanced coverage.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD - Technical Associate (Warehouse Management Systems and Controls)_GS6.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of secondary education supplemented by a recognized vocational or technical qualification in automation technology, industrial IT, electrical engineering, electronics, mechatronics, industrial maintenance, logistics systems or another relevant technical discipline. Additional training or certification in WMS/WCS, PLC/HMI systems, industrial networks, database querying, electrical safety or automation is an asset.
• Work

Experience

• At least 6 years of relevant hands-on experience supporting WMS, WCS, controls, automation or integrated warehouse systems in automated logistics, manufacturing or a comparable technical environment.
• Demonstrated experience diagnosing incidents across software, interfaces, controls and material handling equipment and coordinating recovery and escalation.
• Documented practical experience from an automated warehouse, logistics or industrial site of comparable complexity.
• Hands-on experience with preventive maintenance, fault diagnosis or repair of automated or electro-mechanical equipment sufficient to support Technical Assistant duties is required.
• Skills: Functional and technical support of warehouse management and warehouse control systems in an automated logistics environment.
• Structured troubleshooting across WMS, WCS, interfaces, PLC/HMI controls and material handling equipment.
• Interpretation of system logs, alarms, queues, messages, visualizations and equipment diagnostics.
• Incident, problem and root-cause analysis, including escalation and follow-through to verified resolution.
• Test preparation and execution, defect follow-up, change support and technical documentation.
• Understanding of automated mate