Company Name
The Apollo Group
Search Job Title
Warehouse Optimization Engineer
Client Profile
The Apollo Group is a family-founded, private equity-backed hospitality logistics and services company serving the global cruise industry. For over 50 years, Apollo has managed supply chain operations for onboard hospitality—covering everything from food and beverages to linens, consumables, and crew staffing. The company operates a network of 4 U.S. warehouses (Miami, Port St. Lucie, and others) and 6 international sites in Barcelona, with additional operations in Mexico and India. After a recent PE acquisition, Apollo embarked on an aggressive growth and modernization plan, creating new leadership roles to strengthen efficiency and scale.
Role Objectives & Challenges
The newly created Warehouse Optimization Engineer role was designed to standardize and improve operations across Apollo’s 4 U.S. warehouses. The ideal hire would bring strong technical and process-design expertise—someone capable of re-engineering warehouse layouts, optimizing throughput, and supporting growth across multiple facilities. Challenges included:
- Multiple recruiting firms had already been engaged before SCM Talent Group, limiting available candidates.
- The company’s hybrid identity (hospitality, food logistics, and maritime operations) required unique cross-functional experience.
- The position demanded both engineering aptitude and hands-on leadership in climate-controlled environments.
Our Approach to Solve the Search
SCM Talent Group partnered directly with the CFO and private equity stakeholders to recalibrate the search strategy. We began by mapping local Miami talent in food and beverage distribution, then expanded to include candidates from adjacent sectors such as cold-chain logistics, agriculture, and general distribution optimization.
We prioritized individuals with experience designing warehouse layouts and implementing process improvements across multiple sites. Candidates were vetted for both technical expertise and collaborative communication style, essential to Apollo’s entrepreneurial and fast-paced culture.
The Hire & Results
From an initial slate of six candidates, two advanced to final interviews. The selected hire came from the agricultural distribution industry, bringing a rare combination of engineering training and practical experience managing temperature-controlled facilities. This candidate demonstrated both technical skill and the interpersonal qualities necessary for cross-functional collaboration.
