VP, Automation & Operational Strategy

Fanatics Inc•New York, NY

57d

About The Position

We are hiring a visionary and execution-focused VP, Automation & Operational Strategy to lead the development and scaling of transformative automation programs across Fanatics Collect and Fanatics Live. This executive role is critical to driving our operational evolution through next-gen automation, robotics, and intelligent systems. You will own the enterprise-wide automation roadmap and partner with senior technology, operations, and product leaders to reimagine fulfillment, logistics, and commerce infrastructure. This role requires an ambitious leader with deep technical fluency, proven operational expertise, and a track record of delivering automation programs at scale. You will serve as the senior-most automation authority in the company, balancing hands-on implementation with enterprise-level strategic planning to support rapid growth and innovation.

Requirements

15+ years of progressive leadership experience in automation, operations strategy, industrial engineering, or supply chain innovation.
Proven success leading enterprise automation strategy in ecommerce, logistics, or tech-driven operations environments.
Expertise in warehouse management systems, robotics, systems integration, and smart fulfillment technologies.
Advanced understanding of operational modeling, data analytics, and process optimization.
Deep experience in cross-functional leadership and influencing executive stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to architect and scale end-to-end automation systems from concept to implementation.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or a related technical discipline; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.
Strategic thinker with the ability to execute with urgency in fast-paced environments.

Nice To Haves

Experience with live commerce, collectibles, or high-velocity DTC businesses is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end automation strategy across physical and digital operations, including warehouse systems, live shopping fulfillment, and trading workflows.
Serve as a key member of the operations leadership team, advising the C-suite and driving cross-functional alignment on automation priorities.
Design and lead multi-year automation and infrastructure roadmaps to enable operational scale, speed, and precision.
Evaluate, select, and implement advanced technologies including robotics, AI/ML-driven process automation, and IoT-enabled systems.
Oversee high-stakes cross-functional programs that span Engineering, Product, Operations, and external partners.
Build and mentor a team of automation engineers, technical program managers, and operations analysts.
Optimize systems through Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Lead vendor strategy and negotiations with automation providers and robotics integrators.
Define and monitor KPIs for automation performance, cost savings, and operational throughput.
Champion a culture of innovation, agility, and operational excellence across the organization.