FORTNA partners with the world’s leading brands to transform omnichannel and parcel distribution operations. Known world-wide for enabling companies to keep pace with digital disruption and growth objectives, we design and deliver solutions, powered by intelligent software, to optimize fast, accurate and cost-effective order fulfillment and last mile delivery. Our people, innovative approach and proprietary algorithms and tools ensure optimal operations design and material and information flow. We deliver exceptional value every day to our customers with comprehensive services and products including network strategy, distribution center operational design and implementation, material handling automated equipment, robotics and a comprehensive suite of lifecycle services.
At FORTNA, we believe in fostering a workplace that isn't just a job but a movement – a collective effort to redefine success and transform challenges into opportunities. "Join the Movement" encapsulates our commitment to a workplace culture that thrives on collaboration, celebrates diversity, and empowers every individual to contribute to something greater than themselves. Our Team. Our Passion. Our Approach.
Position Summary
The Aftermarket Services Vice President of Projects is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational execution, and financial performance of the Project Management, Estimating, and Installation functions at FORTNA. This executive role ensures successful delivery of complex automation, warehouse, fulfillment, conveyor, robotics, and integrated systems projects from proposal development through final customer acceptance.
The VP of Projects drives project execution excellence, margin performance, installation productivity, customer satisfaction, risk management, and organizational scalability while partnering closely with Sales, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and Customer Support teams.
This role provides leadership for project governance, estimating accuracy, field installation performance, resource planning, contract execution, and continuous improvement initiatives across all project delivery activities.
Executive Leadership
- Lead and develop the Project Management, Estimating, and Installation organizations across multiple regions and customer programs.
- Establish strategic direction, organizational structure, operational standards, and performance expectations for all project execution functions.
- Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, safety, customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and profitability.
- Develop succession plans and talent pipelines for project leadership and field operations teams.
- Partner with executive leadership to align project execution capabilities with company growth objectives.
Project Management Leadership
- Oversee execution of large-scale material handling and automation projects including conveyors, ASRS, robotics, sortation systems, warehouse automation, controls integration, and software implementation.
- Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, within scope, and in accordance with contractual obligations.
- Establish project governance methodologies, KPI dashboards, stage-gate reviews, and standardized execution processes.
- Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, and escalation management across all active projects.
- Drive improvement in project margins, forecasting accuracy, change order management, and customer acceptance metrics.
Estimating & Commercial Support
- Lead the estimating organization responsible for labor modeling, installation estimating, project costing, and execution budgets.
- Ensure estimating accuracy and consistency for complex automation and integration projects.
- Partner with Sales and Solutions teams during proposal development and contract negotiations.
- Develop standardized estimating tools, labor models, productivity benchmarks, and cost databases.
Installation & Field Operations Leadership
- Lead all installation and field execution activities for customer projects.
- Ensure field operations meet safety, quality, productivity, and schedule performance expectations.
- Drive standardization of field execution processes, subcontractor management, commissioning coordination, and site readiness practices.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, customer safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Operations, Business, or related field required.
- MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, combined with a management degree, Master's degree a plus
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in managing engineering, multiple customer project portfolios, and diverse and large technical skills groups
- Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in project management or Engineering
- Excellent leadership skills for supporting management and their teams
- Strong strategic thinking and creative problem-solving skills
- Strong communication skills for presenting ideas and technological concepts, negotiation, and persuasion
- Previous leadership experience developing high functioning teams.
- Project Management experience in leading project values over $10M preferred
- Solid operational background and proven track record of accomplishments in an engineering or construction environment
- Technical knowledge of the various engineering disciplines required for engineering solutions development including mechanical, structural, electrical, and controls
- In-depth knowledge of interdependencies and relationships between engineering systems
- Robotics, ASRS, software, and other technologies experience is a plus
- Robust computer skills using MS Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and familiarity with specialty applications for project and resource collaboration
- Proven experience in a role entailing customer accountability and budget and fiscal responsibilities.
- Ability to support active project teams on “off hours” at night and on weekends / holidays
Functional Competencies
- Project Portfolio Management
- Executive Leadership
- Strategic Planning
- Material Handling Systems
- Warehouse Automation
- Installation Operations
- Financial Acumen
- Risk Management
- Operational Excellence
- Customer Relationship Management
Travel Requirements
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required (approximately 30–50%).
This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected of a person assigned to this position. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor.
It is the policy of FORTNA and its affiliated companies to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, citizenship status (if authorized to work in the U.S.), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, FORTNA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
