VP, Automation & Operational Strategy

About the Company 

Fanatics Collect is a global product and technology group dedicated to revolutionizing the world of collectibles. Every single day our team of experienced product leaders, engineers, and operators obsesses over how to create the ultimate collector experience with our products: Topps.com, the direct to consumer ecommerce platform of the Topps brand, Fanatics Collect, the most trusted and dynamic collector focused marketplace, and our collector focused live shopping platforms, Fanatics Live and Voggt. 

We have the unique advantage of being backed by Fanatics - the world’s largest sports merchandiser, with more than 900 global sports relationships, 90+ million reachable fans, and exclusive licensing deals with the MLB, NFL, and NBA among many others - but we’re a nimble, ambitious team building products from the ground up. 

If you're passionate about building world class products and share our love for sports fans and collectors, Fanatics Collect offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic team creating the future of collecting. 

About the Role 

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. 

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. 

Qualifications: 

• 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. 
• Experience with live commerce, collectibles, or high-velocity DTC businesses is a strong plus. 
• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute with urgency in fast-paced environments.

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally. 

Fanatics Collect is the leading global platform for collectors, providing a trusted place to seamlessly connect, buy, sell, trade and store collectibles. Today, Fanatics Collect is home to a marketplace that connects buyers and sellers through fixed-price listing and auctions, a vault where collectors can safely store their collections, and a live commerce platform, Fanatics Live, where collectors can join their community for live-stream shopping of collectibles.