Sr. Manager, Software Development

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.

The Sr Manager, Software Development is a strategic and operational leader responsible for driving the software delivery, innovation, and execution across various services in Fortna’s software portfolio. This role oversees globally distributed Agile development teams, ensuring high-quality, on-time delivery of software products that meet client needs and align with Fortna’s business objectives. This individual will foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement, while supporting R&D initiatives and managing departmental goals, budgets, and talent development.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy  

• Develop and execute strategies that support global software development and innovation.
• Provide strategic direction, goals, and process improvements aligned with CTO leadership.
• Lead cross-functional Agile teams across geographies to deliver scalable, high-quality software.
• Guide and mentor other Directors and team leads to foster leadership effectiveness.
• Represent the software department with integrity and maintain strong cross-functional relationships.

Operational & Technical Oversight
Lead team(s) focused on software platforms supporting core business processes for WCS, WES and Optimizer products, including reusable libraries, agentic programming models, non-functional libraries.

• Evaluate and recommend tools, frameworks, and technologies that improve scalability, maintainability, and performance. Lead architecture reviews and provide technical guidance to development teams.
• Oversee daily operations of software engineering and product development teams.
• Ensure coordination, collaboration, and code reuse across distributed teams and subsystems.
• Support project planning, implementation, and delivery in partnership with Software Project Management.
• Maintain high-quality software design and documentation standards.
• Ensure seamless integration of microservices through API gateways, service discovery, and messaging systems (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ). Oversee data consistency, resilience, and transactional integrity across distributed systems.
• Support software QA and infrastructure teams in testing, deployment, and packaging.
• Lead onsite and remote support for WES/WCS implementations and troubleshooting.

Innovation & R&D

• Provide input into software strategy and emerging technologies.
• Support R&D initiatives through resource selection and technical guidance.
• Drive continuous improvement and adoption of industry best practices for software engineering and delivery.
   

Talent Development

• Build and grow a high-performing software team through training, mentoring, and supervision.
• Organize technical training sessions and promote skill development across teams.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• 10+ years of Supply Chain Execution Experience.
• Exposure to fulfillment and warehouse automation
• Software development lifecycle (SDLC) experience with a sizeable product/project

• Time sensitive, high transaction-based processing experience

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to clearly articulate to project members and stakeholders
• Must be a team player who works well with technical and non-technical resources
• Comfortable working in a multi-cultural environment
• Proficient in object orientated analysis and design (OOAD) such as general design patterns and core object-oriented patterns.

• Experience with some mix of C/C++/Java, Socket Programming, RPM Package Manager, auto-build tools, SQL and Oracle, DLL plug-in libraries in C++, pthreads, XML, XSLT and ActiveMQ.

• Experience with other open-source operating systems and development tools including cloud native architecture, virtualizated deployment patterns.

• Prior supervisory experience desired.

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, time management and problem-solving skills

• Ability to perform essential functions of the job

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering or related field
• 10+ years of relevant experience with software engineering lifecycle processes including architecture, development, performance engineering, QA and automation
• Relevant experience in Agile software lifecycle delivery
• Strong technical background in SDLC, OOAD, and technologies such as C/C++, Java, SQL, XML, ActiveMQ.
• Experience with open-source operating systems and development tools.
• Excellent communication skills with executive presence.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional and geographically distributed teams without formal authority.
• Prior supervisory experience required.

Physical Requirements:

When duties are performed in a typical office environment, extended periods of sitting at a desk and viewing a computer screen will be required. Also required is the ability to talk and hear, in person and by telephone; use of hands to handle, feel, or operate standard office equipment; and ability to reach with hands and arms. Associates are frequently required to walk and stand. The noise level in this work environment is usually quiet. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

When travelling to Client sites, essential requirements of this position may require physical presence in various environments and locations. Physical stamina may be required for prolonged standing, bending, stooping, and/or working in cramped quarters. Exposure to potentially dangerous tools and equipment amidst a variety of building materials is probable, as is occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment can vary from being relatively quiet, to moderate, to excessive. Safety shoes or boots may be required in certain situations. Additional safety clothing including gloves, hardhats, and devices to protect eyes, mouth, or hearing, will be worn as necessary.

All Associates are entitled to work in environments where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled. Alongside Fortna taking the appropriate steps to provide information on the Health and Safety requirements of the country they are working in, it is the Associates’ responsibility to ensure they are aware of and follow these Health and Safety requirements, noting that regulations can vary significantly from one country to another.

Associates are reminded that they have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions at work. Associates must follow Fortna’s policies and guidelines, and cooperate at all times with their co-workers to help everyone meet their legal requirements. If in doubt, Associates should speak with their Resource Manager or a Site Manager within the country they are visiting.

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% of the time

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.

Originally posted on Himalayas