Automation Program Manager​/QA Consultant —Automation Go

Role

Automation Program Manager / QA Consultant —Automation Go-Live

Location:

Nashville, TN (on-site/hybrid)

Engagement Type:
Contract

Duration: 6 Months

Reports To:

Product & Operations – Global Supply Chain

About the Role

Facility is integrating a Warehouse Control System with ERP for inventory management. We are seeking an experienced Automation Test Program Manager / QA Consultant to own end-to-end test strategy and execution across this automation initiative, driving the program toward a full go-live by end of December. This is a hands‑on leadership role — not a pure documentation function. The consultant will need to build the test plan, actively run the test cycle day‑to‑day, coordinate across engineering, operations, and IT teams, and translate testing status into clear, executive‑ready reporting.

• Test Strategy & Planning:
  Develop a high-level, end-to-end test plan covering the full device flow — from automation hardware/conveyance triggers, through (WCS layer) logic, to ERP (receiving, put‑away etc.).
• Test Cycle Management:
  Own and manage the test cycle schedule, including test case development, environment/data readiness, defect triage, regression cycles, and UAT sign‑off criteria.
• Cross‑Team Coordination:
  Work directly with automation/hardware teams, WCS product/engineering teams, ERP IT teams, and warehouse operations to align on test scope, dependencies, and readiness gates.
• Integration & Interface Testing:
  Ensure test coverage of system integration points — automation‑to‑WCS signals/events and WCS‑to‑ERP transactional integration (e.g., inventory updates, serial number tracking).
• Defect &
  
  Risk Management:
  
  Establish a defect tracking and triage process; identify, elevate, and drive resolution of blocking issues; maintain a go‑live risk register.
• Executive Reporting:
  Produce regular, concise status reporting for executive leadership — test progress, defect burn‑down, go‑live readiness, and risk callouts — suitable for steering committee/leadership review.
• Go‑Live Readiness:
  Define and track exit criteria/entrance criteria for go‑live; support cutover planning and hypercare test validation post‑launch.

• 7+ years of experience in test program management, QA leadership, or systems integration testing, ideally within supply chain, warehouse automation, or logistics environments.
• Demonstrated experience testing systems that span WCS/WMS layers and ERP inventory systems.
• Experience with warehouse automation go‑lives — conveyance systems, sortation, robotics, or similar physical automation integrated with software control layers.
• Strong understanding of end‑to‑end test methodology: test strategy, test case design, UAT, regression, defect management, and readiness/exit criteria.
• Proven ability to manage cross‑functional stakeholders (engineering, operations, vendors, IT) without direct authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to executive/leadership audiences.
• Comfortable working on‑site in a warehouse/DCC operational environment in Nashville.