Senior Manager, Business SystemsForterra

About ForterraAt Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.

Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role

Forterra is seeking a Sr. Manager, Business Systems to own, lead, and continuously improve the core business systems that power our operations. You will be accountable for delivery across ERP, CRM, integrations, and adjacent tooling that keeps Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Growth, Production, Quality, and Engineering moving. When systems fall short, you own the fix. When the business grows faster than the tools, you close the gap. 

 

You will lead the Business Systems team, develop the people on it, and serve as the day-to-day partner for functional leaders across the company. The work requires both technical credibility and the ability to build trust quickly. You move fast without leaving stakeholders behind. 

 

You will report directly to the Head of Business Systems and own the Systems pillar. You will coordinate closely with the Intelligence and PMO pillars, and operate as a senior leader within Business Systems, setting the bar for delivery, collaboration, and accountability. 

What you'll do

Own Core Business Systems Delivery 

Drive delivery of core business system initiatives across ERP (NetSuite), CRM (Salesforce), integration layer (Celigo), and adjacent tooling supporting Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Growth, Production, Quality, and Engineering Own and evolve the systems architecture across Forterra's core platform stack, ensuring it scales from early production through full-rate manufacturing Manage prioritization and capacity across the Business Systems team and fractional contractor bench, keeping the highest-impact work moving without burning the team Serve as the day-to-day liaison with system vendors and managed service partners, coordinating delivery, escalating issues, and holding partners accountable to scope and quality Identify and drive improvements to team delivery workflows and pipelines, including laying the groundwork for more automated, repeatable development and deployment practices Own system performance and issue resolution before they become business disruptions 

 

Lead and Develop the Team 

Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of Business Systems Analysts and Systems Engineers, establishing technical standards and career development paths Run structured 1:1s, provide clear and timely feedback, and build meaningful growth plans for every direct report Build a team culture grounded in ownership, accountability, and cross-functional trust Participate in hiring decisions as tenure and trust develop over time 

 

Drive Cross-Functional Partnership 

Serve as a trusted advisor to Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Growth, Production, Quality, and Engineering, translating business needs into durable system solutions Define team operating standards and delivery practices that create consistency, protect focus, and support the execution work led by the Technical PMO Produce exec-ready visibility into team status, project health, and delivery commitments Drive structured transition of institutional knowledge from contractors to FTEs as the operating model matures 

 

Identify and Implement Improvements 

Proactively surface and drive process and system improvements across the business, not just in response to requests Identify opportunities to embed automation and AI-enabled workflows that reduce manual effort and improve operational efficiency Establish governance practices for system access, data integrity, and compliance aligned with defense industry requirements 

Minimum Qualifications

5+ years of experience in business systems, enterprise applications, or ERP program management2+ years of direct people management experience in a business systems or technology functionDeep hands-on experience with NetSuite at the configuration, architecture, or program management levelDemonstrated financial systems fluency across Order to Cash, Procure to Pay, or financial reporting workflows in a scaling environmentMeaningful experience with Salesforce, Celigo, or comparable CRM and integration platforms where you owned the delivery, not just the administrationDemonstrated experience managing or coordinating with external contractors and managed service vendors

Preferred Qualifications

Background spanning both financial systems and production or manufacturing tech. As comfortable talking Order to Cash with a CFO as talking BOM management with an engineering leadExperience supporting financial close processes, audit readiness, or controls in an environment where data integrity is non-negotiableExposure to manufacturing, supply chain systems, or production operations at a hardware or defense companyA strategy on AI and automation applied to business systems. Not as a trend to follow, but as a capability to buildYou have led a team through a systems implementation, an acquisition integration, or a significant operational transformation and have the perspective to show for it

US Salary Range $160,000 - $200,000

Location

Hybrid in Clarksburg, MD or Arlington, VA

 

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption. A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires. 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.   

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra’s candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice. 

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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