A control method in a mobile automation apparatus includes: storing a plurality of parametric path definition identifiers and respective corresponding sub-region identifiers identifying sub-regions in a facility; receiving a task command containing (i) a task identifier, and (ii) a target one of the sub-region identifiers identifying a target one of the sub-regions; retrieving a selected one of the parametric path definition identifiers corresponding to the target sub-region identifier; obtaining a selected one of a plurality of parametric path definitions—including a shape parameter and a reference parameter name—corresponding to the selected parametric path definition identifier; obtaining a reference parameter value, and generating a sequence of mobile automation apparatus poses according to the parametric path definition; each pose corresponding to a location in the facility; and controlling a locomotive assembly of the mobile automation apparatus to traverse the target sub-region according to the sequence of poses.