Our vision
Retail Directions mission is simple - to make retailing easier. To do this, we provide our clients with retail solutions and services built around our leading end-to-end retail management platform. Our typical clients include general merchandise retailers such as apparel, sportswear, stationery, cosmetics, and homeware retail businesses.
Operating in a dynamic and competitive market, we pride ourselves on differentiation through nearly 30 years of retail-specific expertise, combined with out-of-the-box and tailored retail solutions that help retailers to achieve their goals more easily. We offer our people a culture of innovation, agility, opportunity, and reward in return for dedication, passion, and proactivity.
Your role
The key objective of the Retail Directions Store Systems & eCommerce Development Manager is to provide functional leadership for our Software Engineers to drive the design, development and support of our Store systems & eCommerce solution within the Retail Directions Platform. The leadership, productivity, and profitable operation of the development team will be the main measures of success in this role.
Your responsibilities
Team Leadership
You will sustain and lead a team of Software Designers & Engineers capable of excellence in quality product development and delivery:
- Selection and recruitment of Software Engineers, ranging from Graduates to Senior Software Engineers.
- Line Manager responsibilities including inductions; performance reviews; training; team meetings; time recording management (self and team); counsel and mentorship; disciplinary proceedings.
- Coaching and mentorship of team members and encouraging client-focused outputs aligned to our company values.
- Communication of a clear long-term vision, as well as provision of context, to drive the motivation and focus of the team.
- Owning product specifications, documentation, guidelines, requirements, and release plans for product.
- Ensuring that design artefacts as required by Retail Directions software development methodology are prepared as a part of the product development process.
- Partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure excellence in product quality standards and timeliness.
- Managing Software Development Lifecycles within Design and Engineering standards including Software Design, Testing, and Documentation.
- Contributing to our knowledge base within our Client Portal to expand self-service support and to improve customer experience.
- Maintaining teamwork schedules for all Software Engineers for up to 12 weeks in advance.
- Assessing and estimating scope of work requirements for product development, repairs, or updates.
- Ensuring that commercial arrangements for all activities are in place prior to commencement of work.
- Performance measurement and reporting against pre-defined KPIs based around performance and effectiveness, both individually and for the team of software engineers.
Internal Collaboration
- Liaising and collaborating with members of the Retail Directions Management Team, including Retail Consulting; Account Management; Architecture; RMS ERP application; Operations; Technical Services and Client Care; Finance, and Marketing.
- Attend and participate in Management Team meetings to share progress updates and key successes.
About you
Skills and Capabilities
To be effective in this role, you will be technically capable and possess a unique blend of business knowledge and management skills; you must be customer-focused; able to develop a big-picture vision, and have the passion and drive required to make that vision a reality by working with the Retail Directions team and clients.
Management
- Strong ability to create plans and schedules, and to manage tasks through to completion, consistently delivering outputs within the quality standard to schedule.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks, and to prioritise and balance your workload based on a variety of assignments.
- Ability to plan 18 months in advance and execute plans through to the point of realisation.
- Attention to detail, with a disciplined and well-structured approach to work.
Technical
- Able to learn Retail Directions software applications and their underlying architecture to the level required to provide advice about the system and its operations.
- Strong understanding of commercial software processes and principles.
- Strong understanding of the retail industry, and information technology and its use in retail.
Team Leadership
- Inspiring team leader with positive attitude and ability to add value to the work of Software Engineers by providing effective team leadership, coaching and mentorship.
- Proactive management style, confident in owning, finding, and recommending paths to resolution, securing peer buy-in, and successfully managing the products.
- Ability to propose and make decisions in collaboration with your team and colleagues.
Communication
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively, both with others and autonomously as required.
- Be highly motivated and have a confident approach when dealing with colleagues, clients, peers, and partners.
- Excellent communication skills, both internally and externally, with ability to communicate clearly in English over the telephone, in writing, and in person.
Experience
We would expect you to have:
- A formal qualification and / or extensive experience in Information Technology and development in a commercial field.
- Relevant commercial Software Development experience.
- Relevant commercial experience in managing a software development team.
It would be an advantage if you have retail industry experience.
If you feel you have the skills and experience to excel in this role, and would like to join our Retail Directions team, we would love to hear from you.
Got a few questions before you apply? Contact us.