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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead tech delivery and shape the future of retail technology.
- Company: Dynamic retail tech company with a hands-on culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, competitive salary, and clear path to CTO.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing business with innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in tech leadership and retail technology is essential.
- Other info: Join a fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
We are a retail technology business building software that delivers real commercial impact for grocery and FMCG operators. Our Virtual Replenishment Manager is live in-market and already delivering measurable improvements in availability, execution and operational efficiency. Customer demand is growing and we are scaling both the platform and the wider product roadmap.
Our non-technical CEO has spent many years in senior operational leadership roles within the grocery industry, so this business is grounded in real operational experience. We are now looking for a dynamic Head of Technology / CTO to work very closely with the CEO and the product leadership team to take ownership of technical delivery and help drive the next phase of the business. This is not a corporate role and it is not a narrow engineering position. It is a hands-on leadership role with real responsibility, influence and a clear path to becoming CTO as the business grows.
The role
- You will be the most senior full-time technical leader in the business.
- You will own technical delivery end-to-end across a live production platform.
- You will lead our existing offshore development team, set clear standards and drive pace, quality and accountability.
- You will work closely with the CEO on product direction, priorities and execution.
- In 2026, we will transition from an offshore team to a UK based engineering team.
- You will play the central role in shaping your team, hiring the right people and building a culture of ownership, pace and high standards.
- Strong people leadership and the ability to motivate and hold others to account is essential.
- We work fast and expectations are high.
- I expect you to come to me with ideas, solutions and opportunities.
- You will also be comfortable spending time with senior C-level customers, including product discussions, customer calls and sales pitches where technical credibility and commercial understanding matter.
Domain context
We operate in retail, FMCG and supply chain technology. Our customers run complex, operationally intensive businesses where systems must work reliably in real-world environments. Experience in grocery retail, FMCG, supply chain, replenishment, logistics or retail execution technology is extremely valuable in this role. Familiarity with enterprise buying processes and long sales cycles is a strong advantage.
What you will be responsible for
- You will own the technical roadmap and day-to-day delivery of current and future solutions.
- You will lead architecture decisions to ensure scalability, resilience and performance.
- You will set engineering standards and run effective code reviews.
- You will drive accountability within the development team and ensure work gets done properly and on time.
- You will work closely with products to turn customer needs into scalable solutions.
- You will explain technical trade-offs clearly and commercially to customers, partners and internal stakeholders.
Experience and attributes that matter most
- Experience working in small businesses or scale-ups rather than only large corporations.
- Strong technical foundations with the confidence to review code and challenge decisions.
- A proven ability to lead, influence and motivate engineers.
- Comfortable having difficult conversations and driving performance.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias to action and ownership.
- Commercial awareness and confidence discussing cost, value and prioritisation.
- Comfort interacting with customers, prospects and senior stakeholders.
- Happy working closely with the CEO and operating at pace.
- Able to be in a North West UK office 2 to 3 days per week.
- Possibility of travelling overseas to meet current and prospective clients for six weeks per year.
- Looking for a long-term role with a path to senior leadership and eventual CTO responsibility.
Highly preferable experience
- Hands-on experience building or leading retail technology, FMCG systems or supply-chain products.
- Experience working on replenishment, availability, logistics, store systems or operational platforms.
- Previous involvement in customer pitches, buying committees or enterprise sales cycles.
Technical background
- Experience building and running production software.
- Backend experience using Nest.js or similar frameworks.
- Cloud experience with Azure preferred and AWS acceptable.
- Understanding of API-driven architectures and scalable systems.
- Experience supporting applications used in operational, real-world environments.
Nice to have
- Experience with Ionic, React or React Native.
- Experience with Zebra or other ruggedised Android devices.
- Exposure to automation or GenAI in operational or supply-chain contexts.
- Experience mentoring engineers into leadership roles.
One important thing to be clear on
If you are a brilliant engineer who prefers to stay heads down, avoid customers and avoid leadership responsibility, this will not be the right role for you. If you enjoy thinking commercially, influencing people, building teams and working at pace in a growing retail technology business, you will be perfect for this challenge.
Your Application
Please email your CV and cover letter, highlighting why you are the best person for this role in one paragraph, to alisonc@impulselogic.com.
Head of Technology (growing into CTO) in Manchester employer: IMPULSE LOGIC
Contact Detail:
IMPULSE LOGIC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Technology (growing into CTO) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the retail tech space. Attend industry events, meetups, or even online webinars. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that Head of Technology role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in leading teams and driving projects. They want someone who can motivate and hold others accountable, so make sure you share your success stories.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss ideas! In interviews, don’t just answer questions—come prepared with suggestions on how to improve their tech stack or processes. This shows you’re proactive and have a genuine interest in their business.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. It’s a great way to stand out from the crowd and show you’re serious about joining our team. Plus, it makes it easier for us to find your application!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Technology (growing into CTO) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Technology role. Highlight your leadership experience, technical expertise, and any relevant industry knowledge to show us you're the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, tell us why you’re excited about this role and how your background makes you the perfect candidate. Keep it concise but impactful – we want to see your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t just list your technical skills; provide examples of how you've applied them in real-world scenarios. We love seeing how you’ve tackled challenges and delivered results in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at IMPULSE LOGIC
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially backend frameworks like Nest.js and cloud platforms like Azure. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with production software and how it relates to retail technology.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, particularly in fast-paced environments. Highlight your ability to motivate engineers and drive accountability, as this role demands strong people leadership.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the grocery and FMCG sectors, and be prepared to discuss how technology can solve real-world operational challenges. This will show that you can think commercially and understand customer needs.
✨Be Ready for Technical Discussions
Expect to engage in conversations about technical trade-offs and architectural decisions. Practice explaining complex concepts in a way that’s clear and relatable, as you’ll need to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
