IT Manager (Business Applications)

This role will assist in managing the transition from legacy systems to a new ERP platform while ensuring stability of existing applications. To support the Business Applications technology function during a period of significant technological change.

This role has two primary objectives: Transformation and Stability.

• Transformation: Contribute to the local implementation of the Group ERP system by coordinating requirements, supporting UAT, training, and data migration activities.
• Stability: Ensure continuous support, maintenance, and availability of all legacy business applications during the transition period, which will last over several years.

The manager will lead a dedicated team of analysts, support analysts, and test analysts to partner with business stakeholders, support existing systems, and deliver the new ERP platform in collaboration with the Group project team. This role collaborates closely with the IT Infrastructure Manager to ensure seamless end-to-end service and with the parent company’s IT team to ensure strategic alignment. This is a role for someone who values depth of impact, commercial craft and long-term contribution.

Key Responsibilities

• Projects delivery: Assist in managing the local Business Applications workstream for ERP implementation. Coordinate testing, training, and data migration activities. Support delivery of smaller strategic projects.
• Systems support and maintenance: Ensure the continuous stability and support of all critical legacy applications during the ERP transition period, working closely with the relevant vendors. Oversee the application support function, enhancing existing protocols to achieve maximum issue resolution in minimum time. This includes managing the on-call/standby response.
• Team coordination: Lead and direct the Business Applications team, setting clear operational goals and performance expectations. Use performance evaluation tools and development plans to build a motivated, highly functioning team with the skills necessary to support both current and future Group platforms.
• Governance: Ensure compliance and ownership of the Change Control processes for all application modifications to minimise business risk. Co-own Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity (BC) plans for critical business applications in collaboration with Infrastructure. Ensure comprehensive documentation is maintained for all application configurations and processes. Ensure proper financial governance and ensure procurement policies are followed. Ensure the Company’s legal and regulatory obligations are met with respect to all areas of the technical environment.
• Financial Management: Participate in the departmental budgeting process by preparing and managing the annual Capex (projects) and Opex (licenses/support) budgets for the application portfolio. Conduct monthly spend analysis and drive cost management initiatives to ensure optimal financial efficiency.
• Vendor and third-party management: Develop and maintain working relationships with vendors and third-party providers. Ensure contracts are kept up to date and cost maintenance strategies are assessed and analysed on a periodic basis.

Qualifications and Experience

Experience

• Essential: 4 years IT management experience, including experience in a multi-site environment (preferably Retail).
• Essential: Proven hands-on experience managing and supporting a diverse portfolio of core enterprise applications, such as ERP, WMS, and OMS. Oracle Retail experience will be a significant differentiator.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with maintaining, supporting, and eventually decommissioning legacy business-critical systems during a transition/migration period will be beneficial.

Skills & Knowledge

• Solid understanding of Retail business processes; knowledge of the fashion industry is beneficial.
• Solid understanding of enterprise architectures, data flows, integration methods (e.g., APIs, ETL), and data governance principles related to enterprise systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team of technical staff and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong stakeholder management with the ability to work with the Executive Management of an organization.
• Leadership approach that prioritises consistency, clarity and follow-through.
• Collaborative, clear communicator who values shared success.

Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to lead a team of technical staff, to work with the Executive Management of an organization, and to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong stakeholder management.
• Proven management, organizational and time management skills.