Position Summary: The Director, Corporate & Supply Chain Systems is the key liaison between the Information Technology Department and all Merchandising, DC and Corporate teams This position will be responsible for delivering end to end business solutions using diverse accountabilities in a Retail specific environment. These accountabilities include system and data analysis, reporting and data mapping, creating context and process diagrams, documenting business requirements and functional specifications, business and system use cases, creating and executing comprehensive test plans, and working with business users to document user operating instructions. The Director will ensure that all Corporate & Supply Chain applications are developed to comply with architectural standards and established methodologies and techniques. This leader must be aware of the relevant business and related technology industry trends. Key Areas of Responsibility: + Own the solutions used across our Corporate & Supply Chain teams. Manage the relation and roadmap for enhancements and manage day to day enhancement requests and escalations + Drive Projects. Responsible for all aspects of analysis, design, development, installation, testing, implementation and post-implementation reviews. + Provide recommendations and direction to the IT and vendor development teams. + Provide direction on technical content for training materials. + Communicates and coordinates project activities with business, technical and IT service organizations (e.g., project schedules/status) + Assesses projects and identifies essential tasks; reprioritizes tasks dynamically during the project; performs risk assessments; identifies and evaluates alternatives + Ensures that design, development and implementation phases are consistent with approved standards and methodologies. + Manages direct or indirect project staff assigned to project as needed. + Negotiates and persuades other groups with diverse perspectives to gain cooperation and achieve customer objectives + Operation management/escalation of all systems within the scope of this position + Represents West Marine in external meetings Leadership and Management: This position will provide leadership to a highly professional, technical business team. This leader will provide analysis and support to ensure a high-quality product is delivered on time and within budget. This leader must be able to interface with and influence IT and business management. The leader must display a broad knowledge of Supply Chain and Merchandising processes including current and future industry directions and solutions. Leadership Competencies: Influencing and negotiating: Promotes ideas and proposals persuasively; able to work through conflicts to negotiate win/win solutions that benefit West Marine; shapes stakeholder opinions effectively; projects a positive image of the organization. This individual will provide strategic thought leadership. Can drive or participate in fact-based negotiations with vendors for product and service delivery. Team Building: Able to build, lead and participate in a matrix project organization. Foster teamwork at all levels of the organization. Leads and encourages change adoption. Visionary Thinking: Has/establishes clear vision for the business of operation; maintains long-term view; able to foresee obstacles and opportunities and generate breakthrough ideas. Seasoned Judgment: Makes timely, tough decisions taking all critical information into account; able to grasp specifics of an ambiguous situation yet keep the larger picture in focus. Communications: Superior verbal and written communication and presentation skills. Drive Execution: Integrates efforts across units and functions; provides leadership to overcome barriers and achieve results through individual and team efforts. Empowering Others: Creates an environment that fosters personal investment and excellence; nurtures other’s commitment to a common vision and shared values; provides opportunities for growth and achievement; facilitate collaboration and teamwork. Calm Under Pressure: Ability to think clearly; managing escalations both internally and with vendors, and foster teamwork in the resolution of complex business impacting problems. High-Impact Dialog: Delivers messages clearly, convincingly and in a well-organized manner; able to vary communications style for multiple audiences; projects credibility and poise; translates complex concepts and ideas into understandable terms. Technical Competencies: Project Management Expertise: This individual is an expert in the project management process and methodologies. Technology Knowledge: Understands and is able to provide high-level direction to technical professionals in a broad range of technology areas including systems software and database technology. Important Prior Experience: + Candidate must have strong Retail Supply Chain and Merchandising experience. + Presious large scale solution/ERP implementation experience. + Accounting knowledge is a plus. + Previous working knowledge of at least one of the following: + Planning and Allocation solutions + Demand planning/replenishment/Assortment planning + WMS Solutions + ERP – JDA/IP Merchandising + BI Tools/ Data solutions Minimum education required/preferred, area of study: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field Minimum years of relevant experience required: 7 years’ experience in a Supply Chain or Merchandising area. Required Skills: Demonstrated ability for: • Driving execution and successfully delivering project delivery results. • Setting long term priorities while achieving short term goals. • Ensuring that business solutions are delivered with no negative impacts. • Supporting multiple projects simultaneously • Excellent understanding of the project lifecycle • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both oral and written • Ability to work under pressure and deliver to deadlines • Awareness of challenges /improvements in industry • Strong attention to detail with emphasis on both quality and speed • Ability to prioritize work effectively and handle multiple competing demands