02 Oct, 2023
Vice President of Application Development Forest City Trading Group (FCTG), as an employee-owned organization, is among the largest lumber wholesale distributors in the US with roots going back to the 1960s. We facilitate distribution of products across 6 continents through our network of 13 operating companies and close to 700 employees. As proponents of forest sustainability, we actively support suppliers who use sustainable forest management practices that promote forest sustainability and result in long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits. Due to significant growth over the last decade, and expecting strong growth in years to come, we have embarked on an enterprise-wide transformational technology upgrade that will modernize every aspect of our business. As the tip of that spear, we are looking for a new leader to stand up an expanded applications development team, and function, to successfully support the business in developing new systems and capabilities. Position Overview As the Vice President of Application Development, you will be responsible for leading and overseeing the entire software application development process within the organization. You will provide strategic direction, manage and build a team of developers, and ensure the successful delivery of high-quality software solutions that align with the company's goals and technological vision. You will be a critical member of the digital transformation and provide strategic guidance on future e-commerce initiatives. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Develop and communicate a clear vision and strategy for the application development team, in alignment with the organization's business objectives. Develops and executes a strategic portfolio of software/application solutions that provide a superior and differentiated customer experience. Stay updated with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to drive innovation in software development. Lead, mentor, and manage a team of software developers, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, and career development. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages creativity, learning, and continuous improvement. Project Management Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering and design to development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Define project scopes, timelines, and resource requirements, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. Technical Excellence Provide technical guidance and expertise to the development team and establish written standards, methodologies, guidelines, and policies. Ensuring adherence to coding standards, best practices, and architectural guidelines. Ensure quality and scalability of production code through structured methodologies. Review and approve technical design documents, code, and system architecture to ensure high-quality solutions. Collaboration and Communication Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, quality assurance, and stakeholders to gather requirements and ensure alignment. Effectively communicate progress, challenges, and solutions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Risk Management Identify potential risks and issues in project execution and take proactive measures to mitigate them. Implement strategies to ensure application security, data privacy, and compliance with relevant regulations. Quality Assurance Implement and oversee quality assurance processes, including code reviews, testing methodologies, and automated testing frameworks, to ensure the delivery of robust and reliable software. Continuous Improvement Encourage a culture of continuous improvement, promoting the adoption of new tools, technologies, and methodologies to enhance development efficiency and product quality. Define and implement associated governance. Qualifications and Skills Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. Advanced degrees and relevant certifications are a plus. Industry experience in trucking, logistics, trading, or distribution is preferred. Proven experience (10+ years) in software development, with a track record of progressively increasing responsibilities. Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve their best performance with at least 5 years of experience leading teams. Expertise in various software development methodologies (e.g., MS Stack Agile, Scrum, DevOps) and experience adapting them to the team's needs. In-depth knowledge of programming languages, frameworks, and technologies relevant to the organization's tech stack. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a results-driven mindset. Experience with project management tools and software development lifecycle management platforms Entrepreneurial and curious-minded with the ability to influence. Someone who is comfortable and confident in building strategy as well as a doer. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Tom Haley at 180one at: 503.334.1350 / Tom@180one.com