Job Introduction

Exciting news for experienced Applications Managers! Here at cardfactory we're seeking a motivated individual to lead our Applications Team in developing, supporting, and maintaining key business applications. As the Applications Manager, you will be responsible for leading the delivery of product releases and changes in line with the business strategy and application roadmap. You will also assess the impact of any new applications or changes to functionality for business risk versus benefit and ensure live systems are optimized for maximum availability.

We offers a great working environment including smart working principles, allowing you to combine working from head office in Wakefield and home working, free onsite parking and excellent links to the M1 and M62.

Role Responsibility

• Managing and driving the performance of the Applications team, ensuring best practise standards are met and promote a positive working culture that empowers and motivates the team
• Working with the Architecture Team to define roadmaps for the growth and improvement of business applications in line with the IT and Business Strategy
• Working with Project Managers to plan and schedule Application Team resources to support project deliverables whilst continuing to ensure BAU activities can be delivered to maintain service levels
• Responsible for ensuring the safe introduction of application releases, patches, or changes to meet service requirements
• Engage key suppliers and internal stakeholders to identify and drive actions to ensure that existing applications are continually optimised to meet business needs
• Manage the end-to-end support of key business applications, liaising with key business stakeholders, other IT Teams and suppliers as required, to ensure resolution of issues and service requests within SLA’s
• Undertake team leadership activities to develop and support the Applications Team including 1:1’s, personal development plans, team meetings and training needs analysis
• Work with Head of Technical Operations and the IT Operations Director to progress training requirements for the Applications Team and identify efficiencies to improve operational excellence

The Ideal Candidate

• Strong leadership skills, with proven experience of managing and motivating teams to deliver results
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; including the ability to communicate technical information clearly to a non-technical audience.
• Good stakeholder management skills with proven ability to build positive working relationships across functions and at all levels
• Proven experience of applications management, preferably in an omni-channel retail environment
• Demonstrable knowledge of major enterprise business software applications i.e., ERP, Online commerce Platforms
• Experience and understanding of best practice database management - primarily MS SQL
• Experience or exposure to the following systems is preferable:

• PCMS Vision Commerce Suite – POS,
• Microsoft Dynamics AX (2009 /2012)
• Dell Boom
• Sales Force Commerce Cloud
• SAP Hana S40
• OneAdvanced Suite – OpenAccounts, OpenHR & OpenPeople

 Join cardfactory and take your career to the next level!

About the Company

Card Factory is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of greeting cards, dressings, and gifts with over one thousand stores across the UK and Ireland.  In 2020 we launched our exciting 5-year business strategy including our vision of becoming a true Omni-channel retailer.  This strategy sees significant investment into our colleagues across the business creating multiple opportunities to join a fast-paced environment and be part of our exciting journey.  

In return, we offer a wide range of benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial well-being.

Benefits

• 15% Card Factory colleague discount in-store and online
• Save As You Earn scheme
• Financial Wellbeing Support       
  • Financial Education Tools
  • Salary Advance
• Seasonal incentive schemes
• Retail Management Apprenticeship Programmes with local providers with access to a virtual internal network for learning together
• Discounted gym membership, mobile phone contracts, and car leasing
• Discounts across 100’s of UK retailers
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to tools to support mental, physical, and financial wellbeing
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption leave

This is an exciting role with genuine prospects for the right candidate. If this role describes you and your career aspirations, click apply now.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient suitable applications have been received. We advise applying early to avoid disappointment as applications will be reviewed regularly. 

No agencies, please.

Sportswift Ltd T/A cardfactory