Director, Customization Technology

At YETI, we believe that time spent outdoors matters more than ever and our gear can make that time extraordinary. When you work here, you’ll have the opportunity to create exceptional, meaningful work and problem solve with innovative team members by your side. Together, you’ll help our customers get the high-quality gear they need to make the most of their adventures. We are BUILT FOR THE WILD™.

The Director, Customization Technology will report to the Vice President Consumer Technology in Austin, Texas. The Director of Customization Technology is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of cutting-edge technologies that enable the customization and personalization of YETI products, services, and customer experiences. This position blends expertise in technology innovation, product development, and customer-centric strategies to ensure the company delivers highly tailored offerings that meet evolving consumer demands. The Director will lead cross-functional teams to drive technology solutions that enhance customization capabilities, integrate new technologies into existing systems, and ensure seamless user experiences. This role will collaborate closely with product managers, engineering teams, data engineers, and business leaders to deliver scalable, sustainable, and efficient solutions.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Define and drive the vision, strategy, and roadmap for customization technology across all product and service offerings.
• Identify emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities to deliver personalized experiences at scale.
• Lead the innovation of customization technologies to ensure competitive differentiation in the marketplace.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders (e.g., product, engineering, marketing) to align technology solutions with business goals

Technology Management:

• Oversee the design, development, and deployment of customization platforms, tools, and infrastructure.
• Ensure technology solutions are scalable, secure, and capable of handling large-scale personalization for diverse customer needs.
• Evaluate, select, and manage third-party vendors and technology partners that support customization initiatives

Team Management:

• Lead and manage multiple software engineering teams, providing mentorship, guidance, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the software engineering teams.
• Set clear goals and objectives for the software engineering teams aligned with the company’s mission and vision.
• Oversee hiring, training, and career development of engineers and developers.

Customer-Centric Focus:

• Work closely with the product and UX/UI teams to ensure technology solutions enhance the overall customer experience.
• Use data-driven insights and customer feedback to refine and optimize customization strategies.
• Implement technologies that facilitate real-time customization for end users

Performance Metrics & Reporting:

• Track and measure the success of customization technology initiatives, providing regular updates and insights to senior leadership.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of customization tools and platforms, ensuring continuous optimization and ROI.

Project Management & Execution:

• Lead large-scale customization technology initiatives from concept through implementation and iteration.
• Manage timelines, budgets, and resources for all technology projects under the customization domain.
• Ensure alignment with the company's broader technological architecture and business objectives.

Qualifications and Attributes: 

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of experience in Technology roles, with extensive experience in software engineering.
• At least 6+ years of people management experience, managing both internal and external (contract) resources of varying seniority  
• Experience with microservices architecture and containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Knowledge of current trends in e-commerce, consumer behavior, AI, and machine learning ,Experience with data management technologies.
• Familiarity with advanced customization technologies like AI-driven personalization, recommendation algorithms, and automated configuration systems.
• Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, content management systems (CMS), and product information management (PIM) systems.
• Experience with agile development methodologies and project management
• Strong background in cybersecurity practices and securing softw