Senior Manager IT Retail Applications, EMEA

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION:

As the Senior Manager IT Retail Applications, you will collaborate with various EMEA Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) functions—including Retail Operations, IT, Logistics, Omni, Customer Solutions, and Go-to-Market leadership—to identify, plan, and implement solutions that bring us closer to our consumers. 

You will act as a senior business partner, aligning IT with business priorities and encouraging strong cross-functional collaboration. Your leadership will guide partners toward operational efficiency across end-to-end processes, even in areas traditionally considered business owned. 

This role involves coordinating a team as they navigate various technical and operational obstacles. Success depends on close engagement with key partners to ensure timely execution of regional strategies, all while enhancing the consumer experience and aligning with global governance standards. 

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

• Lead, mentor, and develop the IT team to become trusted partners with ownership of both technical and functional domains, focused on streamlining operations. 

• Build strong relationships across business functions and drive alignment on expectations and delivery. 

• Collaborate with Retail and IT leaders from various locations to support critical initiatives. 

• Contribute to planning and execution for store openings and changes, ensuring IT optimization. 

• Develop an attitude of ownership within the IT team for end-to-end business processes, including those led by business teams but benefiting from IT input. 

• Define and drive the retail technology vision and roadmap in partnership with regional and global partners. 

• Coordinate projects with global teams (Netherlands, UK, USA, India) from requirements through post-implementation. 

• Lead the organization through retail technology transformation, prioritizing initiatives aligned with strategic goals. 

• Develop cases for change based on value, brand alignment, and capability enhancement. 

• Guide system and solution architecture decisions. 

• Deliver impactful retail technology projects that improve the in-store consumer experience. 

• Identify and handle risks and issues, calling out when vital. 

• Serve as the regional point of contact and advocate for the Retail Technology team, ensuring adoption of standard processes and proper documentation. 

• Act as the functional owner for retail systems and processes, ensuring integration with ERP, CRM, and other platforms. 

• Supervise system performance, security, and scalability. 

• Manage third-party vendors and service providers. 

• Oversee budget planning and management. 

• Stay informed on emerging retail technology trends and innovations. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS: 

• Strong people management & team building skills. 

• Proven experience in handling retail technology solutions. 

• Relevant years of expe