AVP, Automotive Data and Systems

Canadian Tire; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian Tire seeks an Associate Vice President, Automotive Data & Systems to lead strategy, governance, and delivery of technology initiatives across the Automotive division.

This role serves as the critical link between business and technology teams, ensuring automotive systems, data capabilities, ecommerce platforms, and digital customer experiences are aligned to business objectives and delivered effectively.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Proven track record delivering business-led tech and digital initiatives.
• Experience managing multiple tech workstreams in a large organization.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership capabilities.
• Deep understanding of digital products, ecommerce, enterprise systems, data management, and integrations.
• Experience with cloud-enabled delivery.
• Ability to align diverse teams in a matrixed environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction, governance, and execution of Automotive Data & Systems initiatives.
• Own the Co-Star shop management platform and related systems.
• Bridge Automotive business and IT, translating requirements into scalable tech solutions.
• Manage multiple concurrent technology, data, and digital initiatives.
• Drive transformation for ecommerce growth, search, fitment, and cataloguing capabilities.
• Lead evolution of the automotive customer journey (online appointments, digital service intake, self-service, cashless payments).
• Partner with technology, digital, product, and data teams for integrated solutions.
• Build relationships with Associate Dealers and key stakeholders.
• Establish governance, rhythms, communication, and delivery frameworks.
• Identify emerging tech, trends, and market opportunities.
• Communicate status, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing team.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Digital product initiatives

Cloud-enabled solutions

Enterprise systems

Data management

Project governance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, Engineering, CS, or related

Tools

Co-Star shop management platform

Job description

Reporting to the Vice President, Automotive Merchandising, the Associate Vice President, Automotive Data & Systems is the business leader accountable for the strategy, governance, and delivery of technology initiatives across Canadian Tire's Automotive division. This role serves as the critical link between business and technology teams, ensuring that automotive systems, data capabilities, ecommerce platforms, and digital customer experiences are aligned to business objectives and delivered effectively.

The AVP will oversee a broad portfolio that includes the Co-Star shop management platform, legacy automotive systems, search and fitment capabilities, ecommerce enhancements, automotive data initiatives, and customer-facing digital experiences.

What You Will Do

• Lead the strategic direction, governance, and execution of Automotive Data & Systems initiatives across the Automotive division.
• Provide business ownership and oversight for the Co-Star shop management platform and related automotive technology systems.
• Serve as the primary bridge between Automotive business teams and IT, translating business requirements into scalable technology solutions and delivery plans.
• Manage a portfolio of multiple concurrent technology, data, and digital initiatives, ensuring alignment, prioritization, accountability, and successful execution.
• Drive key transformation initiatives supporting automotive ecommerce growth, search modernization, fitment and cataloguing capabilities, customer data, and digital product innovation.
• Lead the evolution of the automotive customer journey through online appointment booking, digital service intake, self-service capabilities, cashless payments, touchless experiences, and digital checkout solutions.
• Partner closely with technology, digital, product, and data teams to ensure solutions are delivered effectively and integrated across the broader enterprise ecosystem.
• Build strong relationships with Associate Dealers and key business stakeholders.
• Establish effective project governance, operating rhythms, communication processes, and delivery frameworks.
• Identify emerging technologies, customer trends, and market opportunities.
• Communicate project status, risks, priorities, and recommendations to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing team while fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

What You Will Need

• Ideally a Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Ability to successfully manage 6–7 concurrent technology workstreams.
• Proven track record delivering business-led technology and digital product initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership capabilities.
• Strong understanding of digital products, ecommerce platforms, enterprise systems, data management, system integrations, search technologies, and customer experience solutions.
• Experience working with technology delivery teams and cloud-enabled solutions.
• Proven ability to build alignment and drive results across a highly matrixed environment.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
• Experience within automotive retail, the automotive aftermarket, service operations, fleet services, or related industries is considered a strong asset.
• Experience managing or supporting platforms such as Co-Star, shop management systems, automotive ecommerce solutions, cataloguing, fitment, or customer-facing automotive technologies is highly desirable.

Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline. Proven track record delivering business-led technology and digital product initiatives. Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership capabilities. Experience managing concurrent technology workstreams in a large, complex organization.