Director, IT / IS

The Kersheh Group; Montreal; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Director, IT / IS to drive technological evolution and oversee IT infrastructure. You will lead a team, manage budgets, and ensure alignment with business objectives while fostering innovation and collaboration. This role requires a strong background in IT leadership, particularly in the retail sector, and a proven track record of managing complex IT projects and vendor relationships.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of IT experience, with 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Experience in retail, fashion, or consumer goods industries required.

Responsibilities

• Lead IT infrastructure management and team development.
• Develop and manage the department’s annual budget.
• Oversee vendor relationships and ensure alignment with tech strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Team-building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science

Master’s preferred

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

SAP AFS

Infor M3

NetSuite

Job description

As the Director, IT / IS you will be the driving force behind TKG’s technological evolution, working closely with cross-functional teams to design, implement, optimize and support both our current and future-state technologies. You will own the overseeing of all aspects of our IT infrastructure – from servers and storage to networks, cloud platforms, and applications, while building the systems that will support TKG’s growth.

What You’ll Do :

• Lead with Impact : Inspire and guide your team daily, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and engaging work environment. Your leadership will reflect TKG’s corporate mission and core values, empowering your team to innovate and perform at their best.
• Set the Vision : Establish clear performance objectives and KPIs, and support your team’s growth with regular coaching, feedback, and development opportunities to help them succeed and achieve their goals.
• Maintain Partnerships : Take charge of overseeing and managing relationships with external service providers and consultants. Ensure that they align with our tech strategy, deliver on performance objectives, add value to the business, and reduce risk. As the key point of contact, you will ensure smooth communication, effective collaboration, and that all projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Own the Budget : Take charge of developing and managing the department’s annual budget, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to achieve both short-term goals and long-term strategic objectives.
• Assess & Innovate : Take a hands-on approach to evaluate our current infrastructure, identify gaps in hardware and software, and design scalable solutions that align with our business objectives and growth.
• Technology Vision : Build and maintain a comprehensive tech roadmap that supports the company’s strategic vision, helping to shape the direction of the business through technology.
• Optimize & Deliver : Improve organizational efficiency by defining and delivering IT solutions that enhance productivity, streamline operations, and keep us ahead of our growth objectives.
• Strategic Tech Leadership : Recommend and implement IT strategies, policies, and procedures based on industry trends, organizational outcomes, and future business needs. Your insights will guide the company in making informed decisions about technology adoption.
• Develop a Security Mindset : Safeguard company assets by ensuring solid disaster recovery plans, backup procedures, and robust information security controls are in place and up to date.
• Lead Application Modernization : Spearhead the strategy for modernizing our core ERP solution, including assessing current systems, defining requirements, and selecting the best-fit solution. Play an integral role in validating business processes, ensuring alignment with company objectives, and driving the successful implementation of the new system. You’ll be at the forefront of transforming how we manage key business functions and data, ensuring we have the tools to scale effectively.
• Drive Development & Integration : Lead the charge on all IT / IS development initiatives, system integrations, and technological advancements that will elevate the company’s capabilities and support new growth opportunities.
• Financial Stewardship : Prepare financial budgets for capital projects, presenting proposals to senior leadership to ensure investments align with the company’s strategic goals.
• Stay Ahead of the Curve : Constantly research and recommend new products and services that will help TKG stay current within our industry and improve our tech stack.
• Solve Complex Problems : Be the go-to expert for troubleshooting and resolving complex network and system issues, working with various teams across the organization to find solutions quickly and effectively.
• Audit & Improve : Regularly conduct system audits to assess the performance and security of implemented technologies, ensuring that we operate at peak efficiency.
• Document & Standardize : Maintain up-to-date documentation for all systems, networks, and processes, ensuring smooth operations and continuity as we scale.
• Vendor Management : Provide oversight on our IT / IS infrastructure (hardware, software, telephony, mobility, networking, and data storage), including strategic direction, selection, and standardization. Manage all vendor relationships and negotiate contracts to ensure we get the best value from our technology partners.
• Maintain Excellence : Ensure we’re delivering top-tier service by establishing and enforcing best practices and standards across all IT and IS initiatives.

What You Need :

Education and Requirements :

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 10+ years of IT experience, with 5+ years in leadership or director-level or senior manager roles.
• Experience in retail, fashion, or consumer goods industries required
• Must have experience dealing with Major US Retailers such as Walmart, Kohls, Sam’s Club, previous experience dealing with international major retailers an asset.

Technical Expertise

• ERP systems : Familiarity with apparel-specific ERPs (like Visual Next, SAP AFS, Infor M3, NetSuite).
• EDI : Advanced knowledge of EDI protocols, X12 standards and the SQL Server environment.
• Data & analytics : BI tools (Power BI, Tableau), data warehousing, reporting.
• System integration : APIs, middleware, and cross-platform data sync.
• Security & compliance : Knowledge of Canadian data privacy laws and cybersecurity standards.
• Proven track record of leading digital transformation and technology roadmap planning.
• Ability to bridge business and IT—communicate technical solutions in business terms.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, contracts, and SLAs.
• Budget management and IT cost optimization skills.
• Strong project management experience (Agile, Scrum, PMP is a plus).

Industry Knowledge & Soft Skills

• Understanding of seasonal inventory cycles, product lifecycle management (PLM).
• Knowledge of supply chain technologies used in fashion (e.g., RFID, warehouse automation).
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• High emotional intelligence and stakeholder management.
• Problem-solving and “find a way” mentality.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, trend-sensitive environments.