Business Application Manager

Fenwick; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent UK department store is seeking a Business Applications Manager to lead the Applications team in Newcastle. You will oversee development and improvements of key business systems, like Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Shopify. The role requires experience in managing IT teams and a strong understanding of enterprise applications. This position fosters collaboration across various departments to optimize operations and drive innovation.

Benefits

Up to 25% discount in stores

Birthday off as annual leave

Private Medical Cover

Access to employee discount programs

Hybrid Working

Qualifications

• Experience managing IT development or support teams.
• Excellent knowledge of key business applications like D365 F&O.
• Ability to balance varying workstreams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Applications team for improvements.
• Oversee core application roadmaps, ensuring alignment with strategy.
• Collaborate with teams across Finance, Buying, and Retail.

Skills

Managing IT development teams

Functional knowledge of D365, Shopify

Prioritisation skills

Interpersonal skills

Self-organisation

Job description

Overview

Do you want to play a key role in shaping the technology landscape at Fenwick? Are you ready to take on a new challenge leading impactful systems change? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our IT team as a Business Applications Manager!

When you join Fenwick, you’ll receive:

• Up to 25% discount in all Fenwick stores and fenwick.co.uk.
• Your birthday off as an additional day annual leave – this can be taken any day within your birth month.
• Immediate access to the Main Section of Fenwick Limited Superannuation Scheme which provides higher Company contributions and free Life Assurance of 4x your pensionable salary.
• Peace of mind with Private Medical Cover membership.
• ‘Perks*’ - a great way to get Retail, Leisure & Hospitality discounts, exclusive deals, and cashback on a wide range of products.
• WeCare -24/7 GP, wellbeing advice & support service.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Hybrid Working (Typically Thursday and Friday working from home).

About the role

We’re looking for a Business Applications Manager to lead and develop our Applications team, driving improvements and innovation across Fenwick’s key business systems. In this pivotal role, you’ll oversee the roadmap for our core applications – including Microsoft Dynamics 365 (F&O and POS), Shopify, and FRS – ensuring they evolve in line with our business strategy and support seamless, efficient operations across every function.

You’ll act as the bridge between IT and the wider business, collaborating with teams in Finance, Buying, Merchandising, Digital, Logistics, and Retail to identify opportunities for optimisation, streamline processes, and reduce reliance on third-party vendors. As a confident leader and communicator, you’ll balance technical expertise with commercial understanding, prioritising projects that deliver measurable value while maintaining stability, compliance, and user adoption.

This role is ideal for someone with a proven track record of managing IT development or support teams and deep functional knowledge of enterprise applications. You’ll thrive in a fast-paced environment, combining hands-on problem-solving with a strategic outlook to deliver continuous improvement. With your guidance, the Business Applications team will strengthen Fenwick’s digital backbone and play a vital role in enabling growth, efficiency, and innovation across the business.

What we are looking for in a candidate...

• Experiencing of managing IT development or support teams and driving performance
• Excellent functional and product knowledge of key business applications e.g. D365 F&O incl’ POS, Shopify Web Platform, FRS (Furniture Retail System).
• Excellent prioritisation and workload management skills, with the ability to balance varying workstreams
• A demonstrably high level of commitment to continuous improvement of self, process and business efficiency
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to deliver difficult messages and summarise functional problems into audience appropriate language
• Reliable, with strong time management and self-organisational skills
• An appreciation for industry best practice and a respect for the value it brings
• Ability to modify approach or style to work effectively with variety of stakeholders
• Experience of working within an ITIL environment and toolsets is desirable

About Fenwick

Fenwick is rich with heritage and history and have been style pioneers since 1882 when our first store opened. We know luxury and are proud to remain the largest independent, family-owned group of department stores within the UK. We are on an exciting journey to exceed our customers' expectations and we are always on the lookout for new talent to join us.

Our collaborative spirit unites a workforce of over 2,000 individuals across our stores, as well as in our support functions, encompassing Digital, Buying & Merchandising, IT, Finance, People, Customer Service teams, and our cherished restaurants and distribution centres.

In 2023 we launched our ‘Quiet No More’ campaign, enhancing our presence on the UK high street as well as our eCommerce website going from strength to strength. Together, we form the beating heart of Fenwick, driving forward our vision for excellence and innovation. Join us as we pave the way toward an even brighter tomorrow, where tradition meets transformation!