Senior Manager IT Retail Applications, EMEA

New Balance; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the sports industry seeks a Senior Manager for IT Retail Applications to enhance consumer experience through strategic IT solutions. This role involves leading a team, collaborating with various functions, and driving retail technology initiatives to align with business goals. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of retail operations and technology.

Benefits

Discretionary Bonus Opportunity

Private Medical Insurance

Dental Scheme

Pension Scheme

Flexible Working Hours

Hybrid working (3 days on-site)

25 days Annual Leave

Life Insurance

On Site Gym

Employee Discount

Flexibility to Work from Anywhere for four weeks per year

Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit

Qualifications

• Strong people management & team building skills.
• Proven experience in handling retail technology solutions.
• Ability to think like an architect and bridge business & IT.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the IT team to streamline operations.
• Collaborate with regional and global Retail and IT leaders.
• Define and drive the retail technology vision and roadmap.

Skills

People management

Team building

Project management

Problem-solving

Analytical abilities

Communication

Job description

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 requires managing a team through both technical and functional challenges. 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 regional and global Retail and IT leaders 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.

• Ability to think like an architect and bridge business & IT.

• Strong understanding of POS systems and retail operations.

• Experience with system integration and API management.

• Knowledge of retail analytics and performance optimization.

• Excellent project management and leadership skills.

• Strong organisation skills, be able to organise work and prioritise projects with a sense of urgency whilst being comfortable with uncertainty and shifting priorities.

• Able to navigate a matrix organisation and work well with people at all levels, countries, teams and cultures.

• Strong understanding of omnichannel capabilities.

• Experience working in matrix-oriented organization, working with remote global teams is a plus.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Willingness to travel.

BENEFITS:

• Discretionary Bonus Opportunity

• Private Medical Insurance

• Dental Scheme

• Pension Scheme

• Flexible Working Hours (07:00 – 10:00 start, 15:00 -18:00 finish)

• Hybrid working (3 days on-site)

• 25 days Annual Leave per year

• Life Insurance

• On Site Gym

• Employee Discount

• Flexibility to Work from Anywhere for four weeks per year

• Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)

Equal Opportunity Employer:

New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.

If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.