Development Manager

Oakland Corporation; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ERP solutions provider in Ames, Iowa, is seeking an experienced Development Manager to lead their software development team. This hands-on role requires substantial software development experience and a strong background in team management, ensuring projects are delivered on time and meet quality standards. The ideal candidate will guide the transition of legacy platforms to modern, scalable solutions. Join to shape the future of technology in agriculture and accounting.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a team of software developers.
• A proven track record of delivering large software projects to production.
• Strong project planning skills, including creating realistic schedules.

Responsibilities

• Create, manage, and maintain a long-term development roadmap.
• Lead and support a small team of developers working on applications.
• Run weekly status meetings and ensure clear communication.

Skills

Team management

Software development

Communication skills

Project planning

Leadership

Problem-solving

Tools

GitHub

AWS

Job description

About Oakland Corporation

Oakland Corporation is a trusted provider of ERP software and exceptional service in the grain, agriculture, and fuel industries. Our mission is to support our clients by delivering reliable solutions that improve efficiency and productivity. We take pride in building long-term relationships and providing outstanding customer service to ensure our clients have the resources and support they need to thrive.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly technical Development Manager to lead and actively contribute to our software development efforts as we modernize and upgrade Oakland’s accounting and grain platforms. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires strong software development experience, architectural expertise, and the ability to write and review production-quality code.

In addition to managing a small team of developers, this role will directly participate in system design, code reviews, technical problem solving, and architectural decisions as we move toward a cloud-native architecture. The Development Manager will set technical standards, ensure best practices are followed, and help guide the transition of our legacy platforms into modern, scalable solutions.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of building and delivering complex software systems to production, leading development teams from a technical perspective, and maintaining deep involvement in the codebase. Strong communication and planning skills are important, but this is first and foremost a development-focused role requiring substantial real-world programming experience. You will play a critical role in shaping Oakland’s technology future by building reliable, scalable, and modern software solutions for our clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Create, manage, and maintain a long-term development roadmap aligned with company goals.
• Lead and support a small team of developers working on Oakland’s grain and accounting applications.
• Run weekly status meetings and ensure clear communication across the development team.
• Manage issues, pull requests, and code reviews using GitHub.
• Understand & Review CI pipeline activity and ensure high software quality standards.
• Work closely with leadership and other departments to prioritize features and timelines.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and at a high level of quality.

Required Qualifications

• Experience managing a team of software developers.
• A proven track record of delivering large software projects to production.
• Strong project planning skills, including creating realistic schedules and managing deadlines.
• Ability to communicate changes clearly and keep all stakeholders informed.
• Familiarity with GitHub for version control and collaboration.
• Familiarity with AWS and cloud-native architecture concepts.
• Strong leadership, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Java and Go.
• Experience working with Continuous Integration (CI) systems.
• Background in modernizing or migrating legacy software platforms.

Why Join Oakland Corporation?

At Oakland Corporation, we foster a collaborative and supportive work environment where employees are valued and empowered to succeed. We believe in continuous learning, professional growth, and building technology that truly helps our clients succeed.

If you are a proven leader who enjoys guiding teams, building modern software, and shaping the future of technology in agriculture and accounting, we would love to hear from you.