Vice President, Enterprise Applications

ascendingdc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ascendingdc in Midtown Manhattan seeks a Vice President, Enterprise Applications, a contract-to-hire executive to modernize the enterprise stack and stabilize core business systems. Onsite role with succession to CIO within 12-36 months for a high-performing leader.

The role leads strategic ERP modernization, guides architecture, and ensures program execution across manufacturing, distribution, and retail lines while partnering with vendors and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive IT/application leadership in manufacturing or distribution.
• Expert-level ERP modernization and AS400/IBM i migration experience.
• Proven program manager for large ERP implementations and modernization projects.
• Deep knowledge of retail/wholesale and supply chain processes (PLM, WMS, TMS, EDI).
• Bachelor's degree in IS/Engineering; MBA a plus.

Responsibilities

• Modernize and lead enterprise applications, defining integration frameworks to connect legacy and new systems.
• Govern ERP programs, manage cross-functional alignment with vendors and stakeholders.
• Own SIT/UAT/test cutover and ensure stability across manufacturing, distribution, and retail lines.
• Architect omnichannel workflows: Design/PLM, Sourcing, Mfg, WMS, TMS, e-commerce, POS, dropship.

Skills

ERP modernization

AS400/IBM i

Program management

Executive leadership

Vendor management

Architecture strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Engineering, or equivalent

Master's degree or MBA

Tools

RPG/CL programming environments

ERP platforms (SAP/Oracle)

Job description

Vice President, Enterprise Applications (Contract-to-Hire, Onsite)

Midtown Manhattan, NY

Contract to Hire

Future Track: Succession to Chief Information Officer (CIO)

About the Role

We are seeking an accomplished VP, Enterprise Applications to modernize and lead our enterprise technology stack with direct accountability for stabilizing and transforming core business systems. This is a contract-to-hire executive role based onsite in Midtown Manhattan, designed as a succession path to CIO within 12-36 months for a high-performing leader.

Key Responsibilities

• Enterprise Application Modernization & Legacy Transformation
  • Develop and execute strategic roadmaps to modernize, refactor, or migrate legacy IBM i/AS400 core applications to scalable ERP or cloud platforms.
  • Serve as chief architect, defining modern integration frameworks (APIs, event-driven middleware, microservices) to connect legacy with new systems (e-commerce, POS, supply chain).
  • Address technical debt and reduce risk associated with legacy custom RPG/CL code bases.
• ERP Rescue, Project Management & Rigor
  • Establish project governance, milestone tracking, and change control to bring off-course ERP or application initiatives back on track.
  • Drive program execution - ensuring cross-functional alignment with system integrators, software vendors, and business stakeholders.
  • Own SIT/UAT/test cutover management - protecting operational stability across manufacturing, distribution, and retail business lines.
• Apparel Industry Process Architecture
  • Translate complex business/operational requirements into optimized systems and technology-enabled workflows (Design/PLM, Sourcing, Manufacturing, WMS, TMS).
  • Architect and streamline omnichannel functions (wholesale B2B, EDI, matrix ordering, allocation, POS, e-commerce, dropship, inventory management).

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive IT/application leadership, with at least 5 in an apparel/fashion, Client, or similar manufacturing/distribution environment.
• Expert-level experience with ERP modernization, AS400/IBM i migration (incl. RPG and CL), and hybrid enterprise environments.
• Demonstrated track record as program manager for large ERP implementations, rescues, and/or application modernization projects.
• Deep understanding of retail/wholesale and supply chain processes - PLM, WMS, TMS, EDI, matrix inventory, and DTC.
• Strong team leadership, vendor management, and executive stakeholder communication skills.
• Hands-on approach - comfortable being architecture strategist and program "doer".
• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Engineering, or equivalent; Master's or MBA a plus.