Director of IT - Cooper-Booth Wholesale Company

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Cooper-Booth Wholesale Company (CBW) has been in the wholesale distribution business since 1865 when Booth Tobacco Company was incorporated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The company continued to grow with the acquisition of Cooper Tobacco and a number of other distributors over the years.

Family owned and operated for three generations, our longevity has been made possible by providing our customers with the best service and value available. Today, CBW is a full-line, full-service wholesale distributor serving retailers in the Mid-Atlantic region, and is recognized as one of the Top 10 leading convenience store wholesalers in the country.

Learn more about CBW at www.cooperbooth.com.

Position Summary: The Director of Information Technology (IT) will be a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for driving the technological vision and strategy of the Company. This role is responsible for overall planning, organizing, and execution of all IT functions within the company. This includes directing all IT operations to meet customer requirements as well as the support and maintenance of existing infrastructure, applications, and development of new technical solutions.

Responsibilities Include, but are not limited to:

• Leadership & Strategy
  • Provide leadership, vision, and management to the IT department, ensuring alignment with the company's overall business goals.
  • Act as a strategic business partner within the leadership team, collaborating with other departments to ensure a shared understanding of the business model and functional requirements.
  • Lead and mentor the IT team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Hold departmental meetings to review strategic goals, promote team building, and provide growth paths for staff.
• IT Operations & Infrastructure
  • Manage an IT staff of system administrators, application developers/analysts, and helpdesk personnel, including remote staff and outside consultants.
  • Oversee the development, design, and implementation of new applications and changes to existing systems, both in-house and through outside vendors.
  • Ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of the company's IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, and databases, cloud based and on premise.
  • Maintain the integrity and continual operation of the IT network, including internal networks, legacy applications, cloud-based solutions, and custom applications.
  • Manage and maintain communication technologies including fiber and phone system.
  • Ensure the continual functioning of mission-critical operations, including warehouse-related technical equipment and legacy applications.
  • Manage the ordering, acquisition, inventorying, and disposition of hardware and software.
  • Serve as the primary contact with outside vendors, managing relationships, negotiating costs, and improving service where warranted.
  • Perform vendor/solution decision analysis by identifying multiple options, obtaining costs, and determining the best possible solution for the company.
• Cybersecurity & Risk Management
  • Develop and enforce a robust cybersecurity strategy to protect the company's digital assets.
  • Maintain security and privacy of information systems, communication lines, and equipment by developing and executing security policies.
  • Conduct regular risk assessments and implement measures to mitigate identified risks.
  • Develop, review, and certify all back-up and disaster recovery procedures and plans.
• Day-to-Day Management
  • Provide day-to-day supervision of the IT team, conducting performance reviews, delegating work assignments, and providing ongoing prioritization in a dynamic work environment.
  • Oversee IT budgets, vendor relationships, and contracts to optimize costs and service levels.
• Innovation & Digital Transformation
  • Identify opportunities for technology-driven innovation that can enhance business operations and customer experience.
  • Lead digital transformation initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and drive revenue growth.
  • Monitor emerging technologies and trends to ensure the company remains competitive.

Qualifications:

• Education and Experience
  • Education: Minimum of a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
  • Leadership Experience: A minimum of 7+ years of experience in IT leadership roles, with a strong background in distribution, retail, or similar industries. This experience should include managing IT teams, both in-house and remote, and leading complex, multi-departmental projects. Experience in the distribution industry is a plus.
  • ERP Implementation Experience: Proven experience in leading large-scale ERP implementations, particularly Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is preferred. This experience should include overseeing the entire project lifecycle, from planning and requirements gathering to execution, training, and post-implementation support.
  • IT Infrastructure Management: Extensive experience in managing and optimizing IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, databases, and cloud solutions. This should include responsibility for ensuring system reliability, scalability, and security.
  • Cybersecurity: Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing cybersecurity strategies to protect an organization's digital assets. This should include risk management, incident response, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
  • Vendor Management: Experience in managing relationships with external vendors, including negotiating contracts, managing service levels, and conducting performance reviews. This includes experience in conducting vendor/solution decision analysis.
  • Certificates and Licenses: PMP (Project Management Professional), ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), or CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) are beneficial.
• Skills
  • Strategic Leadership: Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, guide, and develop a high-performing IT team. This includes setting strategic direction, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring alignment with business goals.
  • Project Management: Advanced project management skills, with a proven track record of delivering complex projects on time, within scope, and on budget. This includes experience with Agile or other project management methodologies, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
  • Technical Proficiency: Deep understanding of IT systems and architectures, including ERP systems, network infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and enterprise applications. This also includes staying current with emerging technologies and trends.
  • Business Acumen: Strong understanding of business operations, particularly within the distribution industry. This includes the ability to translate business needs into technical solutions and align IT initiatives with overall business objectives.
  • Communication and Collaboration: Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Strong collaboration skills are also essential, particularly in working with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.
  • Negotiation Skills: Ability to negotiate effectively with both internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure optimal outcomes for the organization. This includes experience in resolving conflicts and facilitating decision-making processes.
• Personal Attributes
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. This includes being open to change and able to pivot strategies as needed.
  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions. This includes the ability to anticipate potential challenges and proactively address them.
  • Ethical Integrity: High ethical standards and a commitment to maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of IT systems and data. This includes a dedication to compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Continuous Learning: Commitment to continuous learning and professional development, both personally and within the IT team. This includes staying current with technological advancements and industry best practices.
• Additional Considerations
  • Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with the convenience store distribution industry or similar sectors can be a significant advantage. Understanding the unique challenges and opportunities within this industry will enable more effective IT strategies and solutions.
  • Crisis Management: Experience in crisis management, particularly in responding to IT-related incidents such as data breaches, system outages, or cyber-attacks. This includes the ability to lead an effective response and minimize disruption to business operations.
• Work schedule
  • Ability to work standard business hours with occasional evening or weekend work required to meet project deadlines or address urgent issues.
  • Flexibility to respond to emergencies outside of normal working hours, particularly in the case of system outages or critical incidents.

Competencies:

• Leadership and Vision
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to align IT strategy with business goals and anticipate future technological trends.
  • Team Leadership: Skill in leading, mentoring, and developing a high-performing IT team.
  • Change Management: Expertise in managing change within the organization, especially during large-scale IT implementations.
• Project Management
  • Project Planning and Execution: Ability to plan, execute, and deliver projects on time, within scope, and on budget.
  • Risk Management: Proficiency in identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies.
  • Decision-Making: Strong decision-making skills, especially under pressure, to drive projects forward.
• Technical Expertise
  • ERP Systems Knowledge: Deep understanding of ERP systems, particularly Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations.
  • IT Infrastructure Management: Expertise in managing complex IT infrastructures, including networks, servers, and databases.
  • Cybersecurity: Strong knowledge of cybersecurity practices and the ability to develop and enforce security policies.
• Collaboration and Communication
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with other departments to ensure a shared understanding of business needs.
  • Vendor Management: Skills in managing relationships with vendors, including negotiation and contract management.
  • Stakeholder Communication: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Innovation and Problem-Solving
  • Innovative Thinking: Ability to identify and implement technology-driven innovations that enhance business operations.
  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to troubleshoot and resolve complex IT issues.
  • Adaptability: Flexibility in adapting to new technologies and changing business environments.
• Business Acumen
  • Understanding of Business Operations: Deep understanding of the distribution industry and the specific challenges and opportunities it presents.
  • Financial Management: Ability to manage IT budgets effectively and optimize costs while delivering high-quality services.
  • Customer Focus: Strong focus on delivering technology solutions that improve customer experience and drive business growth.
• Ethical and Professional Standards
  • Integrity and Trust: Commitment to ethical standards and maintaining the integrity of IT systems.
  • Confidentiality: Ability to manage sensitive information securely and maintain the privacy of data.
  • Continuous Improvement: Dedication to continuous learning and professional development for both oneself and the IT team.

Benefits:

• Complete medical, dental, vision, life, pet, disability, and accident insurances starting the first of the month following 60-days of employment.
• 401(k) after 6 months with 2% employer match.
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other mental health benefits available!
• Ability to purchase products from the warehouse at wholesale price.