Manager of Application Development

Wild Birds Unlimited Corporate•Carmel, IN

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc. is the original and leading franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores. With over 360 locations, we specialize in expert advice and an exclusive line of highest-quality, effective products designed to fulfill our mission by bringing people and nature together. We are looking for a high-impact Manager of Application Development to lead the technical evolution of our franchise support systems. As a key stakeholder in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you won't just be managing code, you’ll be building value in a company you help own. You will be the architect and guardian of the applications that empower our FSC staff and franchise owners. From system architecture and application performance to the deployment of visual dashboards that drive retail sales, you will ensure our technology meets the strategic, long-term goals of the company and enhances the value of our collective employee-owned enterprise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Technology, Engineering, or an equivalent mix of education and professional experience.
Proven experience managing application development cycles and technical personnel.
Deep familiarity with SQL scripts, data integrity management, and modern system architecture.
Strategic Mindset & Tech Savvy: You see future possibilities and translate them into breakthrough tech strategies.
Customer Focus & Balances Stakeholders: You build strong relationships with franchise owners and deliver solutions centered on their needs.
Manages Complexity & Decision Quality: You make sense of high-quantity, complex information to make timely, sound decisions.
Communicates Effectively: You develop multi-mode communications that make technical concepts clear to diverse audiences.
Directs Work & Optimizes Processes: You are an expert at delegating, removing obstacles, and finding the most efficient way to get things done.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a retail or franchise environment, or experience working within an ESOP structure.

Responsibilities

Design migration and continuous improvement strategies to ensure our applications remain current, secure, and hosted on modern platforms.
Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of all systems, including retail store software, corporate information systems, and business data processing.
Oversee in-house programmers and manage third-party vendors/consultants, ensuring they deliver on-time, high-quality work that meets Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Develop advanced visual dashboards, scorecards, and on-demand metrics that provide stores with the business insight needed to boost sales performance.
Enforce IS policies and security measures to safeguard information resources and minimize risks to data and programs.
Manage information processing and application access for both corporate staff and franchisee stakeholders.