Chief Technology Officer - Retail

About the Role

We are seeking a forward-thinking, execution-driven Chief Technology Officer to lead the technology vision and operational excellence for our fast-growing retail and e-commerce/DTC company. This executive will oversee all engineering functions, IT operations, digital platforms, and project management while building and executing a strategic roadmap that supports aggressive growth, omnichannel expansion, and a modern, scalable tech infrastructure. The ideal candidate is both a strategic architect and a hands-on leader who understands retail complexity, e-commerce acceleration, and the demands of high-volume digital transactions. They know how to build world-class teams, modernize tech stacks, optimize system integrations, and translate business goals into technical execution. This role requires a leader who has scaled technology at a high-growth brand, managed full-stack engineering teams, and has the courage to rebuild, optimize, and innovate across an entire digital ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

Technology Strategy & Roadmap

• Build and lead a multi-year technology roadmap that supports aggressive retail and DTC growth.
• Champion digital innovation across e-commerce, mobile, in-store technology, loyalty, POS, and customer experience.
• Identify tech gaps, vulnerabilities, and modernization opportunities—then execute.
• Partner with Executive Leadership to align technical initiatives with business goals and revenue targets.

Engineering Leadership

• Lead and mentor high-performing engineering teams across front-end, back-end, platform, and QA.
• Implement engineering best practices, code quality standards, sprint discipline, and scalable development processes.
• Drive architectural decisions, automation, systems design, and software reliability.
• Evaluate build vs buy decisions for platforms, integrations, and new tools.

IT & Infrastructure Ownership

• Oversee all IT operations, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and internal systems.
• Build a secure, reliable, high-uptime environment across retail stores and digital operations.
• Manage data architecture, integrations, cloud environments, and hardware/software procurement.

E-Commerce & Digital Product

• Own the technical performance of the DTC e-commerce platform and all connected systems.
• Improve site speed, stability, conversion, personalization, and user experience.
• Drive innovation around checkout, payments, fulfillment, inventory visibility, and omni-channel experiences.
• Partner with Marketing and Operations to support rapid traffic growth and campaign load.

Project Management & Execution

• Lead the PMO (Project Management Office) to ensure flawless execution of tech initiatives.
• Prioritize cross-functional projects with clear timelines, resource plans, and success metrics.
• Ensure on-time delivery of technology enhancements, integrations, and new builds.
• Implement agile methodologies that support continuous improvement.

Vendor & Partner Management

• Oversee all external tech vendors, agencies, contractors, and platform partners.
• Negotiate contracts, evaluate vendor performance, and ensure alignment with strategy.
• Manage enterprise systems including ERP, CRM, POS, CMS, WMS, loyalty, and marketing tech.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in technology leadership, including 5+ years leading engineering teams.
• Experience in retail, e-commerce, DTC, CPG, or scalable consumer brands required.
• Proven track record modernizing tech stacks and leading digital transformation.
• Deep understanding of:
• Full-stack development
• Cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• E-commerce platforms (Shopify Plus, Magento, custom builds, etc.)
• Integrations (ERP, POS, OMS, CRM, WMS)
• Data architecture and security
• Strong background in IT, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems.
• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Ability to balance innovation with operational excellence.
• Experience building and scaling teams in a high-growth environment.

What Success Looks Like

• Modern, scalable tech stack capable of supporting rapid retail and e-commerce expansion.
• High-performing engineering, IT, and PMO teams working in sync.
• Faster development cycles, cleaner releases, and consistent on-time delivery.
• A secure, stable, high-uptime environment across all digital and physical operations.
• Dramatic improvements in site performance, traffic capacity, and conversion.
• Clear communication, transparency, and alignment between technology and the rest of the business.
• A digital foundation that becomes a competitive advantage not a bottleneck.

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