Position Overview
Sr. Director, Business Applications leads strategy, delivery, continuous improvement of Caribou Coffee’s application portfolio, including customer-facing digital platforms, point-of-sale and coffeehouse operations systems, enterprise business systems, and integrations connecting them. Ensures applications are reliable, scalable, aligned with business priorities across corporate, field, and franchise operations. Partners with IT and business teams to translate needs into technology solutions that improve efficiency, guest experience, and support growth.
Core Responsibilities
- Technology Strategy & Application Portfolio: develop and execute a multi-year roadmap; oversee health, performance, lifecycle of application ecosystem including customer-facing digital platforms, POS and coffeehouse technology, core enterprise systems, integration architecture.
- Budget and Optimization: own portfolio budget; manage vendor spend; drive system optimization, automation, user experience improvements; rationalize portfolio to reduce complexity, debt, and cost.
- Team Operating Model: lead evolution of applications team’s operating model; establish performance metrics, accountability; partner with IT leadership to align with broader technology strategy.
- AI Enablement & Intelligent Automation: identify, prioritize, support implementation of practical AI use cases; collaborate with IT, data, business teams; ensure alignment with governance, security, responsible use.
- Delivery, Support & Operational Excellence: lead application delivery and support; ensure reliable, high-quality service; manage service levels, incident response, release management; drive continuous improvement metrics and reporting.
- Business Partnership: build trusted advisor relationships; translate complex technology into business narratives; manage application demand and prioritize work with business stakeholders.
- Vendor Management, Governance & Risk: manage vendor relationships; enforce change management, release processes, documentation; partner with IT security & risk; support audits and governance.
- People Leadership: lead, mentor team; set expectations, monitor progress; foster positive culture; lead change initiatives and communications.
Skills and Requirements
- Deep fluency in AI/ML concepts, generative AI, intelligent automation, practical enterprise AI.
- Strong command of enterprise application architecture, SaaS/cloud platforms, API/integration patterns, modern delivery methodologies (Agile, DevOps).
- Exceptional ability to build trust with business leaders and translate technology into business outcomes.
- Proven experience leading organizational or team transformation.
- Hands‑on experience with AI/ML implementation or enterprise AI strategy.
- Deep experience with enterprise application portfolios including at least two of: POS/coffeehouse platforms, digital ordering/loyalty platforms, ERP, financial management, supply chain, HR/people systems.
- Solid grounding in IT governance, change management, vendor management, budget ownership.
- Experience with security and compliance best practices.
- Strong executive presence, analytical rigor, resilient and adaptable personality.
Qualifications
- 8+ years progressive technology leadership with 5+ years managing digital and enterprise application teams.
- Track record of leading transformation, elevating capability, cultural shift, measurable performance improvement.
- Ability to partner with senior business leaders as credible technology advisor.
- Experience with Agile delivery frameworks (SAFe, Scrum, Kanban), DevOps/CI–CD practices.
- BSc/BA in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or related; MSc/MBA preferred.
Preferred
- Experience in consumer-facing industries (restaurant, retail, hospitality, CPG) with multi-unit or franchise exposure.
- Familiarity with point-of-sale, online ordering, loyalty, e-commerce, mobile platforms.
Physical Requirements
Sitting, standing, bending, lifting, moving intermittently during working hours; accommodations may be provided.
Compensation
$133,237.00 - $222,061.00 per year (starting pay subject to local and state minimum wage regulations).
Equal Opportunity Statement
Caribou Coffee Operating Company, Inc. and its affiliates are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
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