Grainger is a broad line, business-to-business distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supplies and other related products and services. More than 3.2 million businesses and institutions worldwide rely on Grainger for products such as safety gloves, ladders, motors and janitorial supplies, along with services like inventory management and technical support. These customers represent a broad collection of industries including commercial, government, healthcare and manufacturing. They place orders online, on mobile devices, through sales representatives, over the phone and at local branches. Approximately 5,000 suppliers provide Grainger with more than 1.6 million products stocked in Grainger’s distribution centers and branches worldwide.

Sr. Mgr, eCommerce Software Engineering

Primary Function:

1. Manager of Software Engineering is responsible for aligning business needs to flexible IT solutions through eCommerce application development and software. These IT systems are relied upon to enable our business to drive values to our customers while improving the financials results for the company. A successful candidate will have experience managing day to day operations, as well as engaging the business partners in a long term IT strategy that serves with the business strategy. The candidate will have a proven experience in leading best practice development methodologies including Agile/Scrum; best-in-class techniques including Automated Build/Test, Integrated Agile/Test tools; and world-class technologies including Hybris, JBOSS, Endeca, Oracle, SAP, Cassandra, mobile web solutions, and others.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

• Providing the vision for and directing the Web eCommerce initiative and taking point on all things dealing with eCommerce Web Application Development.
• Responsible for the end to end digital system processes and their continuous improvement.
• Build relationships with the business functional groups at all levels and fully understand how they do business.
• Capable of translating the business requests into timely solutions that also align with the overall IT strategy.
• Guide the use of technology tools to meet the business needs through software solution design and/or application integration.
• Capable of directing developers and understanding their challenges.
• Partners with the business functional group to:
• Develop a short-term and long-term technology strategy to achieve corporate goals.
• Execute and improve a communication plan between the business functional groups and IT for key business and IT initiatives.
• Oversee application development for the business functional groups, following our Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) process.
• Ensure the applications can be supported with comprehensive development documentation, test cases and logical application diagrams.
• Prepare and own a list of prioritized IT initiatives (including an official charter, game plan of projects, etc.) to align with improving specific business processes.
• Manage all projects and ensure budgets, timelines and resource requirements are met and conduct post implementation reviews to document lessons learned.
• Manage and mentor the team to ensure all associates are progressing in their career plans while supporting company goals.
• Ensure appropriate training is being carried out and the technical, as well as the business understanding of the IT team is ahead of the curve.
• Ensure regular team visits to maintain a level of understanding of the business and build relationships that can be drawn upon for future initiatives.

System Landscape:

• eCommerce Engineering includes the following major systems:
  • Hybris using Tomcat and Spring with an Oracle Database
  • Middle Tier using JBoss, Cassandra, ESB, ODM, Stibo and MDM
  • CORE using SAP

Preferred Education & Experience:

• 10+ years’ experience, including time working with application development and software delivery
• Well-developed analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Familiar with structured development methodologies
• Must demonstrate deep B2B and B2C eCommerce technical and business knowledge 

• Proven ability to align information systems to effectively solve strategic business problems 

• Experience managing employee and contractor teams in multiple locations 

• Strong an Experience effectively managing large groups of people >30 and large budgets >$15 M 

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to build teams and meet project goals
• Ability to communicate effectively action items and deliverables
• Self-starter with initiative and ability to work independently

“Grainger is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or protected veteran status.”