Director, Technology Strategy and Transformation (Convenience)

Sodexo's InReach business is seeking a Director, Technology Strategy & Transformation (Convenience) in the DMV area

Drive and ensure accountability of business optimization initiatives. Drive change across the organization - working at a high level to identify process gaps across the Segment by owning Operational Excellence, and driving strategy

About the job

Sodexo/InReach has an exciting opening for a Director, Project Management. The role is responsible for designing, establishing, and executing on the technology infrastructure required to support the growing Convenience business in close partnership with Sodexo’s Tech team. Reporting to InReach’s COO, and working closely with the Chief Financial Officer and other InReach executive leaders, and their teams to identify and align InReach initiatives that enhance the Segments’ ability to achieve their profitable growth objectives with technology as a core enabler. The incumbent will identify and track progress on transformation projects, quantify, monitor, and report the value that these initiatives deliver to the business, and manage requirements definition key InReach initiatives/projects that support growth objectives.

This is not a traditional IT or project management role. The Director will operate at the intersection of business strategy, technology, retail and transformation —translating business needs and emerging consumer expectations into a clear technology vision, capability roadmap and portfolio of strategic investments.

A successful candidate will bring experience with retail, convenience and/or omnichannel technology ecosystems and understand how technology can connect the consumer, client and operator experience across physical and digital channels. This may include capabilities such as point-of-sale and payment platforms, mobile and digital experiences, e-commerce, loyalty, merchandising and promotions, consumer analytics, inventory and supply chain technology, AI and automation, and enterprise data platforms

Given the evolving nature of the Convenience business, this individual must be comfortable working through ambiguity, creating structure where it does not yet exist, and defining a future state while simultaneously delivering near-term business value.

Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.

Pay Range: $115940 per year - $180070 per year

Incentive Eligibility: Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary

What’s in it for you

Provide services in support of the sales effort through feasibility studies, pricing, and quality service.

Improve revenue and profit margins by ensuring the initiatives are successfully and consistently implemented and tracked across the segment. Drive operational consistency and best practices

• Define the Convenience technology strategy and roadmap, translating the business growth strategy into the technology capabilities, platforms, data and investments required to enable the future-state business.

• Partner with executive leadership to identify how technology can create competitive differentiation, accelerate profitable growth, improve the consumer and client experience, and increase operational efficiency.

• Develop a cohesive omnichannel and retail technology strategy connecting physical retail, vending, micro markets, office coffee and pantry solutions with digital consumer experiences, payments, loyalty, promotions, merchandising and data.

• Assess the current technology ecosystem and define the future-state architecture and capability roadmap, identifying opportunities to simplify platforms, close capability gaps and improve integration across the business.

• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, platforms and strategic partners, including opportunities related to AI, automation, computer vision, personalization, dynamic pricing, consumer analytics and next-generation unattended retail.

• Translate emerging technology opportunities into pragmatic business cases, pilots and scalable solutions, balancing innovation, speed, economics, scalability and operational feasibility.

• Partner across Technology, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Management and other functions to ensure technology investments solve meaningful business problems and support broader strategic priorities.

• Establish governance and prioritization mechanisms for the technology portfolio, ensuring investments are aligned to strategy, appropriately sequenced and delivering measurable business value.

• Lead strategic technology initiatives from concept through implementation, including business case development, requirements definition, partner selection, pilot design, deployment and value realization.

• Develop clear executive-level recommendations and roadmaps that translate complex technology topics into business implications, strategic choices and investment decisions.

• Build alignment across a complex stakeholder environment and serve as a connector between Convenience leadership, enterprise technology teams, external partners and operators.

• Serve as a change and transformation leader, helping the organization adopt new capabilities, ways of working and technology-enabled operating models.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. MBA or related level of education preferred.

• Minimum 5+ years at the Senior Manager or Director level in planning, analytics, and project management.

• Experience within retail, convenience, consumer services, hospitality, foodservice or another omnichannel environment strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated understanding of retail and consumer technology capabilities such as POS/payments, digital commerce, mobile, loyalty, merchandising, promotions, inventory, consumer analytics and data platforms.

• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to move fluidly between enterprise strategy, technology architecture, business capabilities and execution.

• Experience developing business cases and evaluating technology investments based on business value, scalability and ROI.

• Leadership presence with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.

• Superior communication skills

• Advanced project management skills, PMP certification preferred.

• Advanced MS Office Skills

• Advanced Smart Sheet skills

• Advanced interpersonal and facilitation skills

Requirements

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

• Management Experience: 5 years

• Related Experience: 5 years

What we offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs

• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions

• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays

• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

Who we are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form. (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/dbdf3c39f65e4cd49eda84cc599389ab)