Job Post: VP – Technology

Vice President – Technology

Vending & Food Service Company 

 Our Client: Our client is privately held – has an excellent management team and is well funded. For business reasons details on this employer will be kept confidential during this candidate identification and initial candidate screening process. Full disclosure will be made to all candidates who are chosen to go through the interviewing and hiring decision-making process. We can tell you that possessing capital, strong leadership and a recently acquired $90M platform, our client ‘s “next generation” vending & food services company is poised for a significant shift with an opportunity “to change the rules” in the $25 billion vending industry.   With a strategy and operations in place, the company’s new leadership seeks to drive growth and increase market share through organic initiatives, acquisitions, innovation and building brand equity to effectively redefine the vending category. Our Client’s Technology Strategy: The technology initiative that will be undertaken by the company will be among the most aggressive in the industry. As a reference point, wireless technology for remote vending machine monitoring has been in the industry for at least 5 years. With well over 3 million vending machines in the US, there are only 10,000 vending machines deployed with wireless technology in the entire industry. This is due to lack of capital, leadership and inertia. The company intends to deploy wireless technology for its entire fleet of 10,000 vending machines as well as for many acquisitions it will do.  This is a multi-million dollar, “bet the business,” complex, enterprise-wide technology initiative.    This Search:  We have been asked to identify, pre-screen and present Technology Candidates who are well versed in “wireless technology for remote vending machine monitoring” and “Technology Candidates who have the ability and the expertise to define – build – implement and manage this kind of breakthrough technology footprint with external technology suppliers, customer locations and internal sales, operations, technology and data/financial resources” using all the tools and resources available to them.  Technology Professionals who have the following Personal Attributes:·        Proactive and strategic thinker ·        Technology visionary ·        Strong communication and interpersonal skills·        Leadership by collaboration ·        Strong rapport-building/consultative skills and knowledge that leads internal and external constituents to seek his/her advice on technology vision, architecture, problems and opportunities and build confidence·        Resourceful·        Networks fluently to continually develop and build relationships at all levels·        High personal integrity & ability to inspire trust·        Bright, intelligent and capable of quickly excelling in a sophisticated, high tech business·        Entrepreneurial, aggressive and able to assess and take appropriate risks·        Passionate and highly motivated to take action and achieve results  RoleThis is a newly created position. Reporting directly to the President, the VP, Technology hired will operate at a senior executive level across multiple organizations with primary responsibility for defining and architecting a breakthrough technology footprint with external technology suppliers, customer locations and internal sales, operations, technology and data/financial resources. This is key position with high visibility, accountability and influence. The VP, Technology will act as the facilitator and focus for cross-business and cross-functional team activity, representing the mandate of the CEO and Board. StyleThe VP, Technology hired will demonstrate an inclusive and non-hierarchical leadership style that engages all individuals. This person will work closely with the CEO and the President to bring the existing business vision to technical reality.  He / She will facilitate contacts between the company management, technology suppliers, employees of company and customers. The success of the VP, Technology’s will be measured both by results achieved and by his/her capacity to build an industry-leading, cost-effective and rapidly deployable technology footprint. To Be Considered: The role requires a skilled technologist with a proven track record (at least 5+ years) in world- class technology companies. Candidates should demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of strategies, solutions and technologies and must have the technology expertise and the ability for architecting a breakthrough technology footprint with external technology suppliers, customer locations and internal sales, operations, technology and data/financial resources and then implement and manage this with external technology suppliers, customer locations and internal sales, operations, technology and data/financial resources.  Compensation Package:A starting base cash salary in the $150,000 “range” will be offered to the right candidate – the actual cash base will be dependent on candidate credentials. In addition to this cash base, the candidate hired will be offered a “to be negotiated” equity piece in the company via a “to be determined” stock options plan that will be negotiated and granted at the time of hire. A multi-faceted bonus plan based on individual performance with regard to the company’s technology goals and the company yearly performance will also be offered as will a competitive benefits package along with other incentives. This is not only a wonderful career opportunity – it can also be a wealth generation opportunity. Relocation assistance will be provided to the candidate hired. “Pre Approved” air, train and overnight interviewing expenses will also be paid for by the employer. The Total Compensation Package is crafted to motivate, hire and retain the best of the best.  Key Responsibilities and Deliverables:·        Immediately upon hire, the VP, Technology will develop a technology blueprint and plan that includes technology components (software, hardware), supplier selection, budget, rollout plan·        Facilitate agreement of overall objectives among internal and external constituents ·        Create criteria for selecting and prioritizing branch rollout plan·        Work with technology suppliers to understand opportunities, risks, costs and benefits of each component of the technology plan  ·        Develop technology plan that will include wireless remote machine monitoring, back-end system conversion and integration, GPS route optimization software and vending machine technology that will a) improve route efficiency, b) facilitate organic and acquisitive growth, c) improve customer experience and point of sales ·        Create a showcase that will be used by management and sales teams for customer and supplier presentation·        Design a “command center” that will include real-time monitoring of each route, vehicle and machine·        Build an in-depth understanding of the company’s business, industry, strategic direction and competitors ·        Develop strategic, value-added partnerships with the technology suppliers by working with the key decision-makers and influencers to position long-term strategic issues and solutions·        Build understanding of capabilities and service/product offerings in the customer arena ·        Identify, qualify and prioritize all potential opportunities and risks related to the plan·        Work with multi-functional teams to guide development of solutions·        Deliver solutions, which are highly valued by the company and customers as high-impact, complex and strategic·        Proactively monitor, manage and improve quality through metrics, customer satisfaction and issue resolution·        Identify risk areas and build and manage contingency to mitigate·        Ensure that Senior Management is aware of issues and opportunities impacting technology plan·        Assume additional responsibilities as assigned·        Willing to travel extensively  Skills and Competencies·        Visionary·        Professionalism and credibility at the highest levels·        Relationship management·        Negotiation and influencing·        Planning and facilitating ·        Problem-solving·        Leading people to succeed·        Networking·        Mature judgment and decision-making·        Ability to master proficiency in the technologies of choice Education An undergraduate degree is required, preferably in engineering or computer science.  An advanced degree is desirable. Office LocationBoston, MA or in the surrounding suburbs TravelExtensively in Northeast and potentially nationally Wilcox & AssociatesClark R. WilcoxCEO and Managing Partner Jacquie WilcoxCOO and Managing Partneremail: wilcoassociates@aol.com Telephone: 203 483 1097 http://www.wilcoandassociates.com