Chief Technology Officer

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About SFD Systems

We are a young technology start-up company set to change the face of retailing.   We have developed the best-in-class digital-price-ticketing system which will enable retailers to automate their on-shelf pricing, extend their promotional opportunities and improve the appearance of their retail environments.  Our products are set to appear in a variety of international retailers, and having just secured expansion funding we are now expanding our team to enable us to meet our ambitious business goals.

This is an opportunity for a proven technical leader to join us on the ground floor, oversee the successful delivery of our products internationally and shape the future of our business.

Title

Chief Technology Officer

Job Objective

The CTO’s role is to ensure the successful delivery of the business’ mission through the successful development and deployment of our products.  This will involve overseeing the delivery of our launch products, leading the development and delivery of product upgrades and envisioning and executing the strategic product roadmap.

Main Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

  • In partnership with the leadership team, set the strategic direction of the company by identifying opportunities (and risks) for product upgrades, expansion of the product portfolio and innovation in the context of the market and competitive environment.
  • Lead strategic planning to achieve business goals by designing and overseeing quality and risk management procedures for the successful delivery of fully functioning products, identifying and prioritising development initiatives and setting timetables for delivery of all product upgrades and innovations.
  • Collaborate with operations staff and manufacturing partners to ensure that shipped product meets quality and performance standards.
  • Identify, evaluate & select appropriate technology platforms for delivering the company’s products & services.
  • Communicate the company’s product & technology strategy to customers, investors, management, partners, staff & stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with senior staff to assess and recommend technologies that support the company’s needs including office networks and computers and telecommunications.

Recruitment & Team Building & Management

  • Specify and recruit technical staff in line with the company’s values and recruitment policies.
  • Build and manage an engaged and effective technical team comprising software, hardware and production engineering staff.
  • Select and manage contractors or external agencies as appropriate.
  • Supervise training and organisation of all technical staff in accordance with the company hiring process, personnel policies, and budget requirements.
  • Establish standards of performance and monitor conformance for staff (through performance review) and contractors/agencies (through service level agreements).

Implementation & Deployment

  • Take ownership of the product architecture and designs and adapt them as appropriate.
  • Select or define the company’s NPD, NPI and software development processes & methodologies.
  • Set and embed coding conventions and documentation standards.
  • Establish procedures for and manage electronic and mechanical engineering design & development.
  • Establish and supervise the NPD process, setting short-term objectives and assessing progress.
  • Conduct code reviews and specification conformance testing as defined by the selected software development methodology.
  • Conduct full product conformance testing.
  • Review and approve proposed software & hardware development releases and manage the release process.
  • Establish and supervise a quality assurance process, including integration and system testing and the implementation of test protocols to be conducted at the manufacturer.
  • Set the standards for product performance in the field, monitor product performance, review any product & system failures and ensure appropriate improvements are made to prevent failures recurring.
  • Ensure that products receive appropriate certifications for relevant customer territories prior to launch.
  • As a member of the senior management team, establish a customer service and support process.  Support the resolution of customer issues, provide appropriate training and documentation for support staff and partners and improve products to ensure that issues do not recur.
  • Select and set up a software & hardware revision control system and repository.
  • Manage the appointment of an appropriate system administrator and/or oversee the website, email services and telecommunications infrastructure for the company.
  • Select and set up web-based internal communications systems, such as a wiki, blog, chatroom, project management, and bug tracking systems.

Operational Management

  • In collaboration with operations staff, ensure the successful operation of products in customer use.
  • Ensure company technical & product problems are resolved in a timely and cost-effective manner.
  • Develop, track and control the annual budget for product development & maintenance and all technical services.
  • Share knowledge, mentor, and educate the company’s investors, management, staff, partners, customers, and stakeholders with regard to the company’s technological vision, opportunities, and challenges.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of technology standards, industry trends, emerging technologies, NPD and software development best practices.
  • Ensure that technology standards and best practices are maintained across the company.
  • Ensure the company’s technical & NPD/NPI processes and products comply with applicable laws and regulations in relevant territories.

Skills & Competencies

Education & Qualifications

  • University degree in the field of computer science, engineering, physical sciences or mathematics or another rigorous discipline. An advanced degree is desirable.

Knowledge & Experience

  • Demonstrated ability to envision and deliver software and hardware product architectures and designs that meet customer needs
  • 10+ years experience managing & implementing new product development
  • Hands-on software architecture design and coding experience
  • Familiar with more than one software development methodology.
  • Ability to discern customer & user requirements and develop specifications.
  • Skill with CSS, XHTML, one or more Javascript frameworks, and AJAX.
  • Knowledge of web standards.
  • Experience with UNIX system administration and web server configuration.
  • Knowledge of Internet protocols and RFC standards, database management systems, and revivion control systems.
  • Knowledge of high volume electronic hardware design and manufacture
  • Knowledge of embedded firmware development, testing and deployment
  • Knowledge of embedded linux systems
  • Distributed databases
  • RESTful APIs
  • Principles of UX design
  • Statistical process control, ideally 6sigma
  • Knowledge of mechanical design, CAD, DfM etc.
  • Familiarity with information security vulnerabilities and risk management.
  • Exposure to business theory, business process development, governance processes, management, budgeting, and administrative operations.

Personal Attributes

  • Proven leadership ability.
  • Ability to set and manage priorities judiciously.
  • Ability to motivate and manage technical staff and positively collaborate with all team members
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to articulate ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Exceptionally self-motivated and directed.
  • Keen attention to detail.
  • Superior analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Exceptional service orientation.
  • On-call availability when required
  • Able to travel

Where we are

Our office and demonstration suite are based in beautiful countryside near Newmarket, and an easy commute from Cambridge.  We enjoy good transport links and plenty of parking.

Our Values

  • We take pride in our work.
  • We are honest and straightforward. 
  • We value our customers, focus on delivering them value and go the extra mile for them.
  • We believe that teamwork and collaboration will allow us to achieve our goals & ambitions.
  • We value our staff, investors and stakeholders and the contribution they make to our team.
  • We are all prepared to spot what needs to be done and roll up our sleeves to make sure our team delivers its goals.