Technical Program Manager (Retail & Java Experience)

Job Title: Technical Program Manager (Retail & Java Experience)

Job Location: Bentonville, AR

Job Type: Contract

Job Description:

We are seeking a highly skilled Technical Program Manager (TPM) with expertise in Retail and Java Development to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will possess a combination of technical, project management, and business acumen, with a deep understanding of the retail industry and solid experience working with Java-based systems.

As a Technical Program Manager, you will be responsible for managing and delivering large-scale, complex projects in the retail domain. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, operations, and business stakeholders, to drive successful program outcomes. The TPM will play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless execution, delivering high-quality solutions, and meeting customer and business needs.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Management:

   • Lead and manage technical programs and projects within the retail domain, ensuring delivery within scope, time, and budget.
   • Develop program roadmaps, timelines, and resource plans, collaborating with teams to ensure on-time delivery.
   • Define clear project objectives and key results (OKRs) and monitor progress throughout the project lifecycle.
   • Anticipate and resolve issues, risks, and roadblocks to ensure successful delivery.

2. Stakeholder Management:

   • Serve as the main point of contact between technical teams and business stakeholders, ensuring alignment on goals and deliverables.
   • Communicate program progress, milestones, risks, and results to executives and stakeholders.
   • Gather and prioritize business requirements, translate them into technical specifications, and communicate them to engineering teams.

3. Technical Leadership:

   • Oversee the design, development, and deployment of Java-based retail solutions.
   • Work closely with engineers to ensure high standards for code quality, performance, and scalability.
   • Drive technical decision-making and help resolve complex technical issues as they arise.
   • Understand and apply key retail technologies, systems, and integrations (e.g., POS systems, inventory management, eCommerce platforms).

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

   • Collaborate with product managers, UX/UI designers, business analysts, and other teams to develop and refine product features.
   • Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement across engineering and non-engineering teams.
   • Ensure that all cross-functional teams are aligned and work efficiently together.

5. Continuous Improvement:

   • Analyze project performance metrics and provide insights for continuous improvement.
   • Drive process improvements to increase project efficiency and reduce time-to-market.
   • Encourage best practices in software development and program management.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• 5 years of experience in a technical program management role, ideally within the retail industry.
• Strong technical background with hands-on experience in Java-based development and solutions.
• Proven experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects in retail, eCommerce, or similar industries.
• Deep understanding of retail technology stacks (e.g., POS, inventory management, eCommerce platforms).
• Excellent project management skills with experience in Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban).
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly identify, analyze, and resolve issues.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to balance technical and business considerations in decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and deployment of scalable solutions.
• Familiarity with retail operations, including customer experience, merchandising, supply chain, and omnichannel strategies.
• Agile certifications (e.g., Scrum Master, PMP, or equivalent).
• Experience working with Java frameworks such as Spring, Hibernate, or similar.
• Experience in retail analytics, machine learning, or AI-driven retail solutions is a plus.