Head of Systems and Digital Development

About Us 

We are nestled in the Slad Valley in Stroud, with extensive gardens and a short walk to town. At The Natural Dispensary, we are dedicated to enhancing the well-being of our customers through our offering of natural health products. We believe in the power of nature and are committed to creating a positive impact on our community and the environment. 

We are an e-commerce business with our own fulfilment centre onsite. With a portfolio of over 650 brands, we service the orders of practitioners and their clients. This is an exciting time to take the systems that have assisted us in being a successful company forward. 

Our warehouse facilities are currently under development, with a new site next door being built. Partial automation will be implemented, along with IT enhancements, to ensure our team is best supported in their roles. 

We embrace diversity, equality, and inclusivity in all aspects of our workplace. We are committed to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives to our mission of promoting holistic wellness and sustainability. We are proudly a family-founded company, with other companies in our portfolio. 

About the Role 

We are seeking an individual excited to take on leadership, develop our technology landscape, and be part of our team. This is a new role and will involve reviewing current systems and considering additions and enhancements where required for aspects such as ERP, CRM, WMS, and automation integration. 

This role is responsible for developing and overseeing all aspects of the company's technology infrastructure and strategy. This includes managing the development and implementation of new technologies, ensuring the security and efficiency of existing systems, and leading a team of technology professionals. 

You and our team will review business requirements and implement an ecosystem to suit the business needs, ensuring best practice and efficiency. You will also learn about the newest technology and best practices, and look for ways to upgrade the organisation’s systems, negotiating with vendors to get the highest level of service for the organisation’s technology. You will plan and direct other IT professionals, including computer systems analysts or software developers. 

Lead the internal IT team, liaise with all departments to assess needs, and manage external service providers. 

Your Team 

• Project Manager 
• Systems Analyst 
• Developer NOP 
• External NOP Consultant 
• External Technical Service Provider 

Responsibilities 

• Develop and implement the company's technology strategy and roadmap. 
• Oversee the design, development, and implementation of technology solutions. 
• Manage and lead a team of technology professionals, providing guidance and support. 
• Ensure the security and integrity of the company's technology infrastructure. 
• Collaborate with other departments to identify and address technology needs and opportunities. 
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and advancements in technology to drive innovation. 
• Manage technology budgets and resources effectively. 
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and tools to enhance efficiency and productivity. 
• Establish and enforce technology policies and procedures to ensure compliance and data protection. 
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the technology team. 
• Lead the ERP review and develop a roadmap to encompass WMS, CRM, and digital phone systems. 
• Mentor and coach new team members and junior-level staff. 
• Recognise opportunities to improve process efficiencies and implement them.

Required Skills & Experience 

 Technical Leadership & Strategy 

• Proven experience in designing and implementing technology roadmaps (e.g., ERP, WMS, CRM). 
• Experience with e-commerce platforms and fulfilment centre technologies, preferably with partial or full automation projects. 
• Strong communication and people management skills. 
• Stakeholder engagement, including vendor negotiation and cross-departmental collaboration. 

Project & Change Management 

• Hands-on experience in project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, PRINCE2). 
• Implementation of continuous improvement initiatives, driving process efficiencies and automation. 

Systems, Security & Compliance 

• Proficiency in system architecture and integrations (e.g., APIs, data flows, middleware). 
• Knowledge of information security, data protection regulations (GDPR), and best practices. 

Interpersonal & Communication Skills 

• Ability to translate technical concepts into business benefits for non-technical stakeholders. 
• Negotiation skills, especially with external vendors and service providers. 

Business Acumen & Industry Insight 

• Understanding of the natural health, well-being, or supplements industry (advantageous, though not essential). 

Please make applications to Helen.

Cover letter and CV necessary 

Deadline 14th Feb 

International applications will not be considered