Church’s Texas Chicken

Employee Job Description

Job Title: Vice President of Restaurant Technology

Reports to: CIO

Department: Information Technology

Location: Remote

Job Summary:

The Vice President of Restaurant Technology leads the innovation and improvement of Church's Texas Chicken's technology solutions, which enhance customer satisfaction, operational performance, and data-driven decision-making. This role oversees the selection, deployment, and integration of various technologies such as POS systems, digital ordering and delivery platforms, kitchen management systems, customer engagement tools, and data analytics platforms, ensuring that they suit diverse market needs and comply with international data protection regulations. This role also coordinates with international teams to align technology strategies and data policies, supporting the brand's global growth.

Key Duties/Responsibilities:

• Comprehensive Technology Leadership: Direct a diverse team in managing restaurant technologies, including POS and back-office systems, integrating digital ordering, kitchen display systems, loyalty programs, and digital signage to enhance customer experience. Implement mobile app, internet, Wi-Fi, digital signage and kiosks for increased customer engagement and repeat business.
• Strategic Vision for Restaurant Technology and Data: Develop and execute a strategic vision for restaurant technology and data management that aligns with business goals and improves organizational capabilities.
• Global Technology Strategy: Work with international teams to create a cohesive technology strategy that supports global expansion, emphasizing scalable and adaptable solutions that cater to local and international market needs.
• Enhanced Partnership and Collaboration: Foster strong internal and external partnerships to enhance technology strategy and digital capabilities, with a focus on data-driven collaboration.
• Operational Excellence and Innovation: Ensure operational excellence and innovation in technology solutions, overseeing data management for security and accessibility, and promoting the use of collaboration tools for better productivity.
• Data Management Leadership: Lead efforts in data collection, processing, storage, and analysis to enable informed decision-making and strategic insights, maintaining high standards for data governance and compliance.
• Enterprise Collaboration Oversight: Manage the selection and implementation of enterprise collaboration tools to meet business needs and enhance team communication and project management.
• Strategic Call Center Management: Strategically oversee technology-related call centers, setting service standards, monitoring performance metrics, and applying best practices for customer service and technical support.
• Support Process Standardization: Develop standardized support processes for a universal service desk, focusing on uniform support quality across technologies and locations, including a knowledge base, training programs, and clear escalation paths.
• Performance Monitoring for Continuous Improvement: Establish and monitor KPIs for the service desk, using a data-driven approach for continuous service improvement and operational efficiency.
• Vendor and Security Management: Strategically manage vendor relations and ensure technology, data, and collaboration platforms are secure and compliant.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Team Development: Act as a key technology advocate, cultivating strong stakeholder relationships and fostering a culture of innovation within the technology team.

Position Requirements (Education, Qualifications, Experience):

• Educational Background: bachelor's or master’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field. Additional qualifications in Business Administration or Hospitality Management are highly desirable, reflecting a blend of technical prowess and business acumen.
• Industry Experience: Minimum of 12 years in technology leadership roles, with at least 5 years specifically within the restaurant, hospitality, or retail sectors. Experience should include successful deployment of restaurant technologies such as POS systems, digital ordering platforms, customer engagement tools, and back-office systems. Demonstrated experience in international markets and working with diverse cultural teams is essential.
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of current and emerging restaurant technologies, including but not limited to POS systems (e.g., Qu, Oracle, PAR, NCR), Back Office platforms, digital ordering and delivery platforms, kitchen display systems, loyalty programs, and data analytics platforms. Understanding of IT infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and compliance standards relevant to the restaurant industry.
• Strategic Planning and Execution: Proven ability to develop and execute a strategic technology roadmap that aligns with the overall business objectives. Experience in conducting market research, competitor analysis, and leveraging industry trends to inform strategic decisions.
• Leadership and Team Development: Exceptional leadership skills with a track record of building, mentoring, and leading high-performing technology teams. Ability to foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and accountability.
• Vendor and Stakeholder Management: Strong negotiation skills and experience managing relationships with technology vendors, service providers, and internal stakeholders. Ability to effectively communicate technology strategies to non-technical stakeholders and build consensus across different departments.
• Project Management: Excellent project management skills, with experience leading large-scale technology implementations and migrations. Familiarity with project management tools and methodologies, and a proven ability to manage budgets, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical abilities and a problem-solving mindset. Capable of making data-driven decisions and solving complex technical challenges under pressure.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Outstanding communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence at all levels of the organization, from team members to executive leadership.
• Adaptability and Resilience: High level of adaptability and resilience, with the ability to navigate change, manage risks, and lead through ambiguity in a fast-paced industry.
• Customer service and call center management: Experience in setting up, managing, or consolidating call centers, expertise in customer service operations, and familiarity with service desk software and technologies.

Competencies:

• Critical Thinking – Defines and resolves a situation or problem by analyzing issues involved, weighing options, and evaluating alternatives; maintains objective attitude; approaches situations and problems systematically; uses observation, experience, reflection, and/or reasoning to drive business forward.
• Influencing Others – Convinces and persuades others in either positive or negative circumstances to accomplish goals and objectives; responds to objections successfully; uses tact when expressing ideas or opinions.
• Initiative – Acts proactively; addresses issues or opportunities without supervision; focuses on desired results and accomplishments; demonstrates clear purpose, enthusiasm, and a “can-do” attitude.
• Innovative and Creative – Looks for ways to improve oneself, the job, the project, the system, and the organization; challenges conventional practices, generates new ideas to create novel solutions to problems.
• Managing Execution – Manages multiple projects and effectively prioritizes tasks and goals; uses goals to guide actions and create detailed action plans; organizes and schedules people and tasks; utilizes resources effectively to meet goals.
• Negotiating – Presents issues or ideas in a clear and influential manner; maintains an open-minded and non-judgmental attitude; listens to others’ views and empathizes.
• Relationship Management – Initiates and develops relationships with others; demonstrates credibility; confronts conflict quickly and professionally; inspires confidence in others.

Physical Requirements:

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Travel up to 35% domestic and international.

1. If you’re hungry for a career that’s fun, fast-paced and loaded with opportunity, then you’ve come to the right place. At Church's®, we’re not your typical quick service restaurant. We make real comfort food that makes a difference in peoples’ lives. And for over 60 years, our restaurant has been a place where hard-working people can get ahead and go on to do amazing things by serving others.

2. Church’s Chicken is an equal employment opportunity employer and makes hiring and employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.