RHH202610

Chief Information Officer

B2C

THE COMPANY

Our client is a growing, founder-led company with nearly 200 employees, serving customers across all 50 states and in more than 10 countries. Founded over 30 years ago, the company has grown from a small service operation into a leading wholesaler, eCommerce brand, and retail direct-to-consumer distributor of specialty products, and it also owns, develops, and manufactures products under its own brands. They are guided by a strong mission and values-driven culture that emphasizes passion, expertise, innovation, and exceptional customer service. Leadership describes the culture as “tribe-like”: a family-oriented environment built on collaboration, positivity, and continuous improvement.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client seeks a dynamic, strategic, and hands-on Chief Information Officer to join its executive leadership team at a pivotal moment in the company’s growth. As the business continues to scale its eCommerce platform and multi-division operations, the CIO will be at the center of innovation, responsible for driving the systems, strategy, and vision that power the business. This is a high-impact opportunity for a senior technology executive who thrives at the intersection of technology strategy, business operations, and customer experience. It is not simply an IT oversight role; it is a seat at the strategic management table where the CIO will contribute to the organization’s long-term growth and direction. Operating within a disciplined process to evaluate and prioritize initiatives, and with the support of senior leadership, the CIO will have decision-making authority over technology strategy, systems, and investments to drive meaningful change across the organization. The right person thrives on momentum, takes ownership, and brings an energetic, hands-on approach that inspires others. You will join a close-knit, collaborative team where delivering exceptional customer service drives the business every day.

This position reports to an owner and leads a team of nine, including four direct reports.

JOB DEFINITION

The Chief Information Officer owns the full breadth of the company’s information and business systems, IT infrastructure, software applications, ERP platform, data architecture, and digital initiatives. The ideal candidate brings enterprise technology leadership experience, hands-on technical acumen, and the emotional intelligence to lead a team within a founder-led, values-driven culture. They must be someone who can build long-term technology roadmaps and leverage technology to directly impact revenue, improve operational efficiency, and elevate customer experience. They will get into the “weeds” of the business to remove roadblocks, rolling up their sleeves. They must be able to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights that drive informed decision-making across the organization. The CIO must embrace innovation and possess the resilience and optimism central to the company’s cultural identity, where “can’t” and “impossible” are not part of the vocabulary. Experience in eCommerce or multi-channel B2B/B2C environments is highly valuable, and familiarity with IoT or connected device ecosystems is a plus. The successful CIO will serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive team, translating complex technology concepts for diverse audiences, negotiating vendor relationships, overseeing budgets, and ensuring technology investments deliver measurable business value. They will also communicate with transparency, build relationships across departments, and develop their team through coaching, mentoring, and clear career progression.

SKILLS

The CIO will shape and drive the technology vision that powers every corner of this business, turning systems, infrastructure, and emerging technologies into real competitive advantages that fuel growth across all three divisions.

  • Lead the strategic design and long-term architecture of information systems, software applications, the ERP platform, and IT infrastructure; direct mission-critical initiatives to ensure company-wide performance, stability, and scalability.
  • Serve as a member of the senior executive team, contributing to business strategy and ensuring technology investments align with and accelerate the company’s growth objectives across all divisions.
  • Identify and integrate emerging technologies, particularly AI and IoT.
  • Establish and own data architecture, system integrations, and business intelligence capabilities across ERP and connected platforms (ecommerce, marketplaces, EDI), ensuring seamless data flow and reliable reporting.
  • Responsible for risk management, data security, and disaster recovery planning; conduct regular audits and updates to protect company and customer data.
  • Set timelines, priorities, and budgets for major IT initiatives; serve as the primary decision-maker and communication hub to align internal teams and external vendors.
  • Manage IT support operations, including helpdesk, hardware deployment, and access management to support a hybrid workforce.
  • Build cross-functional relationships with leaders across e-commerce, marketing, R&D, operations, finance, and customer service, to continuously improve end-to-end business processes while communicating complex technology strategies and outcomes clearly to non-technical stakeholders, including the CEO and senior leadership team.
  • Build and manage vendor relationships that deliver real value, negotiating contracts that balance cost, quality, and long-term fit to ensure cost-effective, high-quality service delivery.
  • Build a culture of technology-driven customer experience excellence, ensuring that systems and solutions support and enhance every customer interaction across B2B and B2C channels.

 

Leadership and Management:

  • Provide visionary, hands-on leadership to the technology team, setting clear goals, modeling accountability, and fostering a collaborative, high-trust environment consistent with the company’s values-driven culture.
  • Develop and mentor technology team members through coaching, training, and career progression opportunities, building a high-performance culture of service excellence.
  • Champion a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and simplification, embracing change and challenging the status quo in pursuit of better solutions.

BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE

  • At least four years of leading technology at a senior level, whether as a CIO, VP of IT, or equivalent role with real strategic responsibility.
  • Outstanding knowledge of modern technology stack, including cloud and SaaS applications, enterprise platforms, and integration architectures.
  • A deep understanding of data flow and core business processes (e.g., Order → Ship → Customer and Buy → Make → Stock).
  • Hands-on experience with ERP platforms and enterprise business systems, including the design, development, and implementation of IT systems at scale, with a track record of supporting departments with meaningful enhancements and efficiencies.
  • Solid understanding of data architecture, system integrations, and business intelligence platforms.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of IT budgeting, financial planning, and business operations.
  • An analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills and the demonstrated ability to match technical solutions to business requirements.
  • Experience overseeing IT support operations, including helpdesk, hardware deployment, and access management.
  • Outstanding communication skills across diverse audiences, including strong executive presentation abilities.
  • Cultural fit with a high-energy, values-driven environment that prizes positivity, innovation, and a customer-first mindset.
  • Ability to work an occasional evening or weekend availability for critical projects.

 

Education:

  • A bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, engineering, or a related field is preferred but not required.
If you have these qualifications and are looking for a challenging career, please submit your Resume using the button below.
Todd Hohauser
CEO & Lead Consultant
Kate Scott
Director, Executive Recruitment