About Golden Waffles
Headquartered in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, Golden Waffles (f.k.a. Golden Malted) is the largest supplier of waffle irons and waffle mix to the hospitality and foodservice industry. The Company provides a comprehensive turnkey waffle program consisting of mixes, toppings, and flavorings along with waffle iron equipment and related maintenance to over 40,000 customer locations throughout North America. The Company's renowned irons and mixes have been used in leading restaurants, hotels, colleges, corporate environments, and theme parks for over 85 years.
As a complete B2B2C solution provider for the waffle category, the Company enables customers the ability to offer their guests a consistently high-quality, delicious product at high margins without the typical obstacles associated with serving waffles. Golden Waffles’s well-established geographic footprint provides coast to coast coverage in the U.S. and a global distribution partner network that can service customers across the U.S. and in ~45 countries.
Golden Waffles employs ~230 associates with a geographically dispersed route delivery team of ~115. Over 80 distribution centers are located across the United States along with a waffle iron manufacturing and refurbishment center in South Bend, Indiana to ensure prompt distribution to all customers.
It is an exciting time to join Golden Waffles with the infusion of new resources, new growth, and an emphasis on innovation. Additional information can be found at https://www.goldenwaffles.com/.
Purpose
The Director of IT will lead the development and execution of Golden Waffles’ information technology strategy, ensuring that IT operations and systems align with the organization’s business objectives, security measures, and growth plans.
This individual will be responsible for modernizing the IT infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and driving digital transformation initiatives. The Director of IT will build and scale the IT function, optimizing resources and implementing best practices to support business continuity and innovation. This role demands a visionary leader who can manage limited resources effectively while transitioning the company from legacy systems to more scalable, robust technologies, positioning the organization for sustained growth and technological advancement.
Role Responsibilities
IT Infrastructure Management
- Oversee the design, deployment, and maintenance of current and future IT infrastructure, ensuring it is robust, scalable, and secure to meet current and future demands.
- Maintain and upgrade hardware, software, and network components to ensure optimal performance and security.
Leadership and Team Management
- Provide leadership and direction to the IT team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment while managing performance and development.
- Recruit, hire, and train IT staff, ensuring the team has the necessary skills to upscale Golden Waffles’ IT function.
Cybersecurity and Data Integrity
- Implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures and maintain disaster recovery plans to protect company data and IT systems.
- Regularly update security protocols and monitor IT systems to ensure data integrity and compliance with standards.
- Ensure employees uphold cybersecurity standards.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
- Work with department heads to identify technology needs and implement solutions that enhance business processes and productivity.
- Facilitate cross-functional projects and provide technology consultation to streamline operations.
Financial Management
- Oversee IT budgets, ensuring cost-effective solutions while managing vendor relationships and negotiating contracts.
- Monitor and control IT expenses, identifying opportunities for cost savings and budget optimization.
Innovation and Technology Adoption
- Research and evaluate emerging technologies, driving their adoption to enhance business capabilities and efficiency.
- Lead innovation initiatives and ensure the IT department remains equipped with the latest tools and knowledge to maintain a competitive edge.
Compliance and Policy Enforcement
- Create and maintain IT policies and procedures that comply with industry standards and regulatory requirements, ensuring adherence across the organization.
- Regularly review and update IT policies, conducting audits to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- A minimum of 12 years of experience in IT management, with at least 7 years in a leadership role with managing a team of direct reports.
- Strong background in Microsoft software stack including ERP and CRM applications with solid experience across industry leading business software platforms.
- Experience leading technology projects including ERP and other business systems.
- Proven experience in strategic planning and execution of IT initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, systems, and best practices.
- Excellent leadership and team management skills.
- Proficient in budgeting and resource allocation.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience in the food industry or a similar fast-paced environment is a plus.
- Relevant certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, PMP) are highly desirable.
