H-E-B is one of the largest, independently owned food retailers in the nation operating over 435+ stores throughout Texas and Mexico, with annual sales generating over $43+ billion. Recently named the top-ranked U.S. online grocery retailer by Dunnhumby, H-E-B has led the way with creative new concepts, technologies, outstanding service, and a commitment to diversity in our workforce, workplace, and marketplace. H-E-B offers a wealth of career opportunities to our 160,000+ Partners (employees), a competitive compensation and benefits program, and comprehensive training that leads to successful careers.

Described by industry experts as daring innovators and smart competitors, H-E-B provides emerging technology expertise to its team. We are investing in transformative technologies, and collaborative innovation, and we are looking for leaders to advance further our ability to inspire, innovate, and drive transformative change through the discovery, learning, and implementation of technologies that will improve the lives of our customers and Partners.

As an H-E-B Leader Sourcing & Vendor Management on the ETI (EMERGING TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION) team, you will…

• Serve as the resident expert as it pertains to emerging technology trends, maturity and assess how we solve customer and Partner pain points with future technology maintaining a strong connection to stakeholders throughout.
• Work with ETI Leadership and Executive Committee to define and understand business goals, strategies, capabilities, processes and help shape and define business and technology transformation initiatives.
• Lead a team of Innovation Managers to research and deliver efforts to investigate, recommend, and implement innovative technologies and technology-rich spaces for H-E-B business groups.
• Responsible for tech competitive assessments, validation of technology through Lab and/or other locations working with Digital and Business to co-create.
• Represents ETI on committees, groups, task forces, and teams.  
• Lead initiatives that span strategy and road map exercises, technology selection, application, and integration of said technologies and implementation
• Support and advance the strategic direction and priorities of the Emerging Technology organization across the enterprise, by fostering open communication and active collaboration with Digital and business units. You will also engage with governance models for prioritizing and managing emerging technology investments across the enterprise.
• Communicate regularly with Technology companies, vendors, consultants, H-E-B Leaders, and Partners.

Once you are eligible, you will become an Owner in the company, so we are looking for commitment, hard work, expertise, a collaborative style of thought leadership, and Customer service. “Partner-owned” means our most important resources – People – drive the innovation, growth, and success that make H-E-B The Greatest Omnichannel Retailing Company.

Do you have a:

HEART FOR PEOPLE… skills to cultivate a compelling vision that makes the lives of Texans better

HEAD FOR BUSINESS… always on top of emerging technologies, industry trends and application patterns

PASSION FOR RESULTS… ready to adapt to competing demands and prioritization in an ever-changing world

We are looking for:

• Someone who is always on top of and thought of as an industry expert in Emerging Technologies, trends, applications and loves to help communicate and build that vision into actionable next steps for our team to explore, test and implement.
• An individual who enjoys leading a team and thrives in supporting an effort that spans across many business functions.

What is the work?

• Recommends, implements, and ensures adherence to operating policies and procedures, ensuring these comply with H-E-B, legal (laws and regulations), and industry standards.
• Rapidly explore and develop innovative technologies solutions, applications of technologies, and methods to assess the potential for adoption across the enterprise.
• Travel frequently to stay on top of and advance H-E-B’s application of Emerging Technologies
• Partner with multi-disciplinary teams to understand requirements and solutions
• People leader with direct reports.
• Experience with various technologies which may include Machine Learning, Computer Vision, IoT, Wayfinding, Senor Fusion, etc.
• Advise the Digital Innovation Team on highly technical issues within a broad-based area of expertise, including the potential effects of emerging information technologies and trends on current and future initiatives.
• Collaborate with development and operations teams to identify and capture innovative technology solutions and drive the design execution from concept to completion. This will result in a technology/capability pipeline that services current and future capabilities.
• Build relationships with business partners, cross functional teams, and stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver educational workshops and other means to better connect business leaders with emerging technology and build competencies.

What is your background?

• 10+ years of experience with a proven record of accomplishment in Technology companies, similar roles in retailers or Technology consulting.
• Experience supporting retail, supply chain, ecommerce, or other areas where emerging technologies impact the lives of retail customers and employees.
• Experience successfully working in a fast-paced, change-oriented environment including defining Customer Journeys and roadmaps
• Ability to be a thought leader and evidence of leading teams in the Digital and/or Emerging Technology & Innovation space.

Do you have what it takes to be a fit as a Director Sourcing & Vendor Management for ETI?

• Demonstrated knowledge of industry trends and Emerging Technologies as well as the processes and infrastructures required to support them.
• Ability to manage people, multiple priorities, build relationships and work effectively with internal and external partners. Demonstrated strong collaboration, negotiation and influencing skills in a highly collaborative organization.
• Ability to define and effectively articulate solutions (verbally and in writing) and discuss business problems positively influencing outcomes.
• Can negotiate skillfully and strongly without damaging relationships.
• Independently motivated to achieve stellar results.
• Tenacity and fortitude to work on problems without clear direction or pre-established roadmaps.
• Enjoy traveling (by plane, car, and overnight stays), exploring, asking deep questions, and distilling those learnings into briefs, whitepapers, presentations, and organized trips to share and influence strategic decisions as it pertains to emerging technologies now and in the future.