Title: Technology Strategy & Innovation Manager
Location: Houston, TX /
Baton Rouge, LA / Natchez, MS
Duration: Direct Hire
Compensation: $150k - $180k
Work Environment & Travel Position SummaryWe are seeking a forward-thinking, hands-on Technology Strategy & Innovation Manager to lead technology modernization, systems consolidation, data initiatives, and the adoption of emerging technologies across the organization.
Must have knowledge within the fuel, oil/gas, chemical or similar distribution industry. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation in software development, data engineering, data analytics, or enterprise application development and has progressed into technology management or leadership. This individual should understand how systems are built, how data flows between applications, and how technology can be leveraged to solve complex business problems.
This is not a traditional IT infrastructure or support leadership position. We are looking for someone who can evaluate the organization's current technology environment, identify redundant or disconnected systems, develop a strategy for consolidation and integration, and introduce modern solutions that improve business operations.
A significant focus of this role will be identifying practical opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence (AI), automation, data analytics, and emerging technologies to streamline processes, reduce manual work, improve decision-making, and support continued company growth.
Key ResponsibilitiesTechnology Strategy & Modernization - Assess the organization's existing technology environment, applications, systems, integrations, and business processes.
- Develop and execute a technology modernization roadmap aligned with business priorities and operational goals.
- Identify outdated, redundant, or disconnected systems and recommend opportunities for consolidation, replacement, or integration.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and determine how they can improve business efficiency, scalability, and profitability.
- Partner with executive leadership to prioritize technology investments and transformation initiatives.
- Lead modernization projects from initial assessment and solution design through implementation and adoption.
- Establish technology standards and best practices that support long-term scalability and operational efficiency.
Systems Consolidation & Enterprise Applications - Evaluate existing enterprise applications, including ERP, CRM, financial systems, operational platforms, and reporting tools.
- Identify opportunities to consolidate applications, eliminate duplicate functionality, and reduce unnecessary technology expenses.
- Develop strategies to improve system connectivity, interoperability, and data sharing across the organization.
- Lead system integration, application modernization, and technology consolidation initiatives.
- Collaborate with business stakeholders to identify inefficiencies caused by manual processes, disconnected applications, or inconsistent data.
- Evaluate build-versus-buy decisions and recommend solutions based on business value, cost, and scalability.
- Support the organization's NetSuite environment and ensure its integration with other enterprise and operational systems.
- Partner with external vendors, software providers, and implementation teams to execute technology initiatives.
Artificial Intelligence, Automation & Innovation - Identify and evaluate opportunities to introduce AI, intelligent automation, and emerging technologies into business operations.
- Develop practical AI use cases that improve productivity, reduce repetitive tasks, and enhance decision-making.
- Lead proof-of-concept initiatives and pilot programs to evaluate new technologies before broader implementation.
- Identify opportunities to automate manual workflows across Finance, Operations, Logistics, and other business functions.
- Evaluate AI-enabled platforms, workflow automation tools, and intelligent reporting solutions.
- Partner with stakeholders to prioritize AI and automation initiatives based on measurable business impact and return on investment.
- Establish appropriate governance, security, and data privacy considerations for AI adoption.
- Stay current with emerging technology trends and recommend solutions that provide meaningful business value.
Data Strategy, Analytics & Integration - Assess existing data sources, reporting processes, and data integration capabilities.
- Develop strategies to improve data accessibility, accuracy, consistency, and utilization across the organization.
- Identify opportunities to centralize or integrate data from multiple business systems.
- Partner with technical teams to improve data pipelines, integrations, and enterprise reporting capabilities.
- Support the development of dashboards, business intelligence solutions, and advanced analytics.
- Establish data governance practices that improve data quality and support reliable business decision-making.
- Explore opportunities to leverage predictive analytics, AI, and machine learning to improve operational performance.
- Ensure the organization's data infrastructure can support future technology and AI initiatives.
Technical Leadership & Solution Delivery - Leverage a strong technical background to evaluate software architectures, data platforms, integrations, and proposed technology solutions.
- Provide technical direction and oversight for software development, data, integration, and modernization initiatives.
- Collaborate with internal resources, external consultants, software vendors, and implementation partners.
- Translate complex business requirements into practical technology solutions and actionable project plans.
- Evaluate technical feasibility, implementation complexity, and long-term maintainability of proposed solutions.
- Oversee project execution, budgets, timelines, risks, and deliverables.
- Establish performance metrics to measure the effectiveness and business impact of technology initiatives.
- Serve as a trusted technology advisor to executive leadership and operational stakeholders.
Business Partnership & Operational Improvement - Work directly with Finance, Operations, and other departments to understand existing workflows, challenges, and opportunities.
- Spend time onsite at operational facilities to identify technology gaps and process improvement opportunities.
- Facilitate discussions with business stakeholders to understand current-state processes and define future-state solutions.
- Recommend technology investments that improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, and support business growth.
- Lead change management and user adoption efforts for newly implemented technologies.
- Communicate technology recommendations, project progress, and expected business outcomes to leadership.
- Ensure technology initiatives deliver measurable operational and financial improvements.
Required Qualifications - 8+ years of progressive technology experience, including hands-on experience in software development, data engineering, data analytics, application development, or related technical disciplines.
- 3+ years of technology management or leadership experience, with demonstrated responsibility for technology initiatives, teams, or enterprise projects.
- Strong technical foundation with an understanding of software architecture, enterprise applications, databases, APIs, systems integration, and data platforms.
- Proven experience leading technology modernization, digital transformation, application consolidation, or enterprise integration initiatives.
- Experience evaluating existing technology environments and developing strategies to streamline, consolidate, or replace systems.
- Demonstrated experience identifying and implementing automation, AI, analytics, or other emerging technology solutions.
- Ability to evaluate technical solutions and understand how applications, data, and systems interact across an organization.
- Experience partnering with business stakeholders to translate operational challenges into technology solutions.
- Strong understanding of enterprise applications such as ERP, CRM, financial systems, and operational platforms.
- Experience managing technology vendors, implementation partners, and cross-functional project teams.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to evaluate technology investments based on operational efficiency, cost savings, and ROI.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
- Ability to operate in a hands-on capacity while also developing and executing a broader technology strategy.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Ability and willingness to travel from Houston to Baton Rouge and Natchez approximately 2–3 weeks per month and work onsite daily.
Preferred Qualifications - Previous experience as a Software Development Manager, Data Engineering Manager, Applications Manager, Solutions Architect, Technology Transformation Manager, or similar technical leadership role.
- Hands-on technical background in software engineering, data architecture, data engineering, or enterprise application development prior to transitioning into management.
- Experience implementing AI-powered applications, generative AI solutions, intelligent automation, or machine learning use cases.
- Experience with technologies such as Python, SQL, APIs, cloud platforms, data warehouses, and modern integration frameworks.
- Experience with Microsoft Azure, AWS, GCP, Power Platform, Power Automate, Power BI, or similar technologies.
- Experience consolidating multiple enterprise applications or integrating fragmented technology environments.
- Familiarity with NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, or comparable enterprise platforms.
- Experience with data platforms, ETL/ELT pipelines, data governance, and enterprise analytics.
- Experience within energy, fuel distribution, logistics, transportation, industrial services, manufacturing, or another operationally complex industry.
- Experience supporting multi-location organizations undergoing rapid growth, acquisitions, or technology transformation.
- Demonstrated success introducing new technologies that resulted in measurable cost savings, operational improvements, or increased productivity.
About INSPYR Solutions Technology is our focus and quality is our commitment. As a leading global expert in delivering flexible technology and talent solutions, we strategically align industry and technical expertise with our clients' business objectives and cultural needs. Our tailored offerings include a wide variety of professional services, project solutions, managed services, and talent resources, all bolstered by our strategic partnerships with cutting-edge technology services. By always striving for excellence and focusing on the human aspect of our business, we work seamlessly with our talent and clients to match the right solutions to the right opportunities. Learn more about us at
www.inspyrsolutions.com .
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