DMart - Head - Applications

- We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Applications to lead and manage enterprise-wide application portfolios, particularly within the retail domain.

- The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise, strong vendor/stakeholder management skills, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams to deliver operational excellence and innovation.

- Key Responsibilities: Oversee day-to-day operations, maintenance, and administration of all business-critical applications either directly or through managed service partners.

- Ensure high availability and reliability of systems through real-time monitoring, proactive incident management, and SLA compliance.

- Coordinate and manage outsourcing/vendor partners for new requirements, system upgrades, patching, and ad-hoc operational needs.

- Drive performance monitoring, event/alarm management, and ensure disaster recovery protocols are implemented and tested regularly.

- Lead application upgrades, patch management cycles, and version control to maintain system integrity.

- Ensure L2 support operations, data reconciliations, and escalations are handled within defined SLAs and quality standards.

- Collaborate with the Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team for audits, security assessments, and assurance activities.

- Participate in and support project delivery by assigning project managers to collaborate with PMO and business stakeholders on application-related initiatives.

- Establish KPIs, track application health, and lead problem management efforts for recurring incidents.

- Key Skills & Qualifications: Experience: Minimum 14 Years (with at least 4 years in the retail domain) Proven experience in leading application support and development teams, ideally in a retail or IT services organization.

- Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving capabilities.

- Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional environments with experience managing vendor relationships.

- Excellent communication skills with the ability to interface effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and timelines in a fast-paced environment.

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field (Master's degree preferred)