Cape Town: Applications Manager posted by K2 Recruit

ABOUT THE ROLE: K2 Recruit is representing a dynamic, values-driven, growth-focused organisation within the retail space that is seeking an experienced Applications Manager to lead and manage its core business applications landscape.

The Applications Manager will be responsible for the stability, scalability, performance, and strategic alignment of all key business applications. This role plays a critical part in delivering customer-centric, innovative software solutions that drive operational efficiency, digital transformation, and measurable business value across the organisation.

The successful candidate will oversee the architecture, development, enhancement, rollout, and ongoing maintenance of core applications, while ensuring seamless integrations across systems and platforms. Working closely with business stakeholders, the Applications Manager will translate business requirements into scalable, user-focused technology solutions and manage the end-to-end delivery of application initiatives using Agile and Scrum methodologies.

This role also contributes at a governance level, supporting technology strategy, prioritisation, and continuous improvement across the applications portfolio.

KEY ATTRIBUTES & COMPETENCIES

Innovation & Exploration: Conceptualises ideas, applies creative thinking, and explores opportunities to deliver meaningful technology solutions.

Stakeholder Focus: Engages openly with stakeholders, collaborates across functions, and balances business needs with technical delivery.

Insight & Problem Solving: Analyses complex information, identifies key issues, and delivers well-considered, logical solutions.

Relationship Building: Builds strong, trusted relationships and creates an environment of openness and collaboration.

Delivery & Productivity: Maintains focus on output, applies structured planning, and drives initiatives to successful completion.

Team Leadership: Encourages teamwork, collaboration, and shared ownership of outcomes.

Composure & Resilience: Maintains calm and effectiveness under pressure while sustaining energy and momentum.

Analytical Thinking: Applies rigorous analysis, attention to detail, and ethical standards when working with data and systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Own and oversee core business application roadmaps, performance, integrity, and system availability

Ensure optimal application performance and reduce recurring application-related incidents and ticket volumes

Drive business value through innovation, automation, and digital transformation initiatives

Manage the end-to-end delivery of application projects using Agile and Scrum methodologies

Collaborate with Infrastructure and Cloud teams to enable unified and automated change management frameworks

Lead, mentor, and coach direct reports to achieve operational excellence and professional growth

Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovation

Embed user and stakeholder feedback into product backlogs and development cycles

Identify opportunities, conceptualise solutions, and implement innovative improvements

Analyse operational performance metrics and design process and system optimisations

Contribute to product and application development strategies that enhance competitive differentiation

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & REQUIREMENTS

National Senior Certificate (Grade 12)

Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or Business Administration

Project Management (PMP) and Agile/Scrum certifications (CSM or CSPO)

ITIL v4 Foundation certification

COBIT certification (advantageous)

Minimum 710 years direct people and/or team management experience

1015 years experience managing business applications and software development environments

57 years experience implementing and optimising core business systems (ERP, CRM, Mobile Applications, etc.)

Strong exposure to Agile delivery, DevOps practices, and vendor management

Solid expertise in Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) management

ERP and enterprise systems experience (e.g., Odoo, SAP, or similar platforms)

Understanding of integration architecture and API design

Knowledge of Quality Assurance, CI/CD pipelines, and continuous delivery practices

Strong strategic, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities

Experience in business process mapping, optimisation, and re-engineering

Proven ability to manage vendors and external technology partners

Willingness to travel as required

Availability for after-hours support or standby when necessar