Company Overview
Forbidden Planet is a specialist pop culture retailer operating 19 stores across the UK and Ireland and a majority owned joint venture in New York, with group turnover of £32m. The business operates across multiple legal entities, including UK and Irish operations, and has international exposure.
Role Purpose
The Head of Business Systems & Technology is responsible for the leadership, management and development of the company's technology, systems, data and digital platforms.
The role combines strategic planning with hands-on operational delivery, ensuring that technology supports business growth, improves efficiency and provides a stable, secure and scalable platform for the future.
The postholder will act as the internal owner of all business systems, technology projects, digital platforms and information security initiatives, working closely with operational teams and external suppliers to ensure technology delivers practical business value.
This role is not a software development position but requires sufficient technical understanding to manage technology providers, challenge solutions, define business requirements and successfully deliver projects.
Key Responsibilities:
Technology Delivery & Continuous Improvement
- Support delivery of the company's technology roadmap as defined by the Principal systems architect and senior leadership team.
- Translate strategic technology objectives into practical operational plans.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and system optimisation.
- Ensure systems remain fit for purpose and support business growth.
- Support new store openings, relocations and operational change projects.
- Provide operational feedback and recommendations to inform future technology strategy.
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders across Finance, HR, Operations, Commercial and other business functions to understand operational requirements for new systems and technology solutions.
- Coordinate the evaluation of potential systems, including supplier demonstrations, requirements gathering and commercial comparisons, making recommendations to the Managing Director and Principal systems architect.
- Following approval, lead the operational implementation, user adoption and ongoing management of new business systems.
Business Systems Ownership
Take overall ownership of the company's business systems environment, including but not limited to:
- Sage 200
- KCPos
- COGS
- Shopify and ecommerce platforms
- Reporting and business intelligence systems
- Warehouse and stock management systems
- Integration platforms
- Future ERP platforms such as Microsoft Business Central (if implemented)
Responsibilities include:
- System performance and availability
- User administration and permissions
- Supplier management
- Documentation and training
- Business process alignment
- Continuous improvement
Systems Implementation & Operational Change
- Support the delivery of systems projects and technology initiatives approved by the business.
- Act as the operational project lead, coordinating activities between internal stakeholders, software providers and external advisers.
- Ensure business requirements are captured, documented and communicated effectively.
- Coordinate testing, user acceptance, training and implementation activities.
- Support the successful adoption of new systems and processes across the business.
- Monitor post-implementation performance and ensure issues are addressed promptly.
- Maintain project documentation, action plans and implementation schedules.
Examples may include:
- ERP implementation projects
- Warehouse and logistics system developments
- Third-party logistics integrations
- Retail technology enhancements
- Ecommerce platform developments
- Reporting and data automation initiatives
Digital Platforms & Ecommerce
- Own the technology aspects of the company's ecommerce and digital platforms.
- Work with Marketing, Commercial and Buying teams to prioritise development activity.
- Manage relationships with ecommerce developers and technology partners.
- Ensure website systems remain stable, secure and capable of supporting business growth.
- Identify opportunities to improve customer experience and operational efficiency through technology.
Information Security & Compliance
- Manage the day-to-day operation of the company's information security controls and policies.
- Support the Principal Systems Architect and senior leadership team in maintaining the company's information security framework.
- Maintain and improve cybersecurity controls and standards.
- Manage access controls, permissions and security policies.
- Coordinate Cyber Essentials and similar accreditation programmes.
- Ensure appropriate disaster recovery and business continuity arrangements are maintained.
- Support compliance with GDPR and data protection requirements.
- Act as the primary internal contact for technology-related risk management.
IT Service & Supplier Management
- Manage relationships with outsourced IT support providers and technology suppliers.
- Monitor service performance and contractual obligations.
- Ensure issues are escalated and resolved effectively.
- Manage technology budgets within agreed parameters.
- Negotiate and review supplier agreements where appropriate.
- Ensure technology partners deliver value and remain aligned with business objectives.
Data Management & Integration
- Maintain oversight of data flows between systems.
- Ensure the integrity, consistency and reliability of business data.
- Support reporting and management information requirements.
- Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve data accuracy.
- Work with internal stakeholders to improve access to meaningful business information.
Training, Documentation & Knowledge Management
- Develop and maintain comprehensive system documentation.
- Ensure key business processes are documented and repeatable.
- Reduce dependency on individual knowledge holders.
- Support user training and system adoption across the organisation.
- Promote consistent use of systems and processes throughout the business.
Experience & Background
Essential
- Significant experience managing business systems within a retail, distribution, logistics or multi-site environment.
- Experience delivering technology and systems projects.
- Experience managing third-party technology suppliers and service providers.
- Strong understanding of business processes and systems integration.
- Experience supporting senior stakeholders and operational teams.
- Proven ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
Desirable
- Experience with ERP implementation projects.
- Experience within retail or ecommerce environments.
- Knowledge of stock management and supply chain systems.
- Experience of Microsoft Business Central, Sage 200 or similar ERP platforms.
- Experience of Shopify or comparable ecommerce platforms.
- Experience of information security and compliance frameworks.
Technical Competencies
Essential
- Strong understanding of business systems administration and support.
- Ability to understand system architecture and data flows.
- Experience managing integrations between multiple business systems.
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
- Excellent project management capability.
Desirable
- SQL or database knowledge.
- Reporting and business intelligence tools.
- API and integration concepts.
- Cybersecurity and risk management principles.
Personal Attributes
- Commercially minded and pragmatic.
- Strong problem-solving capability.
- Organised and delivery-focused.
- Able to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Comfortable operating in a growing and changing environment.
- Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Takes ownership and accountability.
- Able to balance strategic priorities with operational requirements.
Key Success Measures
Technology Stability
Business-critical systems remain reliable, secure and available.
Project Delivery
Technology projects are delivered on time, within budget and achieve business objectives.
Operational Effectiveness
Technology supports efficient day-to-day operations across stores, ecommerce, warehouse and head office functions.
Security & Compliance
Information security risks are effectively managed and compliance standards maintained.
User Satisfaction
Operational teams receive effective support and systems are adopted consistently across the business.
Business Improvement
Technology delivers measurable improvements in productivity, scalability and commercial performance.
Reports To: Managing Director
Location: Hybrid / Site-Based as Required
40 hours per week
CV and covering letter must be provided.
Job Types: Permanent, Full-time
Pay: £50,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: Remote
