Release Manager, Digital Commerce

Release Manager, Digital Commerce

Work Mode: Hybrid

Location:  Hybrid at Kohler, WI

Opportunity

As the Release Manager, you will be responsible for Web and eCommerce release activities (including both delivery and support teams) globally at Kohler Co. In this role, you will act as a cross-functional liaison with business users, web operations, architecture and the integration teams to ensure that all releases integrate well across systems.  Additionally, you will be responsible for change management, code review, governance and compliance. In this cross-functional role, you will leverage your knowledge of release management best practices to shape processes for a growing technology footprint.

Basic Objective

• Ownership of the Release Management process across all aspects of the web and ecommerce technology stack:  AEM, Azure, Commercetools, LucidWorks, etc.
• Leadership of Change Management activities - scheduling, execution, validation, reporting and communication
• Ensure that proposed solutions are aligned with Kohler Co standards
• Stay up to date on emerging technologies/solution trends and contributes to IT digital strategy development

Specific Responsibilities

• Define and manage change control processes for development and release readiness criteria and ensure all changes meet criteria prior to deployment
• Create and maintain a detailed release management schedule accounting for any dependencies and risks along the way; identify issues and perform root-cause analysis to ensure they are not repeated
• Facilitate release activities across all development and administrative teams, ensuring quality and timely deployments across environments
• Work with development team(s) to maintain allowed test coverage and resolve all the deployment errors
• Monitor all lower environments for release process / creating and synchronizing sandbox metadata and appropriate data sets
• Validate post release activities
• Track release metrics for improvement and reporting
• Communicate release successes/failures to stakeholders and teams
• Conduct Release Readiness reviews and Business Go/No-Go reviews
• Work with support team(s) coordinating release calls and support activities
• Maintain consistency between sandbox environments (e.g. Development, Integration, User Acceptance Test (UAT), Pre-Production, and Production
• Host weekly (and adhoc) calls with internal business stakeholders, development teams, and support to plan and prepare all production releases
• Effectively coordinate with multiple teams driving constant communication, dependent tasks, and information exchange resulting in an efficient release process
• Lead a cross functional team to adhere to a customer focused, time sensitive, and efficient release schedule
• Manage the creation and update of any supporting materials for each new release, to include: training, knowledge base articles, product release notes, email communications, blog articles, and webinars
• Provide timely updates to management as requested
• Proactively raise potential issues and have a creative approach to problem solving with the ability to focus on the details while maintaining the "big picture" view
• Work with developers to resolve merge conflicts, deployment errors, and meet code quality criteria
• Ability to communicate effectively and confidently with team members

Skills/Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field
• 3-6 years of previous release management experience
• Knowledge of Agile Framework
• Knowledge of DevSecOps practices
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines
• Working experience in JIRA
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate cross-functional work teams toward task completion
• Demonstrated effective leadership and analytical skills
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills are a must
• Knowledge of Content Management Systems such as AEM will be added advantage
• Knowledge of microservices and event driven architecture
• Knowledge of any cloud provider like Azure, AWS, GCP
• Knowledge of test-driven development (TDD)
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum/Kanban model
• Travel as needed; infrequent

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

The salary range for this position is $104,850 - $133,550. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate's experience, their education, and the work location. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.

Why Work at Kohler Co.?

Kohler Co.'s mission is to contribute to a higher level of gracious living for those who are touched by our products and services. We understand that it takes investment in our associates' development to make that happen.  So, we offer ongoing investment in each individual's personal development and the opportunity to collaborate with others across functions and roles at Kohler.  

In addition to the investment in your development, Kohler offers a benefits package including a competitive salary, health, vision, dental, 401(k) with company matching, and more!

*Important update for candidates applying to roles within Kohler Energy, including Power Systems, Engines, Home Energy, Kohler Uninterruptible Power, Clarke Energy, Curtis Instruments, and Heila Technologies.  

On November 6, Kohler Co. announced the strategic decision to establish Kohler Energy as a separate, independent business with Platinum Equity as the majority investment partner. Kohler will continue to stay invested in the Energy business following the closing and remains committed to supporting the acceleration of long-term growth strategies for both organizations. Talent and operational transition plans are underway, and Kohler Co. and Platinum Equity expect the agreement to close in the first half of 2024.Thank you for your interest in joining our growing team as we embark on the next phase of growth!

About Us

Beyond the competitive benefits and compensation, Kohler proudly offers a rich history, steeped in creativity and a commitment to our associates and communities.  We invite you to learn more about our culture and company at www.kohlercompany.com.

It is Kohler's policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified personnel in all job classifications without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.  If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com.  Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  

We invite you to learn more about equal employment opportunity by reviewing the Federal EEO is the Law and the EEO is the Law Supplement .