Director of Research & Development

Director of Research & Development About Ziiware For more than 30 years, Ziiware has built software that helps wholesale distributors run their operations with less friction. Our flagship platform, ZiiZii, delivers mobile ordering, delivery check in, shelf labeling, and vendor ordering for distributors across grocery, convenience store, hardware, and pharmaceutical channels. Ziiware is part of Libra Software Group, a portfolio of vertical market software companies operating under Constellation Software's Vela Software Group. The Role Ziiware is hiring a Director of Research & Development to lead product engineering and set technical direction for ZiiZii. This is a hands on leadership role responsible for the people, the roadmap, and the engineering practices that keep Ziiware's platform ahead of the needs of wholesale distributors. The Director will also lead the adoption of AI across the R&D organization, from developer tooling to customer facing product capability, making this a central proving ground for how Libra Software Group scales AI across its portfolio. What You Will Do * Own the R&D roadmap for ZiiZii, balancing customer commitments, platform health, and new capability * Lead and grow a team of engineers, setting standards for code quality, delivery cadence, and technical decision making * Drive AI adoption across the R&D function, embedding AI assisted development practices and identifying where AI can become a genuine product capability rather than a bolt on feature * Partner with the Business Unit Manager and go to market leaders to ensure new features are built against validated customer demand * Modernize and maintain integrations between ZiiZii and customers' ERP, WMS, and POS systems * Report on R&D velocity, quality, and AI adoption metrics as part of Libra Software Group's quarterly performance review process * Manage vendor and technology decisions for the R&D function, including tooling, infrastructure, and security posture in coordination with the portfolio CISO function What You Bring * Seven or more years in software engineering with at least three years leading an engineering or R&D team * A track record of shipping product in a B2B or vertical market software environment; wholesale distribution, retail, or supply chain experience is a strong plus * Direct experience using AI tools in engineering workflows, and a point of view on where AI genuinely improves a product versus where it adds noise * Comfort operating in a small, owner operated business environment where you carry both technical and people leadership * Experience with mobile applications, ERP or WMS integrations, and cloud infrastructure * Strong written and verbal communication; you can explain technical tradeoffs to non technical stakeholders Why Ziiware Ziiware is a profitable, established business with a loyal customer base and room to build. As part of Libra Software Group and Constellation Software, you get the stability and long term ownership horizon of a permanent capital structure, paired with the autonomy of running your own product organization. AI adoption is a stated priority at the portfolio level, and this role is positioned to lead that work rather than follow it. Location This role is based in Toronto, ON.

The Director of Research & Development will lead product engineering, set technical direction, and manage the R&D roadmap for the ZiiZii platform. They are responsible for driving AI adoption across the organization and mentoring the engineering team to ensure high-quality delivery.

Candidates must have at least seven years of software engineering experience, including three years in a leadership role. A proven track record in B2B or vertical market software, along with experience in AI tools and cloud infrastructure, is required.

• Supply chain managementPreferred

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Software Engineering
• Team Leadership
• Product Roadmap
• Artificial Intelligence
• B2B Software
• Supply Chain Management
• Mobile Applications
• ERP Integration
• WMS Integration
• Cloud Infrastructure
• Technical Strategy
• Stakeholder Communication
• Vendor Management
• Engineering Practices
• Code Quality
• Go-to-Market Strategy
• Workflow Management
• Supply Chain Acumen
• AI Adoption
• Research
• Business To Business
• Capital Structures
• Mobile Application Development
• Decision Making
• Customer Demand Planning
• Packaging And Labeling
• Leadership
• Warehouse Management Systems
• Operations
• Performance Review
• Pharmaceuticals
• Product Engineering
• Software Quality (SQA/SQC)
• Tooling
• Verbal Communication Skills
• Vertical Market
• Wholesaling
• Coordinating
• Balancing (Ledger/Billing)

• Software
• Management & Leadership
• Engineering
• Technology
• Logistics
• Director of Research and Development
• Research and Development Managers
• Natural Sciences Managers

Minimum experience

5+ years

Posting language

English

Working hours

40 hours per week