Software Development Manager

About the role

Waupaca Foundry, Inc. is North America’s leading supplier of iron castings, employing approximately 4,400 people. The company is committed to relentless improvement, forward‑thinking sustainability initiatives, and delivering reliable products to millions of customers. The Software Development Manager leads Waupaca Foundry’s custom application development function – .NET/custom software development and SharePoint forms, workflow, and Power Platform development – and serves as the primary interface between IT and the business for that portfolio. This leader owns direction, day‑to‑day resourcing, and delivery of a combined development team spanning both code‑first and low‑code disciplines. The role is a working‑manager position: management, portfolio, and governance responsibilities take priority, while a reduced but genuine hands‑on software engineering contribution is expected on priority projects (architecture, design, complex integrations, code review, proof‑of‑concept work). More information is available on the company website www.waupacafoundry.com.

Responsibilities

• Lead the combined custom application development team covering .NET/custom software development and SharePoint forms, workflow, and Power Platform development, including technical leads and developers.
• Set development strategy, standards, and delivery model for both code‑first (.NET/C#, web and API, SQL Server) and low‑code (SharePoint, Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse) disciplines.
• Contribute hands‑on software engineering on priority projects – architecture and design, complex or cross‑platform integrations, code review, and technical proof‑of‑concept work.
• Own the custom application and workflow portfolio: intake, prioritization against business objectives, resourcing, and delivery commitments.
• Serve as the primary IT‑to‑business interface for .NET and Power Platform application and workflow requests, requirements, and delivery; escalate cross‑platform and ERP‑affecting scope to the Senior IT Manager – Applications.
• Own the integration layer between custom applications/workflows and enterprise platforms, partnering with SAP, IBM i, and data services teams on interfaces, APIs, data contracts, file/EDI exchanges, and coordinated change windows (assist with integrations; do not own them).
• Establish and enforce Power Platform governance, including environment strategy, connector and data‑loss‑prevention policy, licensing, solution/ALM promotion paths, and control of unsupported citizen‑developer sprawl.
• Establish and enforce standards for development, source control and release management, application architecture, security, and J‑SOX compliance for in‑scope applications.
• Manage day‑to‑day resourcing and delivery outcomes for the development team; provide input to budget, vendor, and contract‑developer decisions owned by the Senior IT Manager – Applications.
• Develop and coach technical leads and developers; build cross‑training and succession across the .NET and Power Platform disciplines to reduce key‑person risk.
• Maintain an inventory and lifecycle plan for custom applications and workflows, including consolidation or retirement of legacy and duplicative solutions.
• Report on delivery, risk, and value to the Senior IT Manager – Applications and to business stakeholders.

Requirements

• 8+ years of application development and delivery experience, including several years of team leadership, technical‑lead, or people‑management responsibility.
• Current hands‑on capability in .NET/C# application development (web, API, SQL Server) sufficient to set standards, review design/architecture, and contribute production‑quality work on priority projects.
• Demonstrated experience with the Microsoft low‑code stack – SharePoint forms and workflow, Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse – including governance, environment strategy, and solution lifecycle practices.
• Experience delivering integrations to enterprise systems of record (SAP, IBM i/ERP, or comparable) via APIs, middleware, flat‑file/EDI, or data‑platform interfaces.
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Business Administration, Computer Science, or related discipline desired; equivalent relevant industry experience may be considered.
• Experience with portfolio prioritization, budgeting, vendor management, and business partnership.
• Proficiency with portfolio/project‑management tools, Azure DevOps/Git, Visual Studio, Power Platform and SharePoint administration centers, and Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).

Qualifications

• Strong desire to learn a variety of IT disciplines and apply them to business problems.
• Technical proficiency, excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Demonstrated project leadership experience: managing multiple projects, objectives, and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, or in a lead role, including chairing project‑management meetings and leading teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; ability to interact effectively with all levels of staff, management, and external customers/vendors.
• Initiative, positive and flexible attitude, and willingness to train and mentor junior staff.
• Self‑starter with strong teamwork skills, capable of working efficiently across different disciplines and locations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including good grammar, and the ability to plan and organize independently.
• Successful completion of a selection process that includes interviews, reference check/verification, and a pre‑employment drug screen (required if selected).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Short and long term disability
• Life insurance
• 401(k) with employer‑funded retirement plan
• Paid vacations and holidays
• Wellness program and fitness membership
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Employer‑supported career development, including tuition reimbursement