• Plan and own end-to-end release lifecycle for IBM i (AS/400) applications, including scheduling, scope definition, risk assessment and rollback planning.
• Maintain a release manifest and a single source of truth for feature lists, change requests and component versions (modules, PTFs, libraries, objects).
• Track, validate and report component versions across environments (dev, QA, pilot, production) and ensure configuration items (CIs) are correctly recorded.
• Coordinate build packaging, versioning and deployment artifacts with development, configuration management and operations teams.
• Run and manage pilot programs with selected DMS dealers: prepare pilot plans, validate functionality, collect feedback, log issues and decide go/no-go with stakeholders.
• Plan and execute staged rollouts to DMS dealers (phased scheduling, dependency mapping, timing windows, communication plans and cutover activities).
• Create and maintain runbooks, deployment playbooks and rollback procedures for each release.
• Drive cross-functional release readiness reviews and Chair/coordinate Release/Go-Live meetings (CAB or equivalent).
• Monitor post-deployment health, coordinate hotfixes/PATCHes and run post-implementation reviews to capture lessons learned.
• Produce release status dashboards, KPIs and executive reports (release progress, defect counts, pilot outcomes, deployment success rates).
• Escalate risks and issues promptly and manage stakeholder expectations with clear, timely communication.

• 10+ years working experience with IBM i (AS/400 / IBM iSeries) environments or in roles supporting IBM i-based applications.
• Hands-on familiarity with IBM i objects, libraries, save-restore methods, PTFs, and typical IBM i deployment/update approaches.
• Experience in release management, deployment coordination or configuration management for enterprise systems.
• Strong knowledge of version tracking for features and components and experience maintaining a release manifest or CMDB entries.
• Experience running pilots and staged rollouts for dealer networks, retail/store operations, or similar distributed customer sites is preferred.
• Good understanding of change management and ITIL release/change processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to produce status reports, runbooks and stakeholder communications.
• Proven ability to coordinate across development, QA, Ops, support and business teams and to work with third-party vendors.
• Basic scripting or automation familiarity (CL, CLLE, REXX, SQL, or shell scripting) and comfort with build/package automation tools is a plus.
• Ability to work flexible hours for release windows and dealer rollouts., * Prior experience with Dealer Management Systems (DMS) or automotive retail systems.
• Experience with a CMDB, issue trackers (JIRA/ServiceNow/BMC Remedy) and source control systems.
• Experience working with remote/third-party dealer sites and knowledge of network constraints for remote deployments.

INDEU