Resume

Current Resume of Mike Wattier

Professional Summary

Solutions architect and contributor-first leader with 28 years of technical foundation, specializing in enterprise e-commerce platform migrations and infrastructure optimization.

Recent Achievement: Led year-long migration from dual Adobe Commerce instances to unified Shopware 6 platform with hub-and-spoke iPaaS architecture. Delivered $300K+ annual savings while improving scalability and operational efficiency through complex multi-vendor coordination and zero-downtime cutover.

Current Focus: Building AI-augmented migration tools and analytics infrastructure for partnership distribution (agencies, hosting companies). Codifying proven patterns from hands-on enterprise migrations into scalable solutions.

Core Differentiators:

Deep technical expertise combined with P&L accountability and vendor management
Proven track record delivering complex migrations (M1→M2, dual M2→Shopware 6)
Contributor-first leadership: architect solutions, build alongside teams, elevate capabilities
28-year foundation adapting through multiple technology cycles (1997-present)

Professional Experience

Director of Marketing and eCommerce Operations

Beast Distribution | January 2025 - Present

Leading technical and marketing infrastructure for multi-channel e-commerce operation (B2B, B2C, D2C)

Enterprise Platform Architecture & Migration:

Led year-long migration from dual Adobe Commerce (Magento 2) instances to unified Shopware 6 platform, architecting hub-and-spoke infrastructure connecting ERP, PIM, and e-commerce layers via iPaaS
Managed complex technical implementation including data consolidation, system integration, and business process re-engineering across multiple departments
Delivered $300K+ annual infrastructure cost savings while improving operational efficiency and platform scalability
Coordinated cross-functional teams and vendor partnerships (Adobe, Shopware, iPaaS, hosting, integrators) throughout multi-phase enterprise migration

Technical Infrastructure & Analytics:

Implemented Python-based analytics tooling adopted across all departments, eliminating $180K in annual software costs while providing real-time actionable insights
Performed traffic pattern analysis resulting in 35% increase in revenue per page view
Re-engineered reporting infrastructure enabling data-driven decision making across organization

Marketing Leadership & Strategy:

Increased marketing team productivity 60% through contributor-first leadership: building frameworks, cross-functional training, and clear accountability structures
Owned SEO/GEO/AEO implementation achieving industry-leading organic traffic growth and AI visibility in 2025
Developed B2B lead workflows in HubSpot increasing qualified lead flow

Vendor & Partnership Management:

Negotiated and managed key vendor contracts (platform, iPaaS, infrastructure) ensuring strategic alignment and budget optimization
Orchestrated complex multi-vendor relationships throughout enterprise migration maintaining service levels and cost targets

eCommerce Manager

Turning Point Brands | May 2023 - December 2024 (Full-time) | 2021-2023 (Contract)

Promoted from contract consultant to full-time management role. Elevated to Director position at Beast Distribution following parent company divestiture.

Platform & Technical Leadership:

Led B2C migration from Magento 1 to Magento 2, managing technical implementation and team transition
Orchestrated Salesforce to HubSpot CRM migration for B2B sales team, improving workflow efficiency
Re-engineered GA4/GTM reporting infrastructure, eliminating redundant tools and reducing marketing technology costs 20%

Email & Marketing Systems (2021-Present):

Migrated email platform delivering $135K annual savings while increasing engagement rates 60%
Implemented hyper-personalized segmentation through customer data analysis, driving 35% email revenue growth
Managed email marketing infrastructure and campaign execution from 2021, demonstrating value that led to full-time role

Content & SEO Strategy (2021-Present):

Owned content strategy for 5,000+ SKU catalog across 200+ brands, achieving 20% YoY organic growth
Developed and implemented SEO strategies starting as contractor, continuing through management role
Designed and led implementation of owned-channel marketing strategies

Operations & Team Leadership:

Streamlined affiliate marketing reporting, reducing fraud 70% through enhanced tracking
Improved task management systems increasing team visibility and revenue-focused activities
Led cross-functional initiatives bridging technical implementation and marketing strategy

Marketing Technology Consultant (Freelance)

Self-Employed | January 2012 - Present

Primary focus 2012-2021 | Selective strategic projects 2021-Present

Provided solutions architecture and implementation services for 200+ clients, specializing in cost-effective open source solutions and high-volume email infrastructure. Transitioned to selective projects in 2021 when engaged by Turning Point Brands, continuing strategic consulting alongside full-time roles.

High-Volume Email Infrastructure

Architected and deployed outbound email systems processing 100M+ messages monthly for lead generation and e-commerce campaigns
Designed deliverability optimization strategies managing sender reputation and ISP compliance
Built custom monitoring and analytics systems for real-time campaign performance tracking

Open Source Solutions Architecture

Reduced client technology costs 60-80% through strategic open source implementations
Designed systems balancing total cost of ownership, scalability, and maintainability
Served as technical advisor translating business requirements into actionable architecture

E-commerce & Marketing Technology

Platform implementation and customization (Magento 2, WooCommerce, Shopware, custom solutions)
Workflow automation (n8n, custom scripting) eliminating manual processes
System integration across CRM, email, analytics, and payment processing platforms
Complex data migrations and transformations

Full-Stack Development

Custom applications across multiple frameworks (Laravel, CodeIgniter, Django, Flask)
Database architecture and optimization (MySQL, PostgreSQL)
API design, integration, and authentication
Performance optimization and scalability engineering

Infrastructure & Operations

Linux server administration and DevOps (28+ years)
Application deployment and monitoring
Security hardening and compliance implementation

Currently accepting select projects aligned with strategic interests: platform migrations, AI-augmented tooling, and partnership-focused solutions.

Director of Operations (Founder)

Deming Wireless (Verizon Authorized Retailer) | January 2009 - October 2012

Founded and operated 3-location retail business while maintaining active freelance development practice

Business Operations:

Built multi-location wireless retail operation from concept to profitable 3-store chain
Owned full P&L, inventory management, merchandising, and Verizon corporate partnership
Developed training programs and operational standards ensuring consistent customer experience
Led marketing and advertising strategy for customer acquisition in competitive market
Hired, trained, and managed 10+ employees across multiple locations

Technical Systems:

Architected and built custom point-of-sale system tailored to wireless retail workflow
Developed multi-location inventory management with real-time synchronization
Created reporting infrastructure for sales tracking, commissions, and operational metrics

This experience reinforced that the best technology serves clear business outcomes - a principle guiding my solutions architecture work today.

Freelance Open Source Developer

Self-Employed | January 1997 - October 2012

15 years providing custom development and solutions architecture across web applications, e-commerce, email infrastructure, and workflow automation for 200+ clients

Core Capabilities:

Full-stack development: PHP, Python, MySQL, PostgreSQL, LAMP/LEMP stack
E-commerce platform development and customization (pre-Magento era through Magento 2)
High-volume email infrastructure and deliverability optimization
Workflow automation and system integration
Linux server administration and infrastructure management (desktop and server environments)

Technical Evolution:

Adapted through major technology cycles: early commercial web (1997-2002), Web 2.0 era (2003-2008), modern frameworks (2009-2012)
Continuously learned and applied emerging technologies while maintaining deep foundation in core principles
Pattern recognition across hundreds of implementations informing architectural decisions

Client Impact:

Delivered cost-effective open source solutions typically reducing technology costs 60-80% vs. proprietary alternatives
Maintained long-term client relationships through technical excellence and business focus
Built systems that scaled from startup to enterprise requirements

Current Technical Projects

AI-Augmented Platform Migration Tool | 2025-Present

Building partnership-first ETL/ELT solution for e-commerce platform migrations, directly informed by $500K+ enterprise migration

Foundation: Based on year-long dual Adobe Commerce → Shopware 6 migration (2025) including:

Data consolidation from multiple source instances
Hub-and-spoke architecture with iPaaS integration (ERP, PIM, e-commerce)
Complex business process re-engineering
Multi-vendor coordination and zero-downtime cutover
Proven patterns delivering $500-600K annual cost savings

Technical Approach:

AI-assisted data transformation, mapping, and validation
Automated edge case detection from production migration learnings
Integration architecture supporting modern e-commerce ecosystems
Risk mitigation and rollback strategies from hands-on deployment
Designed for agency and hosting company partnerships

Differentiator: Not theoretical - codifying actual enterprise migration patterns that delivered measurable results. Every feature addresses real-world challenges encountered in production.

Platform-Agnostic E-commerce Analytics Engine | 2024-Present

Real-time analytics tool integrating GA4 with any e-commerce platform

Technical Architecture:

Universal URL-based matching system working across all e-commerce platforms
Python-based data processing and transformation
Real-time reporting infrastructure

Key Metrics:

View-to-cart, view-to-purchase, cart-to-purchase conversion ratios
Revenue per page view (RPV)
Platform-agnostic design (works with Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, Shopware, custom platforms)

Go-to-Market Strategy:

Open source core with proprietary advanced features
White-label partnerships with agencies and hosting providers
Addresses $180K+ software cost reduction proven in production

Technical Capabilities

Solutions Architecture

System design and technical decision-making
Platform evaluation and technology selection
Cost optimization and TCO analysis
Scalability and performance architecture
Partner integration architecture
Hub-and-spoke and iPaaS integration patterns

AI-Augmented Development

Claude Code workflows and methodology
Prompt engineering for technical specifications
AI-assisted code review and optimization
Autonomous task delegation patterns

Development & Infrastructure

Languages: PHP, Python, JavaScript
Frameworks: Laravel, Django, Flask, CodeIgniter
Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL (optimization, scaling)
Infrastructure: Linux (28+ years), Docker, CI/CD
Cloud: AWS/GCP fundamentals

E-commerce & Marketing Technology

Platforms: Magento 2, Shopware 6, WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce, Directus
Email Infrastructure: High-volume systems, deliverability optimization, ISP compliance
Analytics: GA4, GTM, custom implementations
Marketing Automation: HubSpot, Salesforce, n8n, Dagstger, Airbyte
Integration: iPaaS architecture, ERP/PIM connectivity, API design

Leadership & Business

Contributor-first leadership methodology
Vendor and partner relationship management
P&L ownership and operational management
Cross-functional team leadership
Training program development
Contract negotiation