Hi, I’m
Farhan Islam
Head of Software Development at FiveTech Ltd | Tech Commerce Strategist
Lahore District,PB
Summary
Experienced with leading software development teams to deliver innovative solutions. Utilizes agile methodologies to streamline development processes and enhance team efficiency. Track record of building collaborative and high-performing teams, ensuring project success and client satisfaction.
Overview
16
years of professional experience
4
years of post-secondary education
5
Languages
Work History
Retail Direct Group
Head of Software Development
08.2024 - Current
Job overview
- Lead and mentor software development teams to foster a culture of innovation and excellence.
- Develop and implement a software development strategy aligned with business goals.
- Oversee all aspects of software development, including design, coding, testing, and deployment.
- Ensure timely and high-quality delivery of software projects.
- Collaborate with the CTO to define and execute the technology roadmap.
- Integrate emerging technologies into development practices.
- Identify and implement improvements in the software development lifecycle.
- Promote best practices such as Agile methodologies and CI/CD.
- Build and nurture a high-performing development team.
- Provide coaching, training, and career development opportunities.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management and Operations.
- Ensure alignment between software development efforts and business objectives.
- Ensure software products meet the highest standards of quality, performance, and security.
- Oversee the implementation of rigorous testing frameworks.
Five Tech Limited
Head of Development & Technology
09.2022 - Current
Job overview
- I do serve as a Project Manager (partial), collaborating with business developers to transform ideas into actionable plans.
- I do mentoring my team of developers skilled in Magento, PHP, JavaScript, and Progressive Web App, I foster a collaborative environment for growth.
- I do prioritize the security of company's digital assets through robust protocols and regular audits.
- I am managing Google Cloud Platform and AWS servers ensures their optimal performance, security and scalability.
- I do evaluate and implement emerging technologies, aligning them with HQ (FiveTech) defined goals.
- I do collaboration with other cross-functional teams and do effective communication making them key in driving success to achieve goals.
- I drive continuous improvement, streamline workflows, and manage vendor relationships when and where applicable.
- Beside all above, there are a lot more to describe. In general by leveraging technology and fostering innovation, I always contribute to our organization's growth and success.
Retail Direct Group
Head of Development & Technology
09.2022 - 08.2024
Job overview
- Managed a team of developers and technology professionals, providing leadership and direction to achieve business goals.
- Led the design, development, and maintenance of multiple software applications and systems.
- Developed and implemented technology strategies and plans to align with the overall business strategy.
- Managed the budget and resources for the development and technology team.
- Collaborated with other departments and stakeholders to identify and prioritize technology needs and requirements.
- Stayed current with industry trends and emerging technologies and identified opportunities to introduce new technologies to the organization.
- Managed the development and implementation of new systems, applications and technologies.
- Led the development and maintenance of technology infrastructure, ensuring it is secure, reliable and scalable.
- Established and maintained relationships with key vendors and partners to ensure the organization has access to the best technology solutions.
- Acted as the primary point of contact for technical issues and provided support to other teams and departments.
- Communicated effectively with management, stakeholders, and other teams on the progress and status of technology projects.
- Identify and mitigate potential risks to the organization's technology assets and infrastructure.
- Continuously reviewed and improved development methodologies and processes to increase efficiency and quality.
- Provide mentorship, guidance and coaching to the development and technology team members.
Retail Direct Group
E-Commerce Development Manager
08.2019 - 11.2022
Job overview
- Developed and implemented new features and functionality to improve existing web applications.
- Collaborated with a team of developers to design, develop, and maintain web applications using PHP.
- Troubleshot and debugged code issues and provided solutions to improve performance.
- Participated in project planning, estimation, and prioritization to meet project milestones and deadlines.
- Stayed current with industry trends and developments, and applied them to improve the software development process.
- Communicated effectively with team members, management and other stakeholders.
- Took initiative to identify and propose areas for improvement within the development process.
- Assisted senior developers in coding and programming tasks using PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Mentored junior developers and interns.
- Acted as point of contact for technical issues and provided support to other team members.
- Continuously learned new technologies and programming languages to improve skills and capabilities.
- Participated in code reviews to ensure high-quality, maintainable, and efficient code was being produced.
Five Tech Limited
E-Commerce Development Manager
08.2019 - 11.2022
Job overview
- Led and managed a high-performing team of developers, providing guidance, mentorship, and direction to ensure the successful execution of complex ecommerce development projects.
- Established clear and achievable goals and objectives for the development team, aligning them with the overarching goals of the ecommerce store to drive success.
- Collaborated seamlessly with cross-functional teams, including design, marketing, and operations, to align development efforts with business requirements and strategies, fostering synergy and optimal outcomes.
- Leveraged deep technical expertise to provide guidance and support to the development team, facilitating effective problem-solving, conducting code reviews, and troubleshooting complex issues.
- Defined and implemented industry-leading development best practices, coding standards, and robust quality assurance processes to consistently deliver high-quality ecommerce solutions.
- Stayed abreast of the latest ecommerce trends, technologies, and industry best practices, constantly seeking opportunities to leverage them for enhancing the performance and capabilities of the ecommerce store.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback to team members to support their professional growth and development.
- Spearheaded innovation and continuous improvement initiatives within the development team and the ecommerce store, driving automation, optimization, and scalability to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
- Kept abreast of the competitive landscape and market trends in ecommerce, providing valuable recommendations for strategic improvements and new initiatives to drive business growth.
WanTech Solutions
Research And Development Specialist
02.2019 - 08.2019
Job overview
- Collaborated with a team of developers to design, develop, and maintain web applications using PHP.
- Assisted senior developers in coding and programming tasks using PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Participated in code reviews to ensure high-quality, maintainable, and efficient code was being produced.
- Developed and implemented new features and functionality to improve existing web applications.
- Troubleshot and debugged code issues and provided solutions to improve performance.
- Participated in project planning, estimation, and prioritization to meet project milestones and deadlines.
OrviSoft Private Limited
Chief Executive Officer
03.2013 - 02.2019
Job overview
- Strategic planning and setting the overall direction for the company.
- Leadership and team management, fostering a positive work culture.
- Financial management, including budgeting and monitoring performance.
- Business development, identifying and pursuing new opportunities.
- Client relationship management, ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Keeping up with technology and driving innovation.
- Risk management, identifying and mitigating potential risks.
- Stakeholder relations, including investors, board members, and shareholders.
- Industry engagement, representing the company in events and networking.
- Shaping the company's vision and fostering a positive organizational culture.
- As the CEO of OrviSoft pvt ltd, these responsibilities have been instrumental in driving our success and establishing us as a leading player in the industry.
SkyMagento Solutions
Founder
02.2013 - 02.2019
Job overview
- Magento ecommerce developers make something available business to business and business to consumer solutions.
- We have the expertise to boast you and motivate your way to success.
- By tackling the business to business, Magento e commerce expansion allow you to connect it to a large number of shipping gateway.
ASKWHYWEB Solutions
Founder
02.2009 - 02.2019
Job overview
- Company Overview: ASKWHYWEB Solution is an established web development company delivering web development services of any complexity to clients worldwide.
- Being in IT business for over 4 years now ASKWHYWEB Solutions has a strong skilled experience in competent eComernce development.
- Our customers are companies of all sizes ranging from startups to large enterprises who realize that they need a professional eCommerce solution to generate revenue streams, establish communication channels or streamline business operations.
- ASKWHYWEB Solution is an established web development company delivering web development services of any complexity to clients worldwide.
OWCareers
Server manager & email delivery expert
01.2015 - 12.2016
Job overview
- Implemented and maintained robust systems and processes to handle abuse and spam requests, ensuring the highest level of email deliverability and protection against malicious activities.
- Monitored the performance and health of mailing services offered on dedicated IP addresses, consistently achieving exceptional results and maintaining a strong reputation for successful mail deliveries.
- Developed and implemented best practices for email deliverability, including authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), IP reputation management, and email content optimization techniques.
- Conducted regular audits and performance evaluations of the mailing infrastructure, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing necessary optimizations to enhance deliverability rates.
- Implemented monitoring and alerting systems to proactively identify and address any issues that may impact email deliverability or compromise security.
- Collaborated with product and marketing teams to ensure effective delivery of transactional and marketing emails, optimizing content and workflows for maximum engagement and deliverability.
- Generated comprehensive reports and analytics on email deliverability, abuse handling, and spam prevention, providing insights to stakeholders and making data-driven recommendations for improvements.
- Acted as a subject matter expert on mailing services, participating in cross-functional meetings and providing guidance and support to internal teams on best practices and industry trends.
- Mentored and trained team members on email deliverability, abuse handling, and spam prevention techniques, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
- Maintained documentation and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for mailing services, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information for troubleshooting, maintenance, and future reference.
ArhamSoft (Pvt) Ltd
PHP Developer
09.2012 - 02.2013
Job overview
- During my tenure at ArhamSoft Pvt Ltd, I gained extensive experience in various levels of PHP programming and successfully took on diverse roles.
- Initially hired for Vicidial application enhancements, my skills and abilities caught the attention of the company, leading to my involvement in Magento-related tasks and complex PHP problem-solving.
- One of my notable achievements at ArhamSoft was the creation of a fully customized application that extended the features of Vicidial.
- This application seamlessly integrated with their in-house .Net application, resulting in an exceptional user-friendly interface for call center agents.
- The combination of these technologies empowered the agents with a unique, elegant, and engaging interface, making their work more efficient and enjoyable.
- Throughout my time at ArhamSoft, I consistently demonstrated my adaptability and expertise in PHP programming.
- I actively contributed to the development and enhancement of Vicidial and Magento, tackling complex challenges and finding innovative solutions.
- My dedication to creating efficient, high-quality applications further solidified my position within the company.
SDSol Technologies
PHP Developer
02.2011 - 12.2012
Job overview
- I joined SDSol Technologies in February 2011 as a Junior PHP developer, working under the guidance of Sir Akbar.
- During this period, I honed my PHP development skills and quickly proved my capabilities.
- As a result, I was promoted to the position of Senior PHP developer in May 2011, where I took on more challenging projects and demonstrated leadership qualities.
- Recognizing my potential, I was offered the opportunity to participate in leadership roles on an optional basis.
- From June 2012 onward, I held a non-official leadership position within the company.
- In this role, I actively contributed to project management, mentored junior team members, and facilitated effective collaboration among the development team.
- Throughout my journey at SDSol Technologies, I consistently embraced progressive approaches in various projects.
- I actively sought innovative solutions, identified opportunities for improvement, and implemented best practices to enhance project outcomes.
- This proactive mindset and dedication to continuous improvement contributed to the overall success of the projects I was involved in.
Education
Government College UniversityFaisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
Master of Science from Computer Science
04.2012 - 01.2016
Skills
Leadership in technology architecture
Technical architecture proficiency
Team leadership in projects
Continuous integration and delivery
Collaboration in software development
Skilled in simultaneous task execution
Platform development skills
SQL data analysis
Magento platform expertise
Business process and technology alignment
Awards
- Employee of the Month, SDSol Technologies, 05/11
- Above and Beyond Excellence Award, 2022-2023
- Leadership Excellence Certificate, RetailDirect Pvt Ltd
Accomplishments
- Repeatedly evolved the company’s technology roadmap to align with strategic goals—led three major overhauls, including adoption of PWA, ReactJS, and Angular across critical platforms.
- Scaled the tech function from a single-developer model to a 15-person engineering team, structured across DevOps, frontend, backend, and QA departments.
- Architected and implemented a modular, multi-tenant system supporting five parallel business models—achieving a 700% performance gain (response time under 500ms)and equivalent cost reductions.
- Delivered MVP for Box.co.uk (UK’s second-largest tech retailer) within 2 weeks of acquisition, enabling immediate revenue activity and rapid market re-entry.
- Oversaw the development of advanced B2B models, trade-in workflows, and new business units in collaboration with Box's internal team post-acquisition.
- Introduced CI/CD pipelines with secured HOD/SDM-level approval protocols—streamlining releases while maintaining strict code quality and audit controls.
- Led full GDPR and compliance implementation for four major e-commerce platforms: LaptopOutlet, Box, Oppo, and others.
- Maintained full ownership of the technology budget, delivering over 70% savings through platform consolidation, infrastructure refactoring, and vendor optimisation.
- Actively collaborated with executive leadership to shape technology strategy based on finalised business goals, driving alignment between product vision and technical execution.
Timeline
Head of Software Development
Retail Direct Group
08.2024 - Current
Head of Development & Technology
Five Tech Limited
09.2022 - Current
Head of Development & Technology
Retail Direct Group
09.2022 - 08.2024
E-Commerce Development Manager
Retail Direct Group
08.2019 - 11.2022
E-Commerce Development Manager
Five Tech Limited
08.2019 - 11.2022
Research And Development Specialist
WanTech Solutions
02.2019 - 08.2019
Server manager & email delivery expert
OWCareers
01.2015 - 12.2016
Chief Executive Officer
OrviSoft Private Limited
03.2013 - 02.2019
Founder
SkyMagento Solutions
02.2013 - 02.2019
PHP Developer
ArhamSoft (Pvt) Ltd
09.2012 - 02.2013
Government College University
Master of Science from Computer Science
04.2012 - 01.2016
PHP Developer
SDSol Technologies
02.2011 - 12.2012
Founder
ASKWHYWEB Solutions
02.2009 - 02.2019