Steven
Riley Williams

Buff City Soap is a franchised multi-unit retailer and consumer products brand specializing in artisanal, plant-based beauty products. Since joining as a founding executive team member, the company has achieved explosive growth — and the technology infrastructure built to support it has scaled every step of the way. Built an entirely cloud-native, matrixed technology architecture, scalable, secure, and right-sized for franchise model complexity. Deployed enterprise ERP upgrade and complemented initiative with major business process reengineering. Most recently, designed and led development and implementation of AutoRoute IQ, a custom-built, AI-driven eCommerce order routing agent that optimizes real-time SFS and BOPIS fulfillment across the franchise network for a $25M+ eCommerce channel, growing 50%+ year-over-year, with an evolving geographic customer base.

Joined to modernize a sprawling technology footprint and realign supply chain operations for a business in active transformation. Led a full-scale IT restructuring, achieved zero cybersecurity incidents across the tenure, and retooled logistics operations to support a pivot to an off-price retail model. Eliminated seven-plus years of accumulated audit deficiencies within the first year while simultaneously reducing costs.

Joined to build the technology foundation for aggressive growth. Over five years, led three brick-and-mortar acquisitions, one pure-play eCommerce acquisition, and the company's 2014 NYSE IPO. Expanded from one eCommerce website to three national brands, scaled stores from 80 to 220+, and grew revenue from $140MM to $650MM+. Also absorbed leadership of supply chain and merchandise planning, ensuring complete alignment between technology and business objectives. The infrastructure built during this tenure remains in production today — powering a company now valued at over $5 billion.

Notable tenure as SVP & CIO at Mattress Giant / Mattress Firm, spanning 5× store growth, three private equity ownership transitions, multiple major acquisitions, and co-leading the eventual sale of the company to Mattress Firm — followed by managing full integration into the combined 1,000+ store chain. Progressed from hands-on technical roles to executive leadership reporting to the CEO, establishing a consistent pattern of aligning technology investment with business growth objectives.