Head of IT

Role Summary

We are seeking a seasoned Head of IT to oversee and drive the entire IT landscape of the organization, with responsibilities ranging from infrastructure and security to applications and vendor management. This role requires a strategic leader to ensure robust IT operations that align with business goals and foster innovation.

IT Infrastructure Management

• Lead the design, deployment, and upkeep of the IT infrastructure including servers, networks, data centers, storage solutions, cloud platforms, and user computing setups.
• Guarantee high system availability, scalability, and optimal performance to support core business and manufacturing operations.
• Establish and maintain infrastructure standards, architectural roadmaps, and comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity strategies.
• Manage capacity planning, software/hardware upgrades, patching, and lifecycle management of assets.
• Formulate and implement cloud migration/adoption strategies focusing on hybrid and cloud platforms to optimize costs and meet business demands.
• Monitor uptime and service level agreements ensuring minimal downtime through proactive incident handling.

IT/OT Security and Cybersecurity

• Create and continuously enhance the organization's cybersecurity policies and frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST, and CIS controls.
• Take ownership of enterprise risk management related to information security including vulnerability detection and risk mitigation.
• Administer network, endpoint, identity, access management, data loss prevention, and cloud security controls.
• Lead cybersecurity incident response and audit preparedness, ensuring swift resolution and compliance.
• Ensure adherence to data privacy laws and regulatory standards including GDPR.
• Coordinate regular security audits, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments internally and with external partners.
• Implement security awareness and training programs organization-wide.

IT Project Management

• Oversee the planning, delivery, and governance of IT projects such as infrastructure upgrades, new system rollouts, and digital transformation initiatives, ensuring timely completion within budget.
• Implement project management office practices to prioritize and allocate resources effectively.
• Define project scope, timelines, budgets, and KPIs, reporting progress to leadership.
• Facilitate cross-departmental coordination and manage vendor partnerships.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate risks including change management and user adoption strategies.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation including charters, status reports, and reviews.

IT Applications Management

• Oversee strategy and support for key business applications including ERP (SAP), MES, CRM, and other essential line-of-business systems.
• Ensure integration between SAP, MES, and shop-floor or enterprise systems for seamless data flow across business processes.
• Manage SAP landscapes including modules such as FICO, MM, SD, PP, and QM with upgrades and customizations.
• Lead MES deployment and performance optimization to enhance production and quality management.
• Collaborate with stakeholders from Finance, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sales, and HR to align IT solutions with business needs.
• Drive service levels and continuous improvement in application performance and support.
• Assess and implement new technologies to advance digital transformation and automation efforts.

Vendor Management

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with IT vendors, OEMs, system integrators, and managed service providers.
• Lead vendor selection, contract negotiation, and define SLA and commercial terms in partnership with procurement and legal teams.
• Monitor vendor performance through SLAs and conduct audits to ensure compliance and quality delivery.
• Manage budgets including licensing, AMC, warranty renewals focusing on cost efficiency.
• Explore new vendor opportunities and tech innovations to enhance business scalability and services.
• Ensure all vendors adhere to security, privacy, and contractual obligations.

Leadership and Governance

• Guide, mentor, and manage the IT team spanning infrastructure, security, applications, and project management disciplines.
• Develop IT strategy, roadmaps, and budgeting aligned with company objectives and report to senior leadership.
• Set IT policies, SOPs, and governance frameworks to ensure compliance and operational integrity.
• Serve as a senior leadership member contributing technology insights to corporate strategy.
• Ensure readiness for audits and compliance with external, internal, and statutory requirements.
• Promote a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and digital transformation throughout the business.

Preferred Candidate Profile

• Educational qualifications include Bachelor's in Computer Science, IT, Engineering or related fields; MBA or Master's degree is preferred.
• 20-25 years of advancing IT experience, with minimum 5 years in senior leadership managing multiple IT functions.
• Proven track record handling IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise application landscapes particularly SAP and MES, and extensive IT project portfolios.
• Manufacturing or plant experience is highly advantageous, especially familiarity with MES and shop floor systems.
• Experience negotiating contracts and managing external IT service providers is essential.

Preferred Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or PRINCE2 certification.
• Security certifications like CISSP, CISM or similar.
• ITIL Foundation or Practitioner certifications.
• SAP certifications relevant to implemented modules.
• Cloud certifications such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform are beneficial.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills to correlate business needs with IT solutions.
• Deep expertise in network architecture, cybersecurity frameworks, cloud platforms, and enterprise applications (SAP, MES).
• Excellent project and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficient in vendor negotiation and contract management.
• Effective leadership and team-building capabilities fostering collaboration across functions.
• Exceptional communication skills tailored for technical teams and executive leadership.
• Competence in budget oversight and operational cost containment.
• Experienced in change management and business process reengineering.