Head of IT

For this role, I specifically want to speak to strong candidates from the FMCG sector, who can commute to the Chessington area on a hybrid basis, and who have strong experience with the D365 Business Central ERP solution.

No sponsorship is available for this role.

If you are a good fit for the above key criteria, please review the detailed job description below, and get in touch with Lorenz Pasch at Hays Technology Recruitment ASAP on (phone number removed) or email me at ASAP.

Lorenz Pasch at Hays Recruitment - full contact details on my LinkedIn profile.

Head of IT | FMCG

Hybrid: Chessington
Package: Competitive

A high-impact technology leadership opportunity within a major FMCG business, taking ownership of a business-critical IT estate at a significant point of transition.

We are looking for an experienced Head of IT from an FMCG background who can assess the existing technology landscape, lead the transition to a new IT operating model and build a clear roadmap across infrastructure, applications, cybersecurity and service delivery.

The opportunity

A leading FMCG organisation is looking to appoint a Head of IT to take ownership of its technology function across a complex, multi-site operational environment.
The business is entering an important period of change following a recent change in ownership. The incoming Head of IT will play a central role in overseeing the transition away from IT services currently provided through the former parent group, ensuring continuity of service while establishing clear internal ownership, supplier relationships and a sustainable technology operating model.
The environment includes Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Azure, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Dayforce and Redzone, alongside established cybersecurity solutions.
This is not simply a BAU leadership position. The successful candidate will be expected to understand the existing landscape, identify risk and opportunity, establish priorities and determine what the future IT and cyber capability should look like.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the IT function across a fast-paced, multi-site FMCG environment.
• Assess the existing technology estate, team capability, suppliers, applications, infrastructure and cybersecurity posture.
• Lead the transition away from IT services provided through the former parent group, protecting business continuity throughout.
• Ensure effective knowledge transfer and establish clear ownership of systems, services, licences, suppliers and technology dependencies.
• Develop and deliver a technology roadmap aligned with operational and commercial priorities.
• Take ownership of IT service delivery, infrastructure, cloud services, enterprise applications and technology governance.
• Oversee the D365 Business Central environment and ensure the ERP landscape effectively supports the business.
• Strengthen cybersecurity governance, resilience, business continuity and disaster recovery.
• Lead and develop the existing IT team.
• Manage strategic technology partners and outsourced providers, ensuring strong service and commercial value.
• Determine the appropriate longer-term sourcing model across internal IT, specialist partners and managed services.
• Work closely with senior leadership and operational stakeholders, translating business requirements and risk into clear technology priorities.

What we are looking for

• Strong technology leadership experience at Head of IT, IT Director or equivalent level.
• Previous experience within FMCG is essential, ideally within food production, food manufacturing or another high-volume operational environment.
• Broad experience spanning IT operations, infrastructure, cloud, enterprise applications, suppliers and cybersecurity governance.
• Strong ERP experience, with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central experience highly desirable.
• Experience leading technology within a multi-site operational business.
• Demonstrable experience managing significant technology change, transition or separation programmes.
• Strong supplier, commercial and stakeholder management capability.
• Good understanding of Microsoft Azure and the wider Microsoft ecosystem.
• Credible understanding of cyber risk, controls, resilience and governance.
• A pragmatic, hands-on leadership style. This role requires someone capable of setting the strategy while remaining close enough to the technology and operation to ensure delivery.

Why join?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of technology at a genuine point of change.
Rather than inheriting a fixed roadmap, the successful candidate will have the mandate to assess the current environment, shape the future IT operating model and determine how technology and cybersecurity should support the business going forward.

Lorenz Pasch | Hays Technology Recruitment | (phone number removed) |

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