Head of I&T Supply Chain

Head of I&T Supply Chain and Operations - Packaging

Location - Europe

Subject to Consultation

About the role

Supply Chain and Operations (Ops) function is a key area of strategic focus and is a growth lever which will accelerate the ambition of our 80/20 strategy, double the profitability of our company and differentiate DS Smith in the market with our most important customers.

The Packaging business has an ambitious strategy to develop a compelling Digital and Data driven Supply Chain and Manufacturing propositions which will power our next phase of growth. The strategy has a heavy focus upon Manufacturing Efficiency and Industry 4.0 capabilities, alongside Supply Chain Planning and Optimisation. With a focus upon scaling Digital and Data driven capabilities across the c 250 global manufacturing facilities that produce our great quality products and supply to our c 30000 global customers.  

The Head of I&T Supply Chain and Operations role will be pivotal in supporting the definition, build and deployment of the supporting I&T strategies and will be responsible for the development of new I&T service capabilities to realise this. 

As the Head of I&T Supply Chain and Operations, you will provide the strategic interface between I&T and the PAckaging Operations and Supply chain  functions.  Acting as the single point of accountability for the performance and delivery of I&T Service, Portfolio, Risk, and Budget within Packaging Operations function. You will build strong relationships through proactive business engagement and be a valued and trusted Head of I&T. The role will have a dotted functional reporting line into Packaging Operation Leadership Team, representing both I&T and the Packaging Operations functions respectively.   

You will be responsible for the business accessing technology innovation and advising on both an internal and external basis, ensuring alignment and delivery of the portfolio and maximising value in support of the business strategy. The role remains the voice of the Packaging Operations into I&T and the voice of I&T into Packaging business; influencing, shaping and prioritising the business and technology change roadmap.   

This role comes with direct reporting lines of functional analysis teams, matrix leadership of tech engineering teams and platforms teams. The role also requires matrix leadership of teams virtually including project management, service and infrastructure teams, with the accountability for the I&T Service, Portfolio, Risk, and Budget. 

Key responsibilities for the Head of I&T Supply Chain & Operations are:

Relationship Management    

• Build and sustain business relationships based on mutual trust and demonstrated value. 

• Identify key stakeholders within the Operational area; define and execute relevant engagement plans. 

• Identify key business forums within the Operational area, and secure a seat at the table for the team and be the voice of IT into the Business and the Business into IT. 

IT Portfolio & Strategy    

• The business partner will ensure that the Business objectives are understood and that the IT strategy is aligned and underpins the delivery of the business strategy. 

• Influence, shape and prioritise the technology strategy and change roadmap. 

• The IT Business Partner will own the IT portfolio and manage the demand for the Operational area. 

• Ensure regular and timely updates on IT strategy and IT enabling portfolio initiatives into the Operational area.  

• Understand market challenges, including customer priorities and competition, and translate where IT Innovation and value can be added. 

• Ensuring that the business has access to effective and efficient technology services, along with the expertise to enable innovation and delivery of a value driven portfolio. 

Risk   

• Responsible for ensuring that all IT Risks at group and local business level are recorded and managed as part of the IT risk management process

Budget 

• Responsible for the preparation, alignment, and delivery of the IT budget for the Operational  area. 

Service Delivery  

• Take accountability for the delivery of services into the Operational  area.  

• Work closely with the IT function  to ensure services are managed and delivered to SLA and expectation. 

• Champion the needs of the business where continuous and service improvement is required to be delivered 

About you

• Highly experienced in a Business Partner Role 

• Demonstrable IOT and Industry 4.0 experience  

• Practical Experience of the PAckaging sector and the dynamics of our industry

• Data Driven Machine Efficiency and Quality Solutions experience   

• Knowledge of Supply Chain Planning and Optimisation  

• Experience of IT Operations and Delivery of strategic Change programmes 

• Previous experience of working within a multinational matrix organisation 

• Strong understanding of Industrial Information Security  

• Agile Delivery Experience  

• Project Management Qualified 

• Degree or other relevant experience