IT Head (Trading & Distribution/Manufacturing)

Job Overview

Spearhead the company's technology initiatives, with a strong emphasis on integrating AI, data analytics, and cloud infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency, business intelligence, and innovation. The Head of IT will oversee ERP, CRM, applications, vendor management, infrastructure, and cybersecurity, ensuring that all technology investments are aligned with business objectives and support the organization's AI-driven strategy.

Strategic IT Leadership

• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Business Unit stakeholders to create and execute IT strategies that align with business goals.
• Identify, assess, and integrate emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency and overall business performance.
• Lead the migration of IT infrastructure from on-premise to cloud-based environments, driving the organization’s digital transformation.

Team Management & Development

• Lead and mentor a high-performing IT team, cultivating a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear performance goals and offer opportunities for professional growth.
• Create a learning-focused environment to enhance the company's ability to adapt to technological advancements.

AI and Data Analytics Initiatives

• Lead AI-driven initiatives to optimize business processes, including automation and machine learning applications.
• Build a comprehensive data analytics framework to harness business intelligence for improved decision-making.
• Design and manage the organization’s data architecture and governance, ensuring data accuracy, availability, and security across all systems.
• Advocate for the adoption of advanced analytics and AI to foster innovation and enhance operational efficiency.

IT Operations and Infrastructure

• Supervise daily IT operations, ensuring the stability, security, and reliability of all systems and services.
• Manage IT infrastructure, including networking, server management, and cloud services, ensuring scalability and resilience.
• Establish and enforce best practices for IT operations, covering monitoring, incident response, and disaster recovery.

ERP, CRM, and Business Applications

• Oversee the deployment, maintenance, and optimization of key business applications, particularly ERP and CRM systems on the Microsoft platform, ensuring alignment with business needs and providing actionable insights through business intelligence tools.

Cybersecurity and Data Governance

• Create and enforce strong cybersecurity policies to protect data and systems from threats, ensuring compliance with regulations and industry standards, including data protection and PCI laws.
• Lead data governance initiatives to ensure effective stewardship and risk management.

Project Management

• Lead and manage IT projects from start to finish, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and alignment with strategic goals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives and ensure smooth integration of new systems and processes.

Budgeting & Financial Management

• Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation for operations and capital expenditures.
• Prepare and present budget proposals and financial reports to senior management, aligning IT spending with business priorities.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with external IT vendors, negotiate contracts, and oversee service level agreements to ensure quality service.
• Serve as the main point of contact between IT and business units, ensuring alignment with business needs and providing technical guidance.

Innovation and Emerging Technologies

• Lead the adoption of emerging technologies, focusing on AI, cloud computing, and data analytics, to drive business growth and efficiency.
• Continuously assess and implement IT innovations that align with the company’s strategic goals and needs.

Other Responsibilities

• Attend meetings, briefings, and training sessions as required.
• Perform any other reasonable duties as assigned by management.
  

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience leading IT teams and managing IT operations, including ERP, CRM, and business applications (Microsoft platform preferred).
• 3-5 years of experience in AI, machine learning, and data analytics, with a focus on cloud-based AI/ML workloads (Azure).
• Strong expertise in data governance, data modeling, and data security, with hands-on experience building Data Lakes and Data Warehouses.
• Proven experience in managing IT infrastructure (on-premise and cloud) and transitioning to cloud-based environments.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity, regulatory compliance (GDPR, PCI), and risk management best practices.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, and overseeing service delivery.
• Excellent leadership and project management skills, with experience managing cross-functional teams and overseeing IT budgets.
• Proficiency in coding with Python, R, SQL, and experience in AI/ML model development, automation, and cloud services is a plus.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of interfacing with senior leadership.
• Experience working in commercial industries such as trading, distribution, logistics, or e-commerce.