Director, IT Operations APAC

About the role

The IT Operations Director is responsible for delivering all IT services and SLA performance across the region, serving as a strategic IT partner to business leaders and key stakeholders while ensuring the effective operation of infrastructure, service management, end-user computing, cybersecurity, legacy applications, and vendor management across multiple countries. This role leads the regional IT strategy, aligning technology initiatives with business priorities, growth plans, and corporate objectives, while collaborating with internal customers to develop application portfolio strategies and improve information systems. The IT Operations Director builds strong relationships with senior leaders, provides strategic guidance on technology investments and solutions, and works closely with regional and global teams, including Infrastructure, Strategic Applications, Data & Analytics, and Risk Management, to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient IT services. In addition, the role oversees a team of IT Operations Managers, Senior Managers, Territory Managers, and Project Managers, fostering high-performing, multidisciplinary teams and driving operational excellence. As a member of the Global IT Executive Committee, and in some cases the Business Group leadership team, the IT Operations Director contributes to key technology and business decisions that support the organization's overall success.

Key Job Accountabilities

• Building a close relationship with the Business Groups leaders in the region, and addressing business needs with technology thinking.
• Strategic decision making and successful influencing on leadership level
• Lead IT Operations teams to meet internal requirements and service levels, as well as support maintenance of existing applications and equipment and development of new technical solutions.
• Communicate with IT senior peers on a regular basis and lead regular IT leadership meetings.
• Develop team talent and manage teams’ development plans, providing day-to-day management and technical leadership.
• Act as region escalation point for critical/urgent incidents and for internal customer feedback on the IT services delivered in the region.
• Maintain effective communications with vendors, peers, and internal team members in support of assigned projects.
• Ensure there are written project plans, operational procedures and documentation of system designs/configuration and infrastructure configuration.
• Ensure installation, administration, and troubleshooting of IT Infrastructure and other system related components while ensuring best practices are implemented.
• Identify opportunities for continuous process improvement and cost reduction related to synergy targets.
• Monitor and report quality of the services delivered and Key Performance indicators (KPIs)

Qualifications/Requirements

• A technology related bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience/studies. A master’s degree is a plus. 
• 15+ years’ experience in IT or equivalent with supervisory, project management, consulting, and business process reengineering, preferably in a manufacturing environment, with at least 8 years in a management position.
• Proven track record of process standardization, adoption of best practices, service measurement, customer satisfaction monitoring.
• Sound knowledge and practical experience in leading diverse teams and third-party vendor management
• The following knowledge/experiences are considered a plus:

• • Good knowledge of Business Processes in the Manufacturing industry (for ERP-Enterprise Resource Planning & MES-Manufacturing Execution System applications).
  • Windows Active Directory/Group Policy.
  • Networking infrastructure.
  • Disaster recovery testing for full production to ensure continuity of operations.
  • Cloud-based applications and management, including Office 365 Suite, Microsoft Azure.
  • Major Event and Crisis Management.

• Ability to be both visionary and pragmatic. This executive must be able to think creatively about the future of the company as well as be hands-on to drive complex projects to completion.
• Combination of strong technology/analytical skills and business acumen. Strong sense of accountability and business partnership.
• Ability to think strategically and communicate with all levels of management.
• Creative and innovative thinking to challenge current practices and strive for operational improvements. Has the ability to influence with passion and purpose.
• Agility, sound judgment, independent thinking, follow-through, and initiative.
• Must be a problem solver, and adept at assimilating new technologies.
• Effective team builder. Experience motivating cross-functional teams.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with ability to communicate technical issues with both technical and non-technical people
• Good organizational skills and the ability to work well both independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to handle a high degree of ambiguity and a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and to work effectively under deadline constraints.
• High ethical standards demonstrated by the individual’s approach to business and the ability to set that tone for the entire organization.
• Fluency in English (spoken, written).

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