- Own the delivery of the technology agenda, translating business objectives into systems, data, and service capability across the operating companies.
- Partner with functional leadership and operating company management to define, prioritise, and deliver technology investments that measurably improve commercial performance, operational efficiency, and regulatory standing.
- Accountable for the security, availability, integrity, and regulatory compliance of information systems and data.
IT Strategy and Governance
- Define and maintain the IT strategy and roadmap in alignment with the Corporate Strategy.
- Determine capital investment parameters, priorities, and risk appetite for IT initiatives to maximise return on investment.
- Advise the management team on emerging technologies and digital trends, including governance of artificial intelligence adoption.
- Maintain the IT policy framework and ensure it remains current against the regulatory environment.
Business Partnering and Digital Transformation
- Engage departmental and operating company leadership to understand functional strategy and agree supporting functional IT strategy.
- Translate business requirements into functional and non-functional specifications for new or changed services.
- Lead identification and delivery of process digitisation and automation opportunities across Finance, Supply Chain, Production, Sales, Quality, and Laboratory functions.
- Act as the internal authority linking technology investment to commercial outcome, ensuring each initiative carries a defined baseline, target benefit, and named business owner.
Project and Portfolio Delivery
- Manage the technology project portfolio, sequencing initiatives against business priority, resource availability, and budget.
- Deliver multi-disciplinary projects within agreed time, scope, and budget constraints, applying consistent project governance from charter through to benefits realisation.
- Provide technology leadership and governance to business-led projects with a systems or data component.
Information Security, Data Protection and Business Continuity
- Identify, classify, remediate, and mitigate vulnerabilities across information systems.
- Maintain and test the disaster recovery plan in accordance with the business continuity policy.
- Ensure compliance with the Kenya Data Protection Act 2019 and maintain readiness for regulatory engagement with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
- Ensure system controls, access management, audit trails, and electronic records meet requirements.
- Deliver cyber security awareness training and manage security incidents through detection, containment, recovery, and lessons learned.
- Ensure reliable, secure, and cost-effective operation of infrastructure, applications, networks, and end-user services.
- Approve and validate IT requests for software, hardware, and service change.
- Maintain the systems and asset register and manage the technology lifecycle.
- Report IT service performance to the management team monthly.
Data, Analytics and Reporting
- Develop and maintain the data and analytics capability, including reporting platforms, data quality standards, and management information delivery.
- Ensure business decision-makers have timely, accurate, and accessible performance data.
Vendor, Contract and Financial Management
- Develop and implement IT service management agreements, operational level agreements, and underpinning contracts.
- Manage vendor performance, escalation, and commercial relationships.
- Develop and manage the ICT operating and capital budget.
Qualification and Experience
- Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
- Master's degree is an added advantage.
- 7+ years' experienceleading IT operations in a large or multi-site environment.
- 5+ years project management
- Demonstrated experience of ERP or business systems implementation.
- Working knowledge of the Kenya Data Protection Act 2019 and operating IT within a regulated manufacturing or laboratory environment.
Professional Certifications (one or more)
- Information security (CISSP, CISM, or CISA).
- Service management (ITIL v4).
- Project management (PMP or PRINCE2).
- Data protection.
- Operating systems: Windows Server 2016 - 2022, Windows 11, Linux fundamentals.
- Identity and productivity: Microsoft 365, Microsoft Entra ID, Exchange.
- Networking: structured networking and wireless (CCNA level or equivalent), enterprise firewall technologies.
- Databases and reporting: SQL Server, Power BI.
- Business systems: SYSPRO ERP, Odoo Enterprise, LIMS, field sales and distribution applications, HR information systems, KRA eTIMS.
- Security: endpoint detection and response, SIEM and log monitoring, vulnerability management, backup and disaster recovery.
- Cloud and telephony: cloud infrastructure and services, cloud PBX.
- Governance: ITIL service management, PRINCE2 or PMP project management.
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Strategic thinking and business partnering ability.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- High integrity and accountability.
- Results-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.