IT Operations Assoc Manager - Digital Transformation (Supply Chain)

The primary objective of this role is to enable, optimize, and digitally transform the end-to-end supply chain by designing, delivering, and sustaining technology solutions that improve operational efficiency, service levels, cost performance, and business agility.

The role acts as a strategic partner to Supply Chain functions—Planning, Procurement, Agro, Manufacturing, EHS, Quality, Warehousing, Logistics, and Customer Service—to ensure technology investments drive tangible business outcomes.

The purpose and scope of the role is to:

• Align Supply Chain business needs with digital & IT capabilities by deeply understanding functional processes and pain points.
• Drive digital transformation initiatives that leverage automation, analytics, AI/ML, and integrated platforms to modernize supply chain operations.
• Ensure seamless orchestration of systems and data across multiple functions and partners to support real-time visibility and decision-making.
• Serve as the bridge between business teams and technical teams, enabling solutions that are technically robust, scalable, secure, reasonable in cost and deliver the intended value.
• Enable continuous improvement and adoption, ensuring that solutions are effectively utilized and continually enhanced to meet evolving business needs.
• Engage cross-functional teams including Finance/Controls, Sales, R&D, Engineering and other external supply chain partners to ensure seamless integration of IT capabilities with business processes.

Business Engagement & Requirement Management

• Act as the primary IT partner for Supply Chain teams across Planning, Manufacturing, Agro, Procurement, Logistics, Warehousing, and Customer Service.
• Proactively identify digital opportunities and pain points by engaging with stakeholders at all levels.
• Gather, validate, and translate functional requirements into clear solution specifications.
• Ensure alignment of all initiatives with supply chain strategy and enterprise architecture.

Solution Design & Functional Leadership

• Lead functional solution design for key Supply Chain processes (e.g. transportation, logistics, warehousing, Agro etc)
• Evaluate technology options and recommend solutions based on fit, scalability, cost, and integration needs.
• Set up and actively lead design workshops, process mapping sessions, and blueprint creation.
• Ensure data, process, and integration consistency across applications.

Project & Program Delivery

• End-to-end ownership of digital initiatives, including planning, vendor coordination, execution, testing, deployment, and hypercare.
• Drive cross-functional teams to meet timelines, quality standards, and business outcomes.
• Conduct and coordinate for UAT (user acceptance test) cycles, ensuring scenarios reflect true operational needs.
• Manage risks, dependencies, and change requests throughout the project lifecycle.

Stakeholder Communication & Change Management

• Provide regular updates on project progress, risks, and decisions needed.
• Prepare communication materials, training documentation, and user onboarding content.
• Foster a culture of digital adoption, helping users confidently leverage new tools and systems.

Data & Analytics Enablement

• Support accurate and timely data flows across systems.
• Collaborate with analytics teams to deliver dashboards, KPIs, and predictive insights.
• Ensure data quality, governance, and integration integrity across supply chain applications.

Value Delivery & Performance Tracking

• Track benefits realization of IT investments (cost savings, service improvements, automation benefits).
• Ensure digital initiatives directly support supply chain KPIs
• Present performance insights and improvement opportunities to leadership teams.

Continuous Improvement & Digital Optimization

• Identify automation, simplification, and digitization opportunities across supply chain processes.
• Lead process improvement initiatives using analytics and automation.
• Influence adoption through training, communication, and capability-building interventions.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure solutions follow IT and cybersecurity policies, regulatory requirements, and audit guidelines.
• Maintain strong controls around change management, access management, and data protection.
• Represent Supply Chain IT in governance forums and architecture councils.

 Application Operations & Support

• Ensure day-to-day stability, performance, and availability of supply chain applications.
• Act as the escalation point for high-priority incidents and coordinate resolution with support teams.
• Drive root cause analysis and permanent fixes to minimize repeated issues.
• Maintain system documentation, SOPs, and configuration records.

Vendor & Partner Management

• Coordinate with technology vendors, implementation partners, and managed service teams.
• Evaluate vendor deliverables, quality, SLAs, and compliance.
• Ensure external partners understand business context and deliver solutions aligned with expectations.

Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Masters in Business Management
• 10–12 years of experience in Supply Chain IT, Digital, or Business-facing roles through Consulting assignments.
• Experience delivering or supporting large-scale digital transformation programs in FMCG or related industries.
• Proven experience in multi-stakeholder, cross-functional environments.
• Exposure to global or multi-market operations

Technical & Systems Knowledge

• Advanced Planning Systems (e.g. APO, Blue Yonder)
• WMS/TMS solutions (e.g. Blue Yonder, SAP EWM/TM)
• Control Tower platforms
• ERP (SAP ECC/S4HANA – core MM, PP, SD modules)
• Understanding of integration technologies (APIs, EDI, IDocs, event-driven platforms).
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g. AWS, Azure) and their use in enterprise applications.