Head of Operational Technologies and Industrial Automation

At Nizmara Consulting, we pride ourselves on being the premier destination for executive search and talent acquisition, where excellence meets expertise. With a team of seasoned consultants possessing unparalleled industry knowledge and hands-on experience, we specialize in delivering top-tier talent across a diverse range of verticals including; Technology, Financial Services, Banking & Insurance, Healthcare & Life Sciences, E-commerce & Retail, Construction, Engineering & Manufacturing. We leverage tailored solutions backed by industry insight, exceptional talent, strategic partnerships, and a proven track record of success boosting business outcomes.

Are you ready to lead transformative change at the heart of a rapidly growing PIF - owned manufacturing company in Riyadh? We are thrilled to announce an exceptional opening for the role - the Head of Operational Technologies and Automation (OT&A). As a respected recruitment agency, we are delighted to present this senior position that promises to redefine the landscape of supply chain technologies and automation.

In this pivotal role, you will spearhead the OT&A function within IT, driving innovation and efficiency throughout the organization's supply chain and manufacturing processes. Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), you will be entrusted with the strategic direction of OT&A, overseeing its implementation, and ensuring alignment with overarching business objectives.

Note: This is an on-site position in Riyadh and we will only consider Saudi citizens.

This is an industrial automation and operational manufacturing technologies with general IT know-how. We will not prioritize pure IT - oriented profiles.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Sets the strategy of the OT&A organization to maximize the success of business and IT enterprise initiatives.
• Introduces innovative, differentiating OT&A capabilities that enhance our overall competitive capabilities and enhance employee productivity.
• Works with the IT senior leadership team on the service portfolio and governance required to prioritize resources, including budget. Works with key stakeholders to measure and prioritize technical debt remediation.
• Builds successful stakeholder relationships with other IT and business key stakeholders by developing a clear understanding of business needs, acting as a trusted advisor, and ensuring cost-effective delivery of OT&A services to meet those needs.
• Develops and controls the annual OT&A budget to ensure that it's consistent with the overall strategic objectives of IT and the enterprise and is within plan. Creates a culture of continuous cost optimization.
• Collaborates with Head of I&O to support and extend IT Service Management (ITSM) landscape to the OT&A, based on best-practice processes, disciplines, and related toolsets. This includes delivery of a comprehensive OT&A asset management program.
• Collaborates with the IT Security Officer to ensure OT&A contributes to, embraces, and applies OT&A security strategy.
• Drive development and adoption of OT&A technologies across the manufacturing enterprise that improve sustainability and operational capability.
• Operates a formal governance mechanism to establish and monitor effective controls for the processes and functions performed by OT&A team. Supports periodic reviews by audit teams, compliance teams and other risk-related functions as required.
• Develops and executes a strategy to improve awareness of the business value that the OT&A function provides, and continuously seeks to ensure alignment to customer needs.
• Develop detailed project plans and execute projects on time, in scope and budget that support supply chain goals and improve operational capability.
• Improves OT&A resilience by executing strategies that improve reliability, tolerability, and disaster recovery readiness.
• Keeps track of trends and provides direction on what emerging technologies should be incorporated into OT&A products and services to successfully deliver overall IT strategy.
• Champions OT&A involvement in the organization's innovation efforts and encourages experimentation with new solutions to avail business opportunities.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight for the full life cycle of OT&A systems, working in close partnership with peers, and identifies where common approaches, solutions, and shared platforms provided by OT&A could drive efficiency.
• Develops an OT&A sourcing strategy and provides oversight for strategic vendor and partner relationship management.
• Develops the maturity of OT&A to improve efficiency, deliver new innovations and increase collaboration with other IT and business areas (e.g., through Agile, DevOps, platform, and product approaches).
• Drives the adoption of (and commitment towards) service improvements through a programmatic approach to continuous improvement which also measures impact and shares results.
• Supports the CTO and Enterprise Architect by implementing OT&A solutions that align to the enterprise architecture framework and roadmap.
• Serves on OT&A planning and policymaking committees; drives the development and adoption of enterprise technology standards, governance processes and performance metrics.
• Continuously evaluates the business value of OT&A, including the use of metrics such as Key Performance Indicators, Outcome Driven Metrics and Objectives and Key Results.
• Collaborates with peer IT Leaders to ensure knowledge and insight can be freely shared.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s or master's degree in computer science, information systems, business administration, related field from reputable universities in Turkey or abroad
• At least 10 years of experience managing and supporting controls and automation, and systems integration in a manufacturing, system integrator or OEM environment
• At least 5 years of experience in operational technologies & automation, including manufacturing process control systems, networking, supply chain and logistics automation, warehouse management, IoT systems and devices and IoT security management
• At least 5 years of experience within the industry as a practitioner and manager in Food and Beverage/Process Manufacturing domain - managing manufacturing process control applications, supporting software and databases, support, and ongoing process improvement efforts
• Effective influencing and negotiation skills in complex environments where resources required for success may not be in direct control of this role
• Provide leadership in knowledge transfer and implementation of approved standards and practices for IT/OT systems, IoT, network implementation, PLC’s and field devices, IT systems and IT/OT Security
• Provide production support and maintenance for enterprise systems including Environmental Health & Safety, OEE and Plant Key Performance Metrics, Process Controls and Automation, reporting and analytics systems for Operations, and others as directed.
• Consolidating operations capabilities in large, complex manufacturing organizations to deliver improved efficiency, while balancing customer preferences for agility.
• Very good analytical, strategic conceptual thinking, strategic planning, and execution skills
• Ability to build consensus, make decisions based on many variables, and gain support for major initiatives
• Self-starter who self-assesses and solicits feedback from others to improve their performance
• Strong business acumen, including Pharma or Consumer Goods industry, domain-specific knowledge of the enterprise and its business units
• Maximizing effectiveness of nearshore / offshore resource models
• Deep understanding of current and emerging OT&A technologies and practices, and how other enterprises are employing them
• Applying OT&A capabilities to achieve regulatory or statutory compliance requirements.
• Developing governance practices to track and measure the quality of services, and maintain service improvement plans
• Third-party management, working closely with sourcing and vendor managers
• Ability to travel up to 50% (Riyadh & Jeddah).
• Native Arabic and excellent command of both written and spoken English are must.

BENEFITS:

Competitive salary; Car Allowance; Eduction fee support for children; Private medical cover; Maternity/paternity; Annual leave; Cycle to work Scheme; Discounted gym membership.