Executive Job Description | POSITION SPECIFICATION
POSITION TITLE: Director, IT Applications – North America
REPORTING TO: Chief Information Officer
LOCATION: Southeast USA
THE COMPANY: $7 billion public company
The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of agricultural equipment and related replacement parts. The company offers a full line of products under multiple brands through one of the largest distribution networks in more than 140 countries in North America, South America, Asia, and Europe.
The company’s corporate structure is comprised of three geographic regions (North America, South America, Europe/Asia) and a Global Operations group. Each of these regions has an SVP that leads the respective regional organization with full P&L responsibility and a complete leadership team.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director, Information Technology-Applications North America is the dedicated technology leader for the region and will report directly to Chief Information Officer and matrix/indirect into the Senior Vice President, General Manager, North America. There are 50-75 staff (direct and contract) reporting into this role with the majority based in the corporate headquarters and the remainder based in three manufacturing plants.
By providing senior technology leadership to business partners and the IT organization, it will be critical to develop the long-term IT vision for the business applications in support of overall business objectives through evaluation, selection or development of software projects as well as the deployment of new services or products and the ability to identify emerging application technologies and determine potential for the company. It is also critical to provide the guidance necessary for tactical and strategic systems planning to maximize the return on investment dollars and improve the overall application development process.
As the Global and Regional IT organization continues to evolve, this role will provide overall North American leadership and direction to large, functionally focused application development teams and create a world-class global application development environment, adhering to rigorous development processes, improving efficiencies and overall quality using consistent tools and processes. The ability to develop and maintain an appropriate organizational structure capable of supporting the information needs of operating entities through appropriate and cost-effective information technology will come by closely working with peers and business partners to address business and technology changes.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Experience
The ideal candidate will need to bring a broad range of IT competencies and leadership skills to the role, having 15 or more years of experience with the majority of his/her career spent in the application development arena preferably in an operationally intense environment with broad responsibility for developing, implementing and supporting corporate applications and ERP systems. The candidate should have extensive experience in an advanced/sophisticated IT environment, leading an application development team.
Technical understanding and knowledge of SAP as a comprehensive ERP system is highly desirable. Currently, JD Edwards is in use to drive the North American operations and the system supports manufacturing planning in the regional plants where there is strong use of web services to facilitate world class supply chain practices. The plan is to introduce SAP in the future so experience in transitioning systems would be a plus. In this operational focused environment, the ability to maintain contact with IT suppliers and understand current technology is necessary. Inclusive of pricing and terms of agreements to minimize the investment required to meet established service levels while constantly evaluating alternatives, performing appropriate cost benefit analysis, and bringing solutions that minimize costs and mitigate risks. The candidate should have exposure to the management of internal and external regional audits to ensure Sarbanes-Oxley compliance in order to ensure this compliance.
The successful candidate will bring a highly collaborative style that is comfortable operating in a flexible, matrixed environment. In addition to obvious technology and functional skills, strong leadership tendencies and demonstrated written and verbal communication skills will support this leader’s daily interaction with the IT and business organizations.
Key characteristics of this executive include the following:
• Capable of leading teams to produce high quality, efficient applications and to prioritize the application portfolio options delivering on time and within budget, and effectively responding to the high impact business requirements of the company.
• Ability to reinforce consistent application development methodologies while dealing with the ambiguity and challenges associated with a large-scale, complex company.
• Strong team work and interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and persuade at all management levels.
• A quick study who is able to rapidly gain the confidence of the organization. Is perceived, and acts like, a general manager and strategic business partner to end-users.
• A person who has the courage of his/her convictions. Demonstrates a progressive, can-do attitude and the savvy of a business partner. He/she is a focused, decisive colleague who has a sense of humor and an appreciation for the challenges facing a global company.
Competencies
Based on the above priorities, the successful candidate will possess the following key competencies inherent in being a successful IT executive and business partner:
Results Orientation: The successful candidate will be energized by new challenges and creating better ways of doing things, so that higher levels of performance are possible. He/she will proactively introduce incremental improvements to enhance business performance, using analysis and benchmarking.
Collaboration/Communication Skills: The successful candidate will be effective in actively engaging with peers, partners and others who are not in their direct team, to positively impact business performance. This will be evidenced with strong written and verbal communication skills to ensure clarity of objectives and outcomes.
Team Leadership: The successful candidate will actively engage the team to develop plans and resolve issues through collaborative problem solving. He/she creates a clear sense of team identity and holds the teams accountable for meeting goals and agreed plans. This person also empowers the team to identify and solve problems, providing the necessary support, and rewarding individual initiatives beyond expectations to advance the common goal.
Change Leadership: The successful candidate is able to mobilize others and drive for improvement through people while transforming and aligning an organization in a new and challenging direction. He/she will have prior experience leading in a dynamic environment with necessary metrics and tracking to ensure progress.
Strategic Orientation: This individual will be able to articulate evolving priorities for the business, spot previously unidentified business opportunities and adapt short-term plans. The successful candidate will have passion for technology.
EDUCATION:
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related discipline is required. Although not required, candidates with a Master’s degree will receive preference. IT certifications will be favorably considered.
COMPENSATION:
A competitive cash compensation and benefits package will be offered to the appropriate candidate.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Diane Gdula
Executive Search Consultant
dwsrecruiter@dupontws.com
gduladi@gmail.com |
