Head of IT

The Head of IT leads and develops the IT function for a growing, multi-site manufacturer and retailer operating across the UK, Estonia, and China. Reporting to the COO, the role owns IT strategy, service, infrastructure, security, data, and the supplier landscape, and is accountable for turning technology into a commercial enabler as the business grows its e-commerce and international operations. This is a broad leadership role with real scope to build, suited to someone who can set direction and stay close to delivery.

Given the size of the business, this is a hands-on role. The team owns day-to-day operations and service delivery. The Head of IT sets direction, leads the team, and manages the wider technology and supplier landscape, and works alongside the team directly when escalations, delivery pressure, or resourcing require it. Comfort moving between strategy and practical, direct involvement is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & IT Function Leadership: Own the IT strategy and roadmap, aligned to business goals. Build and mature the IT function from its current baseline, set standards and operating rhythms, and ensure the responsible adoption of new technology including AI. Contribute as part of the senior leadership team.
• Team Leadership: Lead, develop, and retain the IT team across multiple sites and countries. Build resilience and cover, reduce key person risk, and support the team's growth and performance.
• Service Delivery & Support: Ensure reliable, secure, and responsive IT service to the whole business, and own the internal experience of IT. Provide hands-on support to the team as set out above when workload or escalations require it.
• Infrastructure, Identity & End User Computing: Own the core platforms, identity and access, devices, and connectivity. Ensure the estate is stable, secure, well documented, and fit for the business.
• Security, Risk & Compliance: Own information and cyber security, data protection, and IT risk. Support audit, certification, and regulatory requirements, and embed good practice across the team and the wider business.
• Business Systems, Data & Integration: Partner with the business to get value from the ERP and integrated systems. Improve data quality and the flow of information across systems, and ensure reporting and analytics meet business needs.
• Demand, Governance & Prioritisation: Chair IT governance, manage incoming demand, and set and maintain the IT workplan and priorities with senior stakeholders.
• Supplier, MSP & Commercial Management: Own the supplier and managed service relationships, including scope, SLAs, performance, and contracts. Manage the IT budget, licensing, and costs, and ensure value for money.
• Process Improvement, Standards & Documentation: Assess business workflows and identify optimisation and automation opportunities. Maintain IT standards, architecture guidelines, governance frameworks, and clear documentation across the estate.