Job Purpose

• 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.

Key Responsibilities

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.

IT Service Operations

• 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

Education

• Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Master’s degree is an added advantage.

Experience

• 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.

Technical Skills

• 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.

Core Competencies

• 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.