Chief Information Officer

Croda is a FTSE100 organisation driven around our Purpose of Smart Science to Improve Lives. With over 6,000 staff across 39 countries, we are focused on the research and development of novel and highly sustainable raw materials for the Life Sciences and Consumer Care sectors.

The Group CIO will lead the global technology strategy to achieve a truly business-oriented and collaborative culture through a well-defined and implemented multi-year transformation journey. You will lead the global IT function within Croda of over 150 individuals to drive a culture of business partnership and value creation within IT whilst also overseeing large scale capex investment projects over the next 3-5 years.

This is a role for a passionate and change driven CIO looking to support the growth of an ambitious FTSE listed organisation to build a high performing IT function fit for the future.

Who we’re looking for:

• Prior experience in a Global IT Director / CIO role within a publicly listed manufacturing organisation.
• Clear expertise in leading IT technical change transformations (e.g. S4 Hana) in combination with cultural change to position IT as a modern and business-enabling partner for all operating units and functions whilst driving a culture of continuous improvement and feedback at all levels.
• Background in coaching and developing high performance, international leadership teams and individuals to build a high performing and consultative IT culture.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate complex issues concisely and build strong working relationships with cross functional leadership teams globally.
• High level of curiosity and passion for continuous improvement activities to enable an agile and innovative IT function built on clear ROI.
• Value led and visionary leader, able to devise, develop and implement strategic initiatives in a complex business environment and in line with Croda’s values of Responsible, Innovative & Together.
• Empathetic and low-ego leader who is ‘hands-on’ with a supportive, collaborative and solution-oriented mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the organization’s technology transformation strategy driving innovation, modernising our enterprise systems (including but not limited to SAP S4 Hana) and leveraging emerging technologies to boost operational efficiency, customer experience and employee experience.
• Harness the power of data as a strategic asset to optimise the enterprise’s operation and underpin the enterprise’s decision-making process.
• Lead IT function transformation into a business enabling function and renew the end to end delivery model and organisational design to establish a ‘best-in-class’ IT function.
• Effectively partner with the organisation at all levels, including Executive Committee and the Board, by providing timely business insights to define a winning IT and Digital strategy and support their decision-making process.
• Identify the capabilities needed to meet the current and emerging business needs of the organisation such as robust cyber security measures, IP, regulatory compliance and data security.
• Develop the next generation of digital and IT leaders through building inclusive and motivated teams and a high performance team culture within IT.
• Ensure IT strategy supports Croda’s core mission, vision and values through a clear impact on sustainability, safety, customer centricity, people and innovation.
• Manage Group IT Risk assessment and provide regular update to Group Risk Committee regarding risk assessment and mitigation plans.
• Take responsibility for setting and managing the function’s budgets aligned with organisational strategy, ensuring cost efficiency and accountability for technology investments whilst developing metrics to determine the ROI of technology investments and projects.

The role will ideally be located at our head Offices in Cowick, Yorkshire however remote/ home office-based working will also be considered.

Croda recognizes employees as our strength and the diversity they bring to our workforce are directly linked to our ongoing success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.

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