Head of Business Systems in Alconbury

The Head of Business Systems plays a key strategic role in shaping and delivering MM Flowers’ enterprise systems strategy, enabling digital transformation and operational excellence across the organisation. This role provides leadership and oversight for all business systems, data integrations, and technology solutions that underpin MM Flowers’ operations. The postholder will work closely with business stakeholders, IT teams, and external vendors to ensure that systems are scalable, secure, and aligned to strategic business goals.

The position is responsible for optimising system performance, delivering transformational programmes such as ERP and IBP implementations, and ensuring that MM Flowers’ technology landscape evolves in line with business growth and innovation objectives.

• Develop and deliver a clear enterprise systems strategy and roadmap aligned with the company’s overall digital transformation plan.
• Define governance and frameworks to ensure system integrity, performance, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure all business systems deliver secure, reliable, and scalable performance.
• Drive system standardisation, integration, and automation to improve operational efficiency and business insight.
• Lead and deliver large-scale business system transformation projects, including ERP, IBP, and other enterprise-level programmes.
• Champion adoption and change management across departments to ensure seamless implementation and user engagement.
• Act as the strategic link between technology and business functions including Supply Chain, Finance, HR, Operations, and Commercial.
• Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and external vendors to deliver maximum value.
• Lead and develop a team of Business Systems professionals, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Build a high-performing culture that supports innovation and excellence.
• Establish clear KPIs to track system availability, performance, ROI, and user satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with IT governance, data protection, and security standards.
• Define and deliver the Group-wide enterprise systems roadmap, ensuring alignment with business strategy.
• Provide expert leadership across all business applications, integration layers, and data management platforms.
• Collaborate with the CIO to ensure business systems support company-wide transformation and operational goals.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of core business systems such as ERP, CRM, HR, and finance platforms.
• Ensure systems are reliable, secure, and scalable to meet current and future business needs.
• Drive data integration and automation across departments to support informed decision-making and efficiency.
• Lead major system transformation projects, from planning and design to deployment and optimisation.
• Oversee governance, change control, and risk management for all system-related initiatives.
• Ensure that new technologies and processes are adopted effectively across the business.
• Partner with business stakeholders to capture requirements and deliver effective system solutions.
• Manage relationships with technology vendors, ensuring high service delivery standards and value for investment.
• Negotiate contracts and manage vendor performance in line with agreed KPIs.
• Lead a team of Business Systems specialists, setting clear goals and supporting professional development.
• Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across IT and business functions.
• Encourage a culture of innovation, accountability, and excellence.
• Establish governance frameworks for system management, ensuring compliance with policies and standards.
• Monitor and report on system performance, availability, and ROI.
• Implement best practice approaches for data integrity, security, and compliance.

What you can already do:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in senior IT or business systems leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of application architecture, system integration, and data management.
• Experience managing multi-functional teams and complex technology environments.
• Expertise in leading change and adoption programmes across business functions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Experience managing budgets and delivering ROI for technology investments.
• Experience in FMCG, horticulture, food, or related industries.
• Familiarity with SaaS and cloud-based enterprise platforms.
• Knowledge of data governance, analytics, and business intelligence tools.
• Professional certifications in project or change management (e.g., PRINCE2, ITIL, Agile).