At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation across EMEA manufacturing plants using AI and innovative technologies.
- Company: Join Vertiv, a leader in operational excellence and digital innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of manufacturing.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant career growth potential and exposure to cutting-edge technologies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving Industry 4.0 initiatives and transforming operations.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing and digitization; strong leadership and technical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
The Digitization & AI – EMEA Regional Leader is a senior expert individual contributor reporting directly to the EMEA Sr Operational Excellence Director. This role leads Pillar 2 – Digitization within Vertiv’s EMEA Operational Excellence organization, covering 10 manufacturing plants across the region. The role is responsible for architecting and accelerating Vertiv’s digital manufacturing transformation by identifying, piloting, and scaling innovative digital and AI-driven solutions — enabling data-driven decision-making, operational visibility, and a connected, intelligent shop floor across all 10 EMEA plants. The successful candidate bridges deep technical expertise in Industry 4.0 and AI with strong program management and change leadership capabilities to deliver measurable operational outcomes.
Location: Based at any of Vertiv's EMEA plants or offices. The role will involve approximately 50% travel across EMEA manufacturing locations. Proximity to an international airport would therefore be beneficial.
Key Responsibilities:
- Digital Transformation Strategy & Roadmap: Own and continuously evolve the EMEA digital transformation roadmap across all 9 manufacturing plants, aligned with Vertiv’s global Operational Excellence and Industry 4.0 strategy. Conduct structured digital maturity assessments at each plant, define short- and medium-term digitization priorities, and translate high-level business objectives into concrete initiatives with clear owners, timelines, and ROI projections. Engage plant managers, operations directors, and senior leadership to build buy-in and ensure strategic alignment on digital priorities, monitoring roadmap execution and identifying risks and course corrections. Develop multi-year site-level digital roadmaps integrating data infrastructure, platform standardization, AI use cases, and capability-building milestones.
- Digital Solution Piloting & Scaling: Identify, evaluate, and recommend digital solutions across the manufacturing value chain, including MES, IoT sensor platforms, digital twins, AI/ML analytics, real-time dashboards, and paperless shop floor tools. Design and manage structured pilot programs: define scope, success criteria, KPIs, timelines, and resource requirements; run pilot reviews; document lessons learned and scale proven solutions to full EMEA deployment. Build and maintain a digital solutions catalogue — a living repository of evaluated, piloted, and deployed technologies — enabling informed and accelerated decision-making across sites.
- IT & Operations Alignment: Act as the primary liaison between IT functions (infrastructure, cybersecurity, architecture) and plant Operations teams, ensuring digital initiatives are technically sound, secure, and operationally feasible. Drive the integration of OT (Operational Technology) and IT systems for end-to-end digital connectivity across the shop floor and enterprise systems (ERP, SCADA, PLM, LIMS). Define and enforce data architecture standards, data governance policies, and system integration protocols to ensure consistent and reliable data flows; manage escalations and resolve technical or organizational barriers to digital project progress.
- Industry 4.0 & Artificial Intelligence Initiatives: Champion Industry 4.0 adoption across EMEA plants by identifying and implementing use cases including connected machines (IIoT), predictive maintenance, computer vision quality inspection, digital twins, and AI-assisted process optimization. Lead the assessment, selection, and implementation of AI/ML models in partnership with data science teams and technology vendors, ensuring solutions are explainable, validated, and trusted by operators. Stay current with emerging Industry 4.0 and AI/ML technologies, evaluating their applicability to Vertiv’s EMEA manufacturing context and presenting business cases to senior leadership.
- Data, Dashboards & Performance Monitoring: Design and deploy robust data collection frameworks at each plant, defining critical data points, collection methods, data quality standards, and integration pathways. Develop real-time operational performance dashboards (OEE, throughput, quality, downtime, scrap, energy) using BI/analytics platforms, enabling site leadership to manage by fact and shift from reactive to proactive performance management. Collaborate with plant process engineers and quality teams to identify high-value analytics use cases that drive measurable operational improvement; ensure data accuracy and completeness through validation routines and data stewardship roles.
- Change Management & User Adoption: Develop and execute comprehensive change management plans for all major digital deployments, addressing user readiness, communication, training (train-the-trainer, e-learning, on-the-job), and post-go-live support. Establish a digital champions network within each plant; define and track user adoption KPIs (system utilization rates, data entry compliance, digital vs. paper transactions) to measure change management effectiveness. Partner with the LSS Black Belt and Lean / CI EMEA Leaders to ensure coherent, integrated transformation across all 10 EMEA plants.
Qualifications:
- Required: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical), Computer Science, Information Systems, or Manufacturing Technology. Minimum 7–10 years of professional experience in manufacturing, operations, or industrial engineering, with at least 5 years focused on digitization, Industry 4.0, or operational technology. Demonstrated track record of successfully leading digital transformation programs across multiple manufacturing sites, from strategy definition through full-scale deployment. Hands-on experience implementing or managing MES, SCADA, IoT, ERP shop floor modules, or digital analytics platforms in an industrial or manufacturing environment. Deep familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies: IIoT, digital twins, OPC-UA, edge computing, cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP). Strong understanding of AI/ML concepts and their application in manufacturing: predictive maintenance, quality inspection, process optimization, and anomaly detection. Proficiency with data analytics and BI tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar) and ability to design operational dashboards and KPI frameworks. Fluency in English; additional European languages a strong plus.
- Preferred: Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Systems, Data Science, or Information Technology. Industry 4.0 / Smart Manufacturing certification (CESMII, MESA International, or equivalent); PMP or PRINCE2; Prosci ADKAR Change Management certification. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt; cloud platform certifications (Azure IoT, AWS IoT, or Google Cloud). Background in data engineering or data science; experience in industrial manufacturing, electronics, energy, or critical infrastructure sectors.
Application Requirements: Please submit your CV in English.
Digitization & AI - EMEA Regional Leader employer: Vertiv Holdings
Vertiv is an exceptional employer that fosters a high-performance culture and prioritises employee growth through continuous learning and development opportunities. With a strong commitment to teamwork, integrity, and customer focus, employees are encouraged to innovate and take ownership of their roles, all while enjoying a supportive work environment that values diversity and inclusion. Located in the UK and Northern Europe, this role offers the chance to engage with strategic accounts, driving meaningful relationships and contributing to impactful solutions in the data centre and IT infrastructure sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Digitization & AI - EMEA Regional Leader
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Vertiv Holdings, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Digitization & AI - EMEA Regional Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Vertiv Holdings specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vertiv Holdings
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Vertiv Holdings, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Vertiv Holdings value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
