Director of IT Operations and Infrastructure

Kidlington, England, United Kingdom

This is a hybrid role with expectation of working in either our Kidlington or Jarrow office 2-3 days per week.

Essentra’s Global Technology Team’s vision is to create an amazing customer and employee experience, built on a modern, secure infrastructure, effective workspace tools and highly engaged, customer-focused support. We are a customer focussed, technology and data driven business and recognise the key role outstanding technology professionals play in helping us achieve our goal.

We work with modern platforms, SaaS applications and security tools to deliver a comprehensive technology service to our colleagues around the world. The technology team’s scope includes the whole ecosystem of devices, workplace tools & platforms and infrastructure, both on-premise and cloud. The strategic goals of the Director of IT Operations and Infrastructure will be to strengthen Essentra’s technical & security foundations and to create an exceptional employee experience everywhere that technology is involved.

The Director of IT Operations and Infrastructure will possess a strong knowledge of IT operations, including operating systems, security tools, applications, servers, email systems, laptops, desktops, software, and hardware. As well as being hands-on technically, you will be managing an array of technical and non-technical stuff including IT Managers, Support Engineers, and external partners. The role will need to ensure that IT Infrastructure and IT operations are successfully implemented across the global business, manage the efficient operation and availability of systems, administrate the security environment for systems and network, maintain and ensure adherence to Service Levels and support and co-ordinate new projects / products from a technology perspective.

You will motivated to work with a diverse group of people with a clear focus on ensuring customers (internal and external) receive the highest levels of service delivery. You will coach and mentor teammates and peers to deliver value and support others to achieve their goals. You thrive in an environment with high levels of accountability and enjoy taking great ideas, testing and implementing them to move the business forward.

Responsibilities

Accountable for the Global IT Operations and Infrastructure, including the Service Desk and Service Management functions to deliver an effective, efficient and professional service across the organisation globally

Accountable for the planning, design, implementation, operation, maintenance and improvement of Essentra’s global technology infrastructure and operations to meet agreed availability and performance targets within approved capital and operational expenditure budgets.

Setting infrastructure standards and optimised savings targets through the compliant procurement of products and services, in collaboration with Architects, regional teams and Global Procurement.

Overall accountability for Server & Database Infrastructure, Network Services, Unified Communication Services, Storage, Backup Services, Disaster Recovery and Data Centre services including “On prem” and Cloud. This extends to both BAU support and Project delivery (Change).

Responsible for the strategy, budgeting and staffing of Infrastructure, Operations and Service Delivery in a Global organisation.

Maintain essential IT operations, including operating systems, security tools, applications, servers, email systems, laptops, desktops, software, and hardware

IT Service Delivery & Management (Change, Asset, Delivery, Problem, CSI, Capacity, Major Incident Mgmt. etc.).

Infrastructure (Server, Virtualisation, Database, Network, Voice & Unified Communications, Storage, Backup Services, Disaster Recovery and Data Centre including “On prem” and Cloud).

Handle business-critical IT tasks and system improvements

Research and evaluate emerging technologies, hardware, and software

Meeting Users expectations for delivering the Complete and reliable IT Services. Ensuring the 24x7x365 availability of Essentra’s systems and network services up time, adherence to and successful delivery of IT services as per Service Level Agreements

Establishing, writing, and distributing governance and enforcing the governance that’s already in place

Responsible for ensuring procedures meet compliance, legal requirements and technical standards.

Responsible for the design, installation, maintenance, and retirement of the IT infrastructure supporting systems and services

Design and execute long-term plans that assure a company’s infrastructure capacity remains up-to-date.

Identify and measure key operational metrics (service reporting), and establish strategic direction for resources and capacity management.

Ensuring the successful delivery of IT Projects and within the Budget allocated

Ensuring the adherence and efficient usage of IT Budget

Ensuring prompt, efficient and effective services to the Essentra’s user base

Act as an escalation point for critical incidents

Contribute to the global Technology strategy as a member of the Technology Leadership Team

Skills and Experience

Substantial experience working within a multi-national organization with relevant leadership experience in infrastructure & operations management of internal resources and outsourced service providers.

ITIL (minimum Foundation).

Prince 2 or equivalent.

Managing a multi-million pound Budget (OPEX/CAPEX).

Analytical thinking skills.

To have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications at scale (Global organisation).

Experienced in leading cloud adoption, including establishing governance mechanisms, delivering migration projects and modifying the target operating model.

Experience of developing governance practices to track and measure the quality of services and maintain service improvement plans.

Demonstrated experience of delivering mixed cloud and on-premise infrastructure services.

Experience managing and integrating businesses through Mergers and Acquisitions whilst also dealing with consolidation and collaborations.

Preferably proven experience in supporting cloud-based ERP & CRM systems using Microsoft or equivalent technology.

Experience of working in the Manufacturing sector (desirable).

What we offer

Competitive Salary

Private Medical Insurance (Family Cover)

Discretionary Bonus

Car Allowance

Up to 5% matched pension contribution

4x annual salary life assurance

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Employee discounts through Edenred

Eyecare Vouchers

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Essentra plc is a FTSE 250 company and a leading global provider of essential components and solutions, focusing on the manufacture and distribution of plastic injection moulded, vinyl dip moulded and metal items.

Headquartered in the UK, Essentra's global network extends to 28 countries worldwide and includes over 3,000 employees, 13 manufacturing facilities, 24 distribution centres and 33 sales & service centres serving c.74,000 customers with a rapid supply of low cost but essential products for a variety of applications in industries such as equipment manufacturing, automotive, fabrication, electronics, medical and renewable energy.

At Essentra we are ideally looking for individuals who enjoy working as part of a close team, are passionate about what they do and who strive to make a difference. We are always looking to better ourselves and are keen to recruit individuals who like to innovate and improve processes.

As part of our recruitment process you will be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. Documentary evidence will be requested at interview.