Head of Connectivity Platforms

Head of Connectivity Platforms Applications & Platforms

Location Krakow Poland

Subject to Consultation

About the role

Reporting into the Director of EMEA Applications & Platforms we have a very exciting opportunity for a Head of Connectivity Platforms within our Applications & Platforms I&T team.

As the Head ofConnectivity Platformsyou will be responsible forthe strategy roadmap architecture development and deployment of DS SmithConnectivity solutionsand the supplier management scope are allConnectivitysystems in use and development enterprise wide in different divisions and group functions.

The Head ofConnectivity Platformsprovides application specific advisory and analysisexpertise leading and managing distributed teams of application specialists and / orthird partyapplication providers.

Key responsibilities for the Head of Connectivity Platforms are:

Strategy planning and Application Portfolio Management

• Own Application Portfolio Management fortheapplicationsin scopemaintainingan up to application catalogue and defining the strategy for each application.
• Develop andmaintainthe Application and Data architecture
• Provide input into the design of new and the redesign or decommissioning of existing applications.
• Overseeservice design & acceptance ensuring effective handover to supportfrom project/deliveryteams.

Business engagement advice and guidance

• Develop andleveragecollaborative working relationships with all partners within DS Smith I&T and the wider business to deliver the end-to-end service.

• Act as a technical expert and work closely with the business to help them fully realise the business potential of their current applications to improve business performance.

• Assists the Division ininitiatingideas developing businesscasesand successfully deploying I&T projects.

• Meet I&T Business Partners and key business representatives regularly tomonitorprogress against developments.

Lead and manage people

• Make sure your team has the right structurepeopleand skills to deliver effectively.

• Lead and motivate your team providing coaching and guidance.

• Ensure your team are clear on their responsibilities receive regular feedback on performance and utilise the range of career development options available.

• Inspire your team to continually improve ways of working.

• Create an environment which rewards team success and job satisfaction

Application sustainability and optimisation

• Drive service continuity and key user groups providing front foot monitoringidentifyingissues before theyimpactperformance and overseeing the introduction of change to new and existing systems.

• Responsible for the life cycle management working with relevant I&T teams and vendors so that the required projects are planned and delivered to ensure continuous business operation.

• Work collaboratively with suppliers and the business toidentifyand implement improvement recommendations to minimise costs and maximise value.

• Manage the resolution of major incidents keeping business and I&T stakeholders informed at alltime.

• Ensure problems are investigated and resolved

Supplier and contract management

• Perform the overall management of the core application vendors

• Own relationships and contracts with partners and suppliers to meet key performance indicators and agreed targets overseeing issue resolution where required.

• Contribute to orbe responsible for negotiation of major contracts.

About you

• Highly experienced in IT leadership preferably in a multi-site multi-country manufacturing environment withknowledge of a broad range of business functions and technology platforms.
• Demonstrable knowledge ofapplicationmanagement experience withdemonstratedexperience drivingbusinessengagement andvalue creationas well as3rdparty performance.

• Knowledge of and experience of use of the Boomi Platform together withknowledge of other Connectivity tools and solutionscoveringEDI API and ETL

• Able to work in a matrix organisation with cross-functional teams.

• Prince2 practitioner qualification and experience in major implementation projects. Familiar with both waterfall and agile approach.

• ITIL qualification and/or experience working in an ITIL environment

• Good working knowledge of incident problem management and change management tools

• Possess deep understanding of I&Tapplication management.

• Display a strongbusiness drivenbackground withvalueawareness understanding the business needs and excellent business judgement.

• Innovative attitude leading the division into Digital opportunities

• Be able to manage relationships across the organisation at multiple levels.

• Strong leadership to inspire and motivate and strong ability to develop self and others through continuous learning sharing best practicesknowledgeandexpertise.

• Bachelor or MastersDegree in computer science information systems business administration or related field or equivalent work experience.