Head of Information Technology at British American Tobacco (BAT)

ROLE POSITIONING AND OBJECTIVES

The DBS Cluster lead is an EAM Leadership Team [EAMLT] level, strategic business partner who shares ownership with other ESA DBS Portfolio leads and EAMLT for both business and people results. He/she will lead the ESA DBS team, (Transformation Squad and application support engineers: Marketing, Operations and Corporate Services) to execute ESA and Regional DBS strategic roadmap and enterprise financial portfolio strategy. Function as the lead for the ESA Digital DNA cell responsible for Digital DNA enterprise learning, Enterprise Agility, ESA Innovation lead and primary strategic thought leader for DBS and HR people transformation in ESA, communicating digital opportunities to applicable business partners across the Area.

WHAT YOU WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR

• Lead ESA in establishing a close collaborative way-of-work with Regional pillar leads (Corporate services, Operations, Services and Marketing), Global Center of Excellence (COE) Platforms, Global CoE Innovation and Digital DNA.
• Responsible for defining short- and long-term roadmap for ESA Digital DNA in collaboration with ESA Portfolio leads,
• Provide direction and oversight to EAM DBS team: Services, Leaf, Operations, including third-party partners (transformation squad) in close collaboration with the ESA Portfolio leads.
• Responsible for gaining organizational alignment of ESA Digital DNA strategies and initiatives and delivery of ESA Digital DNA initiatives on time and within budget: Learning, Data, Automation, Software and ESA ELT interventions.
• Provide direction and leadership for ESA Transformation Squad in machine learning, artificial intelligence, citizen developer program (CDP), citizen data scientist (CDS) program, agile ways of work.
• With the Head of Function, develop the roadmap for ESA Digital DNA, influence and champion adoption and execution through the ESA Portfolio Managers, ESA Transformation squad and ESA Agile coach, measure the impact and report back to the ESALT, Global Digital DNA team and ESA Cluster leadership (South Africa, South African Markets and East African Markets).
• Plan benefits and value realization through initiative and enterprise agility development
• Act as a strategic visionary in the Digital DNA space, both establishing potential for further improvements, opportunities for optimization of existing initiatives and ongoing accountability monitoring of results benefits versus commitment as well as understanding tactical execution
• Partner with the business (HR) to build and execute employee transformation roadmaps that are aligned with business strategies and highlight opportunities for transforming the business by embracing advanced technology capabilities
• Build and lead digital-focused cross-functional teams as part of the ESA Digital DNA outcomes, which embrace technologies and improve processes that increase performance, sales, quality, and safety metrics.
• Facilitate "Art of the Possible" digital transformation discussions with global teams, other DRBUs and external CPGs,
• Use agile methodologies to ensure Portfolio backlog is aligned, maintained and achieved throughout project cycles and specifically the ESA Transformation squad,

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Bachelor's degree or greater in Computer Science, Data Sciences, Supply Chain Operations, Management of Information Systems, Engineering or Business Management or related discipline
• MBA/MSc / Graduate degree or progressive educational certificate preferred
• 12+ years of functional experience in the business function, among which 3-5 years of Team Leader experience
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, supply chain and facilitating the development and implementation of business initiatives and projects based on management objectives
• Profound understanding of the CPG industry and how to use change management best practices, disciplines, and technology to achieve business objectives
• Ability to communicate and influence multi-disciplinary teams developing solid partnerships across functions to drive measurable collaboration, consensus, and operational results
• Leadership experience in digital strategy deployment and uses of automation in world-class production facilities
• Track record of project delivery success that should include: System Implementation / Integration, cost savings, process improvement, production capacity improvement,
• Strong functional knowledge of ERP, Digital Sales and Distribution Systems, and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) with broad IT expertise in various disciplines (system development, infrastructure, support, continuity) and new technologies
• Experience in supplier management, Project Management, Waterfall and Agile methodologies, Prince II and ITIL
• Strong analytical skills, demonstrated organizational and leadership skills, examples of effective teamwork, a track record of consistently meeting deadlines and due dates
• Excellent judgment, interpersonal skills, cultural awareness and professional maturity with executive presentation experience, comfortable interacting with senior executive leadership, lead, facilitate and manage change effectively
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• SAP experience preferred